Editor’s note: Following is a review of stories in the final six months of 2023:
July
July 6 -- A Fourth of July story honoring the American Flag dominated this week’s front page of the newspaper. The article reviewed the history of the Flag Code adopted by the 77th Congress on June 22, 1942. The code codifies advisory rules for the “care, display, and respect of theAmerican Flag.”
The Oklahoma Tax Commission reported big increases from last year in sales and use taxes in the county and in Sulphur. The figures represent tax receipts from April business.
The GFWC Sorosis Club celebrated Independence Day with a wreath presentation to the American Legion to be placed at the Murray County Veterans Park. A photo showed the club members posed with the hand-made patriotic wreath at the park.
At the regular meeting of the county commissioners Monday, county Treasurer Kim Hale was sworn in to a second term of office by Associate District Judge Aaron Duck.
Congressman Tom Cole, in his regular column, honored many generations of U.S. service members dating back to the Revolutionary War. On Independence Day, he noted, “we celebrate the freedom we are all fortunate to share with our family and loved ones.”
July 13 -- The city council meeting Monday was packed with citizens, some of whom aired grievances. Complaints ranged from objections to a neighbor’s braying donkeys to complaints surrounding the transition to city owned trash carts. One councilman raised several questions about issues such as the consent agenda items, budget amendments, and payroll questions about regular hours worked vs. overtime pay. An agenda item addressed questions about the airport.
Vandals caused $65,000 in damages to the local golf course. The incident is estimated to have occurred about 2:00 a.m. Sunday. The green might take months to repair, according to the golf course director. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
At their regular meeting, county commissioners met with a recently formed tourism committee to discuss a county lodging tax. The tax would address the need for more hotels, restaurants and venues for tourists as well as enhance beautification in the area, the group was told. Both Sulphur and Davis already have a lodging tax in place.
Recent rounds of storms placed most of the county in a flash flood warning. Torrential rain and high wind caused misery for early morning drivers, leaving some stranded in high-rising waters. Sulphur firemen were called out on several water rescues. During the weather event, about five inches of rain was recorded.
July 20 -- .County commissioners and a local tourism committee are still not in agreement on a proposed lodging tax in the county. At the commissioners regular meeting Monday, two committee representatives submitted a proposed resolution for the tax. Commissioners strongly opposed the proposal and the way funds collected would be handled.
The Murray County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint operation with the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and recovered over $30,000 of stolen property in Sterling, Colorado. Items recovered and returned to owners here included saddles, tack, and irreplaceable bits, according to Undersheriff Ben Flowers.
The final article in a series on the American Flag this week described the design of the flag. Included in this story is what our flag means to people in other countries. The National Anthem with its four song verses also is discussed.
A photo depicted the U.S. Marines valiantly hoisting the Colors on Iwo Jima in 1945. The event is immortalized in a bronze sculpture of that historic moment that is displayed at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
A story remembers what happened after the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a controversial ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma. That was three years ago, and anticipated legal difficulties mostly have not happened. This story explains the success of cross-deputation agreements among the Chickasaw Nation and area and state law enforcement agencies. The result has been mutual cooperation that continues. Legal rulings in the case mean that tribal and federal courts, rather than state courts, are responsible for crimes committed by tribal citizens on reservation land.
July 27 -- A happy sign of a return to public gatherings after the pandemic is the upcoming SHS All-School Reunion and Banquet. The big event will be at Crossway Church in Sulphur Sept. 2. It is open to all grads and guests. The Class of 1963 also will be celebrating their 60-year anniversary.
A story reports on current state of COVID-19 surveillance and response by the CDC. We are entering a “new phase” in the pandemic’s evolution, the agency states. The good news now is the fact that the risk of infection leading to a hospital admission is at low levels. A map of the U.S. shown with the story is all “green” indicating low risk of serious illness in all states.
Another health-related story this week describes efforts by the CDC to address the risks of falls by older adults. The agency reports that, “more than one out of four older people falls each year.” About 36 million falls are reported among older adults each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths, the CDC explains.
The story explains the causes of falls and how to prevent them by better mobility management and reducing home safety hazards.
A heartwarming story featured Davis seamstress Willie White, 89, who makes dresses to send to little girls around the world. Assisting White in the sewing project is her sister Maudie Huggins. The pair has been sewing dresses for 10 years. The dresses and skirts are donated to Operation Christmas Child and packed in shoeboxes for each child to receive a Christmas gift, according to project leader Doris Row.
