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LeFlore County District Court filed 131 new cases the week of July 6-10, according to the county clerk's office, including two felony charges, 12 marriage licenses, 16 protective orders, and a range of civil, small claims and traffic filings. Here's a look at this week's court activity.

Mortgages

Estates 

Criminal, traffic filings

Civil, Family, small claims

LeFlore County commissioners met Monday for their regular business meeting, approving the sale of five surplus vehicles to District 2 and pushing back the effective date on a Solid Waste trust indenture update.

Chairman Jamie Oliver called the meeting to order at 9 a.m., with Vice Chair Mike Parker, Member Josh Blaylock and County Clerk Kelli Ford present.

Commissioners approved the minutes from the July 6 meeting, along with routine purchase orders and monthly fee reports from the LeFlore County Election Board. A transfer of appropriations totaling $36,170.40 was also approved, split evenly across three accounts. No blanket purchase orders, new business, or contract labor agreements were presented, and commissioners said a burn ban is not needed at this time.

Commissioners discussed updating the collections and disbursement process tied to the trust indenture between LeFlore County Public Health Management, also known as LeFlore County Solid Waste, and LeFlore County. During discussion, the effective date was pushed back a month, from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1, before the update was approved.

Commissioners also approved the County Treasurer's Resale Financial Statement as presented.

In the meeting's most notable action, commissioners approved declarations of surplus and resolutions to dispose of several pieces of county-owned inventory, then approved selling five vehicles to District 2 for $2,000 each — well below their original purchase prices: 

·       A 2020 Ford truck (VIN ending in 1845), originally purchased for $27,972.73 in March 2020

·       A 2020 Ford truck (VIN ending in 1841), originally purchased for $27,972.73 in March 2020

·       A 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, purchased for an unknown amount in July 2019

·       A 2020 Ford F150 (VIN ending in 1844), originally purchased for $27,972.73 in March 2020

·       A 2019 Ford F150 (VIN ending in 0241), originally purchased for $31,927.67 in June 2019

Combined, the five vehicles carried an original purchase value of more than $115,000. Two additional surplus items — a 2019 HP computer and a Lexmark printer, together valued at $3,845 when purchased — were also declared surplus, with proceeds benefiting the County Treasurer.

All motions passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned on a motion by Oliver, seconded by Blaylock, with Oliver, Parker and Blaylock all voting yes.

Voters in LeFlore County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the Aug. 25 Runoff Primary should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Kayla Rees said.

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Monday, August 10. Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Request forms are also available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the County Election Board office located at 103 N Church, Poteau, OK.

Rees reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed, and returned by mail to the County Election Board. “With some exceptions, all absentee ballot affidavits must be notarized before being returned. Voters should give themselves plenty of time to make sure all steps have been followed and that the ballot is returned correctly in order to be counted,” Rees said.

Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals that cannot be left alone. Voters who request a “physically incapacitated” ballot must have their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people.

Military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses and dependents, are also eligible for certain allowances. Military personnel should contact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for an Absentee Ballot Application. Residents living overseas may obtain Absentee Ballot Applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate. Military personnel and overseas citizens who are already registered voters in Oklahoma may apply for absentee ballots using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Those who need to complete a new Voter Registration Application should apply through the Federal Voting Assistance Program at FVAP.gov.

All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The LeFlore County Election Board is located at 103 N Church in Poteau and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, contact the Election Board at 918-647-3701 or [email protected].

Oklahoma agencies warn stores over sale of illegal kratom products

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) are warning Oklahoma stores that they could face enforcement action from OSDH for selling dangerous and intoxicating products prohibited under state law.

This includes, but is not limited to, certain products containing kratom alkaloids above the legal threshold in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 891, which became law Nov. 1, 2025, is known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and limits the potency of kratom products.

