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The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalms 34:18

Heavener and LeFlore County are in for a prolonged stretch of summer heat over the next several days, with highs climbing from the upper 80s this week toward the mid-90s heading into next week.

Thursday brings mostly cloudy skies and highs near 87 degrees with a 13 percent chance of rain. Friday offers the best conditions of the stretch — morning clouds giving way to afternoon sun with a high near 88. Winds pick up to around 12 mph out of the south-southwest both days.

The heat builds from there. Saturday reaches 92 degrees under partly cloudy skies, Sunday hits 94 with sunny conditions, and Monday and Tuesday could see highs of 94 to 96 degrees with nearly clear skies and minimal rain chances.

The first storm chances return Wednesday, July 1, with isolated thunderstorms possible at 34 percent, followed by mostly sunny skies and highs of 95 Thursday, July 2.

Residents should stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat, particularly Sunday through Tuesday as temperatures approach and exceed 95 degrees.

For the latest weather alerts affecting LeFlore County, visit Heavener.news.

Wister Lake fishing report for this week. 

Wister: Jun 19. Elevation is 6 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 91°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass fair on buzz baits and plastic baits around brush structure. Blue catfish fair on cut bait around channels. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

See this week’s Oklahoma fishing report.

Too much weight on my back?
By Craig Hall

I don't whine often and don't believe in it — unless, of course, it's justified.

But I need your thoughts, opinions and suggestions.

During the last part of the school year, it got to the point that I could not walk very far or stand for any length of time.

After consulting with my medical staff at Mercy, it was determined an MRI was necessary to find out what ailed the Craigman's aging back — it does date back 63 years, despite my youthful appearance.

The MRI showed stenosis of my L4 and L5 vertebrae, pretty much the same thing that was wrong with my neck two years ago. This typically results in an operation where a portion of bone is shaved back to relieve pressure on the nerves.

But wait. Two days after visiting a neurosurgeon in Tulsa, the doctor confirmed the diagnosis and said that was what was needed. Then it was determined my A1C was high at 8.6 — since I couldn't do anything like mow or do yard work, it had to get below 7.5 before I would be cleared for surgery.

At that point, it mainly hurt when I walked a lot or stood for long periods, mostly in my back and hip. Then, two days after that visit, I was cleaning out our little above-ground pool and there was an area just out of reach.

So I did what I always tell the kids not to do — I walked on the rail along the top of the pool. Everything was going fine. Then it wasn't.

I felt the balance shift and started to fall into the pool. I tried to reach back for the deck to steady myself, but a body in motion, etc. I fell. The left side of my body hit the rail and I wound up in the pool, which was far too cold for this old coot.

My glasses came off and went into the pool, of course, so that became my main concern. The left side of my chest was hurting — it would eventually produce the largest bruise I have ever seen — and I noticed my hip was hurting even though I had only taken a few steps.

I finally found my glasses and thought everything was fine. It wasn't. I don't know if I further injured my back in the fall, but it has been pretty much constant pain since — in my back, right hip, leg and, well, the backside.

I tried to hurry things along with the neurosurgeon, whom I won't name for reasons I'll get into shortly.

First, I had to get that A1C below 7.5. So I completely cut out sweets — no easy feat for the Craigman — and cut back to two meals a day. I started noticing my blood sugar was running low often, and the alarm on my Dexcom went off frequently telling me I needed to get food or a drink into my system.

I did some research and was told it would be nearly impossible to lower my A1C that much in three months. I was worried. But I had a new test done and it came back at 6.8. I was stunned.

I contacted my neurosurgeon's office to have the clearance faxed to my physician. I left a message. No return call the first day, or the next. I finally reached an actual person, asked about getting the surgery scheduled and was told she would check on it and get back to me.

Despite several more messages, I have not been able to reach a real person since — and I have not heard back. I seem to recall it only took a couple of days last time to get an appointment.

So I have spent the summer in the worst pain of my life. I can walk across the room, but now need a walker to go any real distance. When we go to Walmart, I sit in the waiting area with my trusty walker while my wife shops.

I make short trips to the post office, Harp's or the Dollar Store, but even those are rough. I need to get this operation done soon, or I will not be able to return to work in August.

So for those of you who have been through the same back problems — tell me who you saw and how it was handled. I don't want to lose part of my spine, but I also want to get back to a normal life and away from the heating pad, the constant pain and moving like someone twice my age.

Here's what's happening in LeFlore County over the next week, including meetings, a blood drive, Chamber golf tournament and more.

Event submission form

Thursday

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC

Heavener VFW bingo 6 p.m.

Friday

Poteau Chamber golf tournament

Funeral services for Rose Mary Jeffery

Funeral services for Patricia Ann Ogden

Elizabeth Ann Prall funeral service

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

Family cookout at 2202 N. Broadway in Poteau. 

Tuesday

Celebrate America

Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC

Wednesday

Wednesday

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

See the upcoming calendar

June 25 is one of the most historically significant dates on the calendar, marked by the start of a major war, a legendary last stand, a global television milestone and the death of one of the most famous entertainers who ever lived.

On this date in history

In 1876, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and approximately 265 soldiers of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment were wiped out by Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse at the Battle of Little Bighorn in Montana — one of the most famous battles in American history, known as Custer's Last Stand.

In 1950, North Korean armed forces invaded South Korea, launching the Korean War. The United States, acting under the United Nations, entered the conflict within days. The war lasted three years and claimed tens of thousands of American lives.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech in West Berlin, pledging American support to the people of the divided city during the height of the Cold War.

In 1967, the Beatles performed "All You Need Is Love" live during the world's first global satellite television broadcast, watched by an estimated 400 million viewers in 19 countries. Today, June 25 is recognized as Global Beatles Day.