Congressman Tom Cole, in his column, reviewed the importance of the aerospace and aviation industry in Oklahoma. Noting that “Oklahomans take pride in contributing to the nation in this way,” Cole explained the importance of Congressional support to “keep the aviation industry strong and safe for our state and the entire country.”
Significantly, Cole pointed out that Oklahoma has “the only training center in the country for FAA-certified air traffic controllers.” This is key to our national aviation industry, he says. Moreover, Cole states that a goal of current legislation is “full funding of critical aviation programs through appropriations that will set up Oklahoma and the United States to continue to be a leader in aviation safety, innovation and reliability.”
August
August 3 -- The main story on page one reported on a recent reception at the Artesian Hotel hosted by the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District, OKAInstitute ofAda and Buckhorn Rural Water District. The topic of the meeting was Sulphur area water sustainability. The groups gathered with several local, state, federal and tribal dignitaries present to kick off a $30 million project to bring Arbuckle Lake raw water to Sulphur. One purpose of the project is to ease water usage from the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer, which is the principle water source for approximately 39,000 people in Ada, Sulphur and others in the area.
The City of Sulphur will receive $5 million from the Chickasaw Nation, plus $5 million from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Awards were given honoring efforts to seeks grants for the massive water project. Dignitaries at the awards reception, shown in a photo, included OK House Speaker Charles McCall, Chickasaw Nation Governor BillAnoatubby, and Victoria Tran, deputy director of Energy and Environment for the State of Oklahoma.
City Council members convened in a special meeting recently to approve a request by the city manager to transfer $35,000 from the general fund to the airport fund for fuel purchase for the newly installed fuel tank.
A major art and photography show opened last week at the ARTesian Gallery downtown. More than 50 works of art are entered by members of the local Artists of the Arbuckles. This is the sixth time that the artists group has teamed with the Chickasaw Nation’s art gallery for the show.
Steven Woods of Davis, and Sulphur’s Dusk Monetathchi will square off in an August runoff election for a seat in the Chickasaw Nation Legislature. The Tishomingo District 3 seat was the only contested race in the tribe’s primary election cycle.
A heartwarming story this week details a heroic act by Dakota Duke, 7, who saved his 3-year-old brother Riley from drowning. During a family hiking trip in February in the CNRA, Riley tumbled down a 100-foot cliff and landed in the frigid waters of Rock Creek. Dakota dove down the cliff to render aid pulling Riley from the creek. Park rangers and emergency medical technicians quickly responded. Dakota was presented a plaque honoring his achievement at a Latta Public Schools awards ceremony. Presenting the award were Chickasaw Nation Lt. Gov. Chris Anoatubby and Lighthorse Assistant Chief Terrance Bush.
August 10 -- At the Monday school board meeting, the superintendent reported that the demolition of the west wing, gym and auditorium at the high school is underway. He urged staff, parents and students to be cautious as the construction activities continue after school starts on Aug. 10.
The Murray County National Night Out was held recently at the Crossway Baptist Church parking lot. Visitors could get a close look at various emergency vehicles and services. Entities at the event included the National Park Service Rescue Boat rangers, Medi-flight Helicopter personnel, county EMS and ambulance team members, Murray County Sheriff’s Department, Sulphur and Davis Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, county Emergency Management Office, the Fire Department and the State Game Warden’s office. The OK State Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Identification unit was also on hand to provide free digital IDs with photos of children.
A story relayed the sobering statistic that there is a home fire every 89 seconds in the U.S., according to fire safety experts. Most fire fatalities and injuries occur in homes. There is a home fire death every 204 minutes. Cooking and smoking top the list of fire causes in the home. Kitchens are the riskiest rooms for home fires.
A couple of stories this week offered tips on activities related to going back to school. Another story offered “a little bit of history” about the first atomic bomb blast. The detailed remembrance of the event in July, 1945 was written by the late Glenn O’Neal and submitted by his wife, Donna O’Neal of Sulphur. His was a first-hand account of when he was a teen helping to build the “road to the town where the atomic bomb was developed (in New Mexico).” He added that he “knew the man that flew the plane that dropped the first atom bomb on Hiroshima (Japan).”
August 17 -- The Sulphur Public Schools have filed a “Petition for Declaratory Relief” in Murray County District Court against the City of Sulphur in a dispute over “storm shelter requirements for education building construction.” If relief is not granted the school could be required to construct a safe room large enough to house the capacity of the bond construction improvements on the school campus. The school currently has safe rooms and shelter adequate to service the entire student body and staff, the story explains.