Oversight and enforcement of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act falls under OSDH, which released the following statement as it works alongside OBN to address the sale and abuse of prohibited kratom products:

"The Oklahoma State Department of Health recognizes that kratom has become an emerging public health concern due to reports of severe adverse health effects associated with its use, particularly when products are adulterated, mislabeled, or used in combination with other substances. OSDH is committed to protecting public health by enforcing Oklahoma's retail kratom requirements."

Kratom is not currently a Controlled Dangerous Substance in Oklahoma, so OBN doesn't have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of Senate Bill 891. However, OBN is taking a proactive role in educating the public, as well as retailers, about kratom's potential for harm and liability.

"Stores have the responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with state law," said OBN Director Donnie Anderson. "This should include testing and thorough research on their part. And if stores have any doubt at all about the legality of their products, they are encouraged to halt sales immediately."

According to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office, kratom products have contributed to more than 50 deaths in Oklahoma since January 2025.

"Those who sell these addictive and potentially deadly products have no excuse," Anderson said. "State law is very clear, and anyone selling these products with a reckless disregard for public safety, including contributing to a fatal overdose, could be held liable."

Consumers who have concerns about the sale of kratom or suspect violations of state law are encouraged to submit a complaint through the OSDH Consumer Health Services Complaint Form for review and investigation.

By Rep. RICK WEST 

LeFlore County Sheriff Rodney Derryberry got some good news last week. His office will receive $250,000 to spend on operations, including training, technology, equipment, capital improvements and more.  

Grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 were awarded to sheriff's offices in all 77 counties based on the county's total tangible property valuation.  

I've talked to Sheriff Derryberry and several of his deputies as well as some Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers about the need to upgrade the radios used by the sheriff's office. In our area, cell phones don't always work. It's critical that the sheriff and his deputies are able to communicate with each other and the patrol as they work to keep the public safe. It's my hope they'll be able to use some of this grant funding toward the purchase of new radios.  

Public schools also received good news this week. I saw a report by the Commissioners of the Land Office that showed record distributions to public schools, colleges and universities for the third consecutive year. Oklahoma public education this year is receiving $160 million. In 2025, the amount was $156 million, and $145 million in 2024, for a total of $461 million over the three years. That is split between 507 public school districts and 13 select higher education institutions, but it’s still money to help educate our children and pay our teachers.  

Another bit of good news is that a Freedom Truck is coming July 13-16 to the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center in Poteau. The truck is full of information that helps tell the story of the United States of America on our 250th anniversary. The truck will be open from noon to 6 p.m. July 13 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 14-16. I believe admission is free to the public.  

Like I said, these trucks help tell America's story of freedom – how 13 independent colonies helped beat the most powerful military force in the world at the time. How we accomplished that is nothing short of miraculous. America has enjoyed 250 years of sovereignty since July 4, 1776, though it was hard fought to gain it and keep it. I would encourage people to come and see this exhibit for themselves and then make up their own mind about the information presented and if our nation is as exceptional as I believe it to be.  

I also want to remind everyone that Doug Linehan, the executive director of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, will be visiting our area at 1 p.m. July 29 at the Poteau Library. I encourage anyone with questions or concerns to attend. I'm grateful he's willing to take the time to travel to meet with us.  

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV. 

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at [email protected]. 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.

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July 14 marks the day the French Revolution ignited, the day an Oklahoma-born singer changed American folk music forever, and the day baseball's home run king reached a milestone.

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY

In 1789, a mob of Parisian citizens stormed the Bastille prison, capturing the fortress and releasing the seven prisoners held there. Though a relatively small event in practical terms, the storming became the defining symbol of the French Revolution and is celebrated annually in France as Bastille Day.

In 1798, Congress passed the Sedition Act, making it a federal crime to publish false, scandalous or malicious writing about the U.S. government — one of the most controversial laws in early American history.

In 1881, outlaw William H. Bonney Jr., better known as Billy the Kid, was shot and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner in present-day New Mexico. He was just 21 years old.

In 1912, folk singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma — a hometown legacy that would go on to shape the sound of American folk music through songs like "This Land Is