In 1974, the Universal Product Code, better known as the UPC bar code, was scanned commercially for the first time — on a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum in Troy, Ohio.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation establishing June 25 as National Catfish Day, recognizing the economic importance of farm-raised catfish in the United States — fitting for LeFlore County readers.

In 2009, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop and the best-selling recording artist in history, died at his Los Angeles home at age 50 after suffering cardiac arrest.

Notable births

Notable deaths

Thomas Lee Tomblinson, 66, of Heavener was born Sept. 3, 1959 in Monterey, California to Everett Lee Tomblinson and Wanda Joyce (McDaniel) McIntyre and passed away June 23, 2026 in Poteau. 

He was a long-time resident of Heavener and served his country in the United States Army. Thomas loved to spend time with his family and hunting. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Thomas’ family will visit with friends from 4 until 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Heavener. 

Survivors are his wife, Patricia Tomblinson, of the home; one brother David Fredrickson and wife Michelle of Poteau; one cousin, Anita Smith, of Missouri; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Jerry and Patricia Davis of Heavener; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. 

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Susan Coffey; and two brothers Dwayne Tomblinson and Steven Tomblinson. 

To sign Thomas’ online guestbook please visit www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Vickey Ann Miller of Summerfield passed away June 20, 2026, in Tahlequah at the age of 75.

She was born April 13, 1951, in Tulsa to Charles and Mazil (Fulks) Senters.

Vickey spent most of her high school years in Moore, where she lived with her beloved Granny Mattie, before graduating with the class of 1969 at Tahlequah High School.

She married Johnny Bob Miller on Jan. 17, 1975. Together they had two children, Marianne and Bobby, and also lost a child to miscarriage.

Vickey learned to sew from her mother and made many of her children's clothes when they were young. She also sewed clothes — including a wedding dress — for nieces and nephews. Her skill with fabric led her to a job in the late 1990s at Sonshine Manufacturing in Heavener, where she helped construct western wear for the Stonebridge clothing brand. Her sewing career eventually brought her to the fabrics and crafts department at the Tahlequah Walmart, where she spent nearly 20 years. Customers would often say they wouldn't let anyone cut fabric for them if she wasn't available.

She loved plants and gardening, maintaining a large vegetable garden and flowers throughout her yard for many years. She enjoyed eating out, particularly at Chinese buffets in Tahlequah and Muskogee and at Mexican restaurants. When she had some spending money, she loved going to thrift stores with her daughter Marianne. "It's our thing," she had told her recently. Her house and flower beds were filled with treasures from their adventures together.

Vickey spent her last nearly 12 years raising her granddog, Trevi. The two became inseparable, and Vickey often knew what Trevi was thinking just by her bark or stare. They enjoyed napping together in the recliner.

She was an active member of South College Church of Christ in Tahlequah and the Church of Christ in Summerfield, and she cherished family gatherings in the Summerfield, Tahlequah and Moore areas. Her warm spirit and kind heart touched the lives of many.

She is survived by her husband, John Miller Sr., of the home; one daughter, Marianne Miller of Tahlequah; one sister, Debra Monholland and husband Mike of Park Hill; one brother, Anthony Senters and wife Valerie of Muskogee; nieces Diana Bascue, Melissa Partin, Brandy Foreman, Jenny Conner and Meghan Monholland; nephews Robert Hamner, Ethan Monholland and Kyle Monholland; brother-in-law Tex Harrison; sister-in-law Myra McCollum; uncle and aunt Pink and Charlotte Fulks; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, half-brothers and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her son, Bobby Miller; her mother and stepfather, Mazil and Pete White; a newborn sister, Angela White; her in-laws, Bob and Ona Miller; her sisters-in-law, Mandy Gates and Virginia Harrison; and her granddog and best friend, Trevi.

Funeral services will be held at two locations. The Tahlequah service is 2 p.m. Monday, June 29, at South College Church of Christ, 410 S. College Ave., in Tahlequah. Viewing is noon until service time, with the family visiting with friends beginning at 1 p.m.

The Summerfield service is 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, at Summerfield Church of Christ with Brother Tracy Loyd officiating. Burial will follow at Summerfield Cemetery. Viewing at Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home, 710 U.S. Highway 270 in Heavener, is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tahlequah pallbearers are Ethan Monholland, Kyle Monholland, Alex Foreman, Marshall Connor and Gary Bliss. Summerfield pallbearers are Cody Herrington, Jimmy Herrington, John Cogburn, Matt Wolfe, Tony Patterson and Lonnie Wayne Williams. Honorary pallbearers for both services are Bentley Conner, Hallie Foreman, Meghan Monholland, Dennis Fulks, Brad Martin and Linda Chambers.

Both services are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home of Heavener.

To sign Mrs. Miller's online guestbook, visit dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services for Patricia Ann Ogden, 80, are 10 a.m. Friday at Evans & Miller Funeral Home Chapel in Pocola with Dr. William Willis officiating. Burial will follow at Macedonia Cemetery in Pocola under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

Patricia Ann was born Feb. 4, 1946, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to George Pipkins and Annie (Farris) Pipkins.

She is survived by her husband, James Ogden, of the home; one brother, Jimmy Pipkins of Pocola; two sisters, Gail Kay Pipkins and Jane Damato, both of Pocola; two nieces; one nephew; and numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Annie Pipkins; sisters Ethel and Bethel Pipkins and Wanda Pipkins; brothers Jay Pipkins and Johnny Pipkins; and brother-in-law John Damato.

Pallbearers are Vince O'Connell, Brenden O'Connell, Michael Pipkins, Mitchell Pipkins, George Michael Pipkins and Allen Beam. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Bryant, Jeff Been, Harold Wilkins and Joe Damato.

Visitation is Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Evans & Miller Funeral Home in Pocola.

Online condolences may be made at evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.

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