Longtime Sulphur physician, Dr. John Tatom, was honored with a reception on Aug. 10 celebrating his 90th birthday. The event was held at the Arbuckle Memorial Hospital. Tatum came to Sulphur in 1983 as a general surgeon, and later went into private practice here.
Wes Hilliard will succeed Daryl Cunningham as Senior Vice President at Vision Bank and Sulphur Market President. Hilliard is an SHS graduate, and has a Bachelors degree in Political Science/Public Administration from Oklahoma State University. He has a Masters degree in Education from East Central University, and he graduated from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Hilliard also is a Commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Service.
The Murray County 4-H program features an exciting opportunity for hands-on learning for area children and youth. The program’s many project clubs will be featured at a 4-H Open House and Enrollment night Aug. 29 at the county Expo building.
August 24 -- The past lived again this week with a lot of memories about the old SHSAuditorium. Retired teacher and SHS graduate Mary Lou Defratus Heltzel compiled recollections of the building that is scheduled for demolition soon to make way for new facilities at the school. She included memories from 28 former students and herself in the remembrances this week. The story ended with this farewell: “Goodbye old SHS friend. Thanks for the memories!”
The current school year began with a slight increase in enrollment. As of this week, 1,489 students are enrolled for the new year. Superintendent Matt Holder said numbers could go up a little higher as new students are still coming in each week. He added that it is not unusual for schools enrollment to increase after Labor Day. Holder also said that parking during the construction at the high school hasbeen an issue, but students have adjusted to the changes.
Scorching heat is continuing for the second week. So far in August Sulphur has seen 11 days with a temperature of 100 degrees or more. Sunday and Monday were the hottest days so far with 106-degree readings.
August 31 -- The memories just keep on coming in the 2nd of a 2-part series on SHS Auditorium remembrances. These are compiled by Mary Lou Defratus Heltzel. This week’s memories are more recent ones, and there is information about producing quality musical performances at the old auditorium. The demolition work has begun to make way for a new performing arts center, gym, and other major improvements.
A page one photo this week shows Murray County Emergency Management Director Brian McDaniel presenting emergency first aid kits to the schools’ superintendent recently. Kits contain several tourniquets and other possible life saving items in case of an emergency on campus. A Bleeding Control Station also was donated. Access to these stations is recommended by the Stop The Bleed campaign in response to the increase in violence in public settings.
Triple digit heat for weeks this summer and drying vegetation have increased the seasonal risks for grass fires in the state. An estimated half of Oklahoma’s 45 million acres of land are flammable areas of forests, rangelands, prairies, and pastures, according to Oklahoma State University. Wind-driven wildfires can happen in any month. In April 2018 the Rhea Fire burned more than a quarter million acres in western Oklahoma.
September
September 7 -- Excitement is building for the 101st Murray County Free Fair opening Thursday. Page one story details the fair schedule and attractions with dates and times.
A photo shows three youngsters intently engaged in cupcake making. The story is about the new 4-H year and the fact that there is a special group for younger children called the Clover Buds. These youngsters from five to eight years old are not quite old enough for the official 4-H club.
An Oklahoma state plan to address dementias includingAlzheimer’s is described in another front page story. A photo shows the plan document’s cover with a photo of the state bird. The story optimistically describes the CDC’s new approach to dealing with brain health issues. Possibly for the first time, this new plan addresses the idea that we might visualize a future with a cure for Alzheimer’s.
This is a big month for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation as it celebrates its 77th anniversary on Monday. The OMRF is kicking off a statewide campaign to “touch all 77 Oklahoma counties to say thank you for daring to dream in 1946 and for supporting that dream ever since,” said OMRF President Andrew Weyrich, Ph.D. Two former OK governors and their first ladies are chairs for the campaign.
One component of the “77 for 77” campaign is designed to introduce younger Oklahomans to OMRF. The foundation created a hands-on science experiment kit to distribute to seventh-grade classes statewide.
Over the past two decades, the OMRF scientists have won more than $500 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health.
September 14 -- Troubles continue to percolate at the Sulphur City Council. This week’s front page is dominated with city council news. One story traces the ongoing legal actions in the city’s attempts to include construction of a safe room in the Sulphur schools ongoing construction project. The schools received declaratory relief in District Court recently as the city and the schools reached an agreement in the matter. Construction may proceed without the requirement for new safe rooms.
The schools already have safe rooms and shelter sufficient to house the entire student body and staff during school hours.
Another story reports that two separate petitions have been filed with the city clerk asking for recall elections for four councilmen. One petition asks for recall elections for three councilmen, and a second petition seeks a recall election for a fourth councilman.
The city council unanimously approved the last step in finalizing a recall election set for Nov. 14, 2023. The special election would be for recall of Wards 1, 3, 4, and 5 council members.
The 30th annual Murray County Tractor and Implement Show and Fall Festival will get underway this weekend at the tractor club’s show grounds seven miles north of Sulphur. Friday will be School Day when many buses from area schools bring visiting school children.
The Murray County Free Fair concluded its three-day run last Saturday with the horse show competition. A photo this week showed the winners in the popular skillet throw. Another photo of the show features kids playing in the Shelly Schwake Memorial Kids Barn.
New offices have opened in Sulphur for CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. A photo shows the well-attended recent ribbon cutting on W. Muskogee St. in downtown Sulphur. CASA volunteers advocate and represent children before the court because they have experienced neglect or abuse.
September 21 -- Sulphur City Council held a special meeting Monday to discuss a resolution authorizing the codification and notifying the public of the publication of the City’s Penal Ordinances. This action is intended to comply with a state statute that require these “ordinances shall be updated not less than every ten years,” the story states.
Ordinances are published and filed at the county law library. According to the city attorney, the last time stamp receipt on file for the ordinances was in the 1980’s. The city had delivered an updated copy of the ordinances to the law library on Sept. 15, 2023, but according to records at the county clerk’s office, the resolution has not yet been filed. The issue still is confused by a question of legal validity since language was added that did not appear in the original agenda item at a meeting.
Sulphur’s Cliff Agee has been appointed to serve as the House appointee to the Judicial Nominating Commission, according to an announcement by Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. The Speaker is allowed to appoint one of the 15 commissioners. The JNC has jurisdiction to determine whether applicants for judicial office meet the relevant qualifications for the respective office.
The Artists of the Arbuckles opened its annual Art Show Saturday with 58 artworks exhibited. Also on that day the annual Car Show was held downtown. The Best of Show Award in the art show was earned by local artist and teacher Paul Walsh for a landscape painting featuring a country barn. The show judge was Meredith Roberts, a local working artist and teacher from Ada.
Congressman Tom Cole’s regular column this week discussed America’s increasing energy dependence on foreign nations. He explains the Biden Administration is “heading in the wrong direction” by implementing “several misguided and destructive energy policies.” Cole says we need to “unleash our energy producing capabilities here at home” to achieve energy independence.
State Senator JerryAlvord’s column addressed “the record numbers of nurses and other healthcare workers that left the profession during the pandemic.” He said dealing with this issue in the state is “one of the top priorities of the Legislature.”
Alvord praised the nursing program at Murray State College in District 14. Programs offered include a traditional five semester nursing program, or a Career Mobility program for LPN’s, LVN’s and paramedics. He emphasized that “we must continue working to grow and strengthen the nursing field” to meet the needs of communities and an aging population.
An article recognized September as National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Month. It describes the magnitude of the suicide problem in the state. Also described is the 988 Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline offered by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It offers services for mental health crisis calls using operators who are licensed and certified health crisis specialists. More information is available at 988Oklahoma.com.
This issue of the newspaper also featured the Murray County Fair results and the Grand Champion Winners.
September 28 -- The recall brou-ha-ha at the Sulphur City Council continued this week as three councilmen have filed a Petition in Murray County District Court for Protest of Recall Petition. The protest alleges the recall petition filed with the City of Sulphur did not meet requirements set forth in the city charter. The hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 6.
On Sept. 21, the city council met yet again in a special meeting regarding the recent codification issue about the City’s Penal Ordinances. A motion passed that authorized the codification and public notification of the ordinances including the penal ordinances.
A Sulphur area man was charged with first degree murder in the death of his 63-year-old father, according to court documents. Bond was denied in the case. The son was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting on Sept. 24. The location was in the Arbuckle Lake area, just south of Primrose Lane.
On a much happier note this week, front-page photos showed lots of smiling and laughing kids enjoying the displays of frontier life at the Murray County Antique Tractor and Implement Show. Friday was activity and demonstration day for area children and students. Sulphur Middle School sent 43 students to help with demonstrations. Sulphur Elementary School sent 80 kids and 8 adults to the event, the most of all the schools that day. Other attending schools included Mill Creek FFA, Pontotoc Tech. Center, and Springer elementary.
Congressman Cole’s column this week also addressed September as a month to recognize the importance of suicide prevention and maintaining mental health. He describes the prevention lifeline number to call: 9-8-8. This crisis hotline also includes the Veterans Crisis Line for veteran-specific mental health support, Cole explained. The line responds to calls or texts. If you are a veteran press 1 after 9-8-8 for veteran-specific care.
“Oklahoma has become a leader in individual states’implementation of this lifeline,” Cole said. The state has achieved top-ten status as one of the most successful response systems in the country. Cole noted that “Oklahoma’s lifeline is not just for those with suicidal ideation but for anyone in any mental health crisis.”
October
October 5 -- County Commissioners have reported an increase in funds of more than $1.6 million. The increase reflects significant carry over from the 2022-2023 year plus higher interest rates on invested funds and tax collections. At their regular meeting, commissioners reported that the courthouse elevator finally is operational after being out of order for almost a year.
The Sulphur Public School Board, at its meeting, learned of the many homecoming festivities coming up including a pep assembly, a parade, and the king/queen coronation prior to the football game.
High School Principal Clete Cole presented the board with the College Remediation Report. The report for 2021 showed an historically low percentage rate of students required to take remedial classes in college.
The governor has signed into law a bill that ensures schools include in their curriculum instruction on the civil rights movement. Instruction should emphasize that civil rights have a foundation in “natural law and natural rights principles as championed by the movement’s leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the bill’s authors explained.
October 12 -- A dangerous shootout situation developed on I-35 near Davis recently. An officer stopped a man who was fleeing and a shootout erupted. The officer was wounded and a man sitting in a nearby truck was killed by a stray bullet according to reports. A massive manhunt ensued to find the dangerous suspect. Some schools in the area went on lockdown.
A judge tossed out the recent petition to recall three city council members, citing a technicality. The ruling was that the petition did not comply with state statutes requiring certain procedures for publishing the petition such as a WARNING statement on signature pages. With that decided, another hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13 to address a protest over recall petition no. 2. That petition calls for recall of another councilman.
Sulphur High School senior Kinzie Adkison was crowned homecoming queen during ceremonies last Friday. Several color photos this week showed the many homecoming activities during the week. The CNRA announced the annual Historic Candlelight Tours in the Platt Historic District. This year’s theme honors the important work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in helping create today’s park. Actors will depict scenes in the history of the CCC’s work in the 1930s. October 19 -- The recent recall petition protest failed in a hearing held Oct. 6. City Councilman Alan McKay now faces a recall election on Nov. 14.
The six-day manhunt for the suspect in a shooting last week ended on Oct. 10. The suspect’s body was found not far from the original shooting scene, reports indicated. Oklahoma officials determined the suspect died of a self inflicted wound.
The Sulphur Masonic Lodge raised $4,000 for the Murray County Boy Scouts. A photo this week shows the check presentation by the Masons. The donation resulted from a recent fundraiser held by the Lodge.
Congressman Cole’s weekly column addresses what he calls our country’s “worst crisis at our southern border in American history.” He blames the BidenAdministration for “halting border wall construction, tying the hands of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and zero enforcement of existing border.” He adds that reports indicate there are a record number of encounters at the border. Thousands of pounds of deadly fentanyl are being seized at the border. A record number of 151 people have been apprehended whose names appear on the terrorist watch list.
Cole says, “It is unfortunate that the Biden Administration still has no plan to deal with this crisis.” Cole announced, “Earlier this year, House Republicans passed commonsense legislation that would end … the border crisis.” He calls it the “strongest border security bill in U.S. history.”
October 26 -- Trick-or-Treat Night in Sulphur is set for Oct. 31. Parents are urged to practice all safety measures including inspecting all candy. Safety tips for the event are included in an article this week. The Sulphur Foundation for Excellence in Education is proud to be “back in the business of giving,” according to a story on page one. The foundation secretary, Sondra Clagg, reported, “We were able to fund 14 grant applications this year totaling $13,176.27.” A photo showed teachers at the elementary school receiving grant awards from foundation board members.
Chickasaw citizen D. Scott Colbert received the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association 2023 Career Effort and Dedication Award in August. The award honors his “dedication to the success of Indian gaming in Oklahoma.” Colbert serves as commissioner of the Chickasaw Nation Office of the Gaming Commission. For nearly 40 years, he has served the Chickasaw Nation in wide-ranging roles, including the tribal legislature and judicial system.
Pecans are big in Oklahoma, and the “2023 outlook is good with harvest on the horizon,” so says an article from Oklahoma State University. The average pecan harvest in the state is 17 million pounds, and this year’s crop is predicted to be an estimated 22 million pounds. Freezes, drought and wind storms have wreaked havoc on Oklahoma’s pecan crop the past couple of years, the article explains.
November
November 2 --Andy Pannell, 50, has achieved a dream. He has now
(See 2023 In Review, page 8) ran marathons in all 50 states! His milestone achievement came on Oct. 15 in Massachusetts where he completed a marathon. It took him seven years and a 66,802 mile voyage. After the Massachusetts run, Pannell received a large ovation and a special medal of achievement.
Pannell is a Marine veteran. He lives in Sulphur and works at the Chickasaw Telephone Co. here. In an interview in this week’s newspaper, he explained, “I’m 50 years old and I wanted to complete the mission before I turned 51.” He now has 63 marathons to his credit.
Vietnam Veteran Mike West began a 2-part series on the history of the “American War in Vietnam.” The retrospective began by exploring “how did it happen?” A page one photo West took in the Mekong Delta in 1969 shows a soldier of the 9 th Infantry Division exiting a helicopter on an assault mission against a Viet Cong stronghold. Returning to the division’s base, the helicopter was shot down and crashed in a rice paddy. No one was injured.
During a 13-month combat tour in Vietnam, West worked as a Public Information Specialist doing then what he is still doing nearly 55 years later in Sulphur; namely, writing for a weekly newspaper!
As cold and flu season begins, there are new options available to prevent a potentially deadly respiratory virus that tends to peak in the winter. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RS V, causes mild, coldlike symptoms lasting a week or two. The CDC estimates RSV accounts for up to 10,000 deaths and 160,000 hospitalizations annually among adults 65 and over.
Two vaccines were recently approved for older adults, who should consult with their physician to determine whether either vaccine would be beneficial. In an article this week, experts at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation outlined the new RSV prevention options.
Arbuckle Memorial Hospital is joining communities across America in celebration of National Rural Hospital Day on Nov. 16. The annual event honors the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America.
November9 - Sulphur School Board members unanimously approved a $ 1,000 retention stipend for all certified and support staff at the board’s regular meeting Monday. Superintendent Matt Holder noting that teachers and staff “work very hard for our students and our school.” The Principals echoed this support, bragging that teachers and staff go above and beyond for our students.
Murray County Fair Board members approved changes and amendments to the Expo Center Rental Agreement Contract at the board’s regular meeting Monday night. The new contract now allows alcohol with a licensed bartender.
The Sulphur-Davis Elks Lodge has put on a very successful Coats for Kids drive recently. It was the third annual drive. The Elks organization annually orders a minimum of 100 jackets, hoodies and/or shoes for the school districts in the area.
Sulphur’s Parker Memorial Library is one of 50 public libraries in Oklahoma to be awarded health literacy grants. A total of $249,189 was awarded to the library programs. Health literacy encompasses the skills required to find, understand, and apply information for making health-related decisions.
Health literacy initiatives include fitness classes, healthy cooking demonstrations, and gardening programs.
Murray County Extension Educator Debbie Sharp gives valuable advice on “Co-Parenting Through the Holidays” in her regular column this week. Among the suggestions and tips is advice on dealing with children’s range of emotions as they experience their first holiday season in two different homes. “Validate your children’s emotions,” Sharp says.
November 16 — This issue of the newspaper honored the recent Veterans Day with stories about service to country and military history. Color photos on page one showed the floats at the recent veterans parade in Sulphur. The winning float in the parade was the Arbuckle Memorial Hospital float honoring the 100 year history of the local American Legion Post 148.
Another story was the second in a series about the Vietnam War. It was our longest war, and it divided the nation more than any since the Civil War. This article focused on the last few years of the American Vietnam War. It explained strategies and tactics used in the conflict, leading to America’s military leaving Vietnam in 1973. A vintage original photo dating back to 1968 showed a dozen soldiers in an Army Public Information outfit in the Mekong Delta just after the Tet Offensive that was the major turning point in the war.
Congressman Tom Cole, in his column, reported several informative facts about Veterans Day and its meaning to America. He recalled that. In 1954, Congress passed and President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation creating the observance of Veterans Day on November 11. Cole explained that Oklahoma is “proud to be the home to a vast number of veterans.” The state has 291,315 veterans total. Cole’s Fourth Congressional District has 73,537, the greatest number of any of the other four districts. This district also is home to two major military facilities — Fort Sill and Tinker Airforce Base. Cole emphasized the veterans support shown by Oklahoma, saying, “We are proud of the Americans who served our nation and take pride in taking care of them.”
An inspiring story about a dedicated Chickasaw educator was detailed by Dana Lance, a writer with the Chickasaw Nation Media Affairs. Lorinda Chancellor has served as Mill Creek school superintendent for 16 years, a role she aspired to as a young girl. She was inspired by her mother, who taught preschoolers at the Head Start. She credited the Chickasaw Nation for its support that helped her achieve her education goals with grants and scholarships. She now helps all students achieve their goals.
November 23 - Sulphur voters had the final say in the ongoing councilmen’s issues at the city council. They voted to retain Ward 1 Councilor Alan McKay on the council, defeating an attempt to recall him. McKay received 56.01% approval from city voters. He will retain his seat in the current term until the regular council election in February, 2024.
Alarge page one photo showed Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Charles Mc-Call (R-Atoka) visiting with Sulphur Middle School students recently about government and being involved in selecting leaders.
McCall authored an article in the paper about an inspiring trip he led to Normandy, France to visit multiple World War II historical sites. The bipartisan group of 40 House members and McCall “paid our respects to fallen Oklahomans laid to rest in the American Cemetery,” he explained. The group learned about the “service and sacrifice of our soldiers at different sites, including Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and the cemetery,” he said.
McCall’s comments during the cemetery visit included this tribute: “Memorialized and resting here are 10,944 U.S. soldiers, including 170 soldiers from Oklahoma, who gave their lives for the price of freedom that we still enjoy today, some 79 years later.”
The Alpha Gymnastics US AG Team won 1st place with a score of 109.85 at the Bartlesville Gymnastics 57th Invitational on Nov. 18-19. Sulphur’s Sadie John was pictured this week as she received trophies for winning 5th place in uneven bars and 9th place all-around in the Xcel Silver Division.
Thanksgiving best wishes were sprinkled throughout this week’s issue.
November 30 - The legal actions surrounding the Sulphur City Council this year are not entirely over. A tort claim petition against three city council members was filed recently in the Murray County District Court. The defamation lawsuit was filed by legal counsel on behalf of James Alan McKay, Ward 1 councilman.
The petition stems from a recent recall election held on Nov. 14 when McKay reined victorious with a 205-161 vote to retain his seat. The Cause of Action listed in the petition are: Count I: Abuse of Process; Count II: Defamation; and Count III: Emotional Distress.
The Christmas Season has officially arrived ushered in by the colorful Sulphur Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights Monday evening. Photos this week show a gingerbread house float and Santa riding a fire department vehicle in the parade. Another page featured several photos of winning floats.
The 26th annual Avenue of Angels lighting ceremony was held Sunday in the lobby of the Arbuckle Memorial Hospital. This year more than 260 names of loved ones were read by Beverly and Keith Billings. A moment of silence was followed by a remembrance prayer by Dick Terry, Pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church.
The event also featured candle lighting, with a choral group from the high school leading in singing “Silent Night.” The SASO Choir from Crossway Church performed special music and Crossway Pastor Bill Leveridge delivered a message. The program concluded with a closing prayer by Tyler Burke of First Free Will Baptist Church.
During the season, the front lawn of the hospital is aglow with lighted Angels.
December
December 7 - The first “B attle of the Banks” blood donation drive in Sulphur recently was won by BancFirst. The contenders in the battle were First National Bank and BancFirst. A total of 25 donors donated blood, which has the potential to save 75 area lives. The competition is sponsored by Our Blood Institute of Ardmore. Apage one presentation photo featured the vice president and branch manager receiving a trophy from a blood institute representative.
The Sulphur School Board was presented a proposed change for the 2021 bond project by the superintendent. Phase I changes include adding a tornado shelter to the current project. The shelter includes use as a wrestling room, and it would protect approximately 735 people. The board approved the proposal.
Murray County Fair Board members approved additional changes and amendments to the Expo Center Rental Agreement at a special called meeting Monday. The changes involve serving alcohol at the facility. One rule requires a permit from the ABLE Commission if a group is raising funds and serving alcohol. The other rule forbids alcohol on the premise “for any activity at the Expo Center involving 4-H and/ or FFA students.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an early appearance at Parker Memorial Library in Sulphur on Dec. 21 in a Drive-Through Santa event. Guests will receive a holiday treat and have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa.
Throughout the year, Murray County Extension Educator John Holman regales readers with just about every topic in his column that is of interest in a rural farming and ranching community. This week, he offers valuable tips on poinsettia care quoting from a horticulture specialist. Tips include how to buy a plant; how to display and protect it; and how to care for it.
December 14 - Former Murray County Undersheriff Jay McClure recently was honored at an event of a lifetime. He was invited by retired Sgt. Major of the Army Michael Grinston to attend a prestigious celebration and military ball at Fort Sill in Lawton. McClure and Grinston had served together at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Grinston was a speaker at the event. After his talk, he presented McClure with the Army Challenge Coin, a military token of recognition for membership in an elite unit. McClure worked with the Sheriff’s Department for more than 20 years before his illness with ALS forced him into early retirement.
There is a new Cowboy in town, and this one is four-legged. K9 Ranger Cowboy recently joined the law enforcement staff at the CNRA. He is a 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer trained to detect narcotics and assist in tracking people and locating items. A photo with the story shows Ranger Kat Grubb with Cowboy, who is reputed to be a happy, friendly dog.
Old-school Santa Claus joins the digital age this season with virtual Christmas Eve Storytime on Facebook and YouTube. Families can tune in to the event sponsored by the Southern Oklahoma Library System on its page and channel.
December 21 -- Tommie Grimes is retiring from the position of election board secretary for the county at the end of the year. She has served the county for more than 20 years. A reception in her honor was held recently at the courthouse annex. She began working for the election board in 2003 as assistant secretary. In 2011, she was appointed as secretary by former State Senator Frank Simpson.
Taking over for Grimes will be Rhonda Summers, who was appointed to the top county position by State Senator Greg McCortney (R-Ada).
On Dec. 16, the Murray County OHCE members joined with the American Legion Post 148 to honor veterans with a Wreaths Across America ceremony at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur. That day is a national observance of the wreaths program that is intended to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and to teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Evergreen wreaths were placed in Arlington National Cemetery, all national cemeteries, as well as 3,700 cemeteries across every state. More than 2.7 million wreaths were placed at places where American Veterans rest. Locally, there are more than 650 men and women graves at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Area kids can enjoy a “shop with a cop” experience as local law enforcement officers help children and their families shop for Christmas presents. Participating in the event this year are the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, Sulphur Police Department and the N ational Park S ervice rangers.
At a special meeting Monday, the Sulphur City Council approved re-hiring the city attorney in a 3-2 vote. The vote followed controversy about the attorney’s performance of duties during the recent disputes over petitions to recall several councilmen.
Regular columns this week from U.S. Senator Markway ne Mullin and Congressman Tom Cole gave an Oklahoma perspective on the importance of a “robust national defense.” Citing this as “a time of global instability,” Cole applauded the passage and signing into law the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.
Sen. Mullin also praised the bill’s passage, saying he was “thrilled about the direct investments we were able to bring home for Oklahoma.” He added there is $ 152 million secured for our state, with nearly half of that going to Fort Sill for power projects. Other facilities receiving support include Vance Air Force Base, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, and more than $60 million to Tinker AFB for a large maintenance hanger and oxygen shop.
In addition to the spending for military installations in the state, there also is “another $ 122 million in funding for Oklahoma’s higher education aerospace programs and defense industry partners,” he explained.
This issue of the newspaper traditionally features a special section called “Dear Santa...” Area children may submit their Christmas wish list and comment (confess?) about their own behavior during the year. Of course, writers gave details about the gifts they wanted Santa to leave. Many young writers also gave instructions on how to find their home.
December 28 - The last newspaper issue of the year featured the traditional comprehensive “Year In Review.” The review began with “Looking Back” an Overview of events reported in all the year’s weekly issues of the “Sulphur Times-Democrat.” This weekhas the first installment of the week-by-week review for January through June.
Contributing Writer Whitt Carter produced a “Sports Year In Review” calling 2023 a “stellar year” for Bulldog Sports. His review consists of sports story headlines and summaries throughout the seasons. Carter predicts, “A very bright future for Sulphur athletics.”
In current sports news, color photos this week featured SHS Basketball and Wrestling Homecoming Coronation ceremonies, with queens and escorts announced.
A feature story traces the career and many achievements of Bill Lance, who was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Lance joins Bill Anoatubby (2004) as the most recent Chickasaw to be so inducted. He is currently the nation’s Secretary of State.
In his comments at the induction ceremony, Lance noted his dedication to the Chickasaw Nation and his local history, saying, “my induction reflects the enduring spirit of my Chickasaw heritage and my roots in Sulphur and Murray County. My family has been part of this land for generations.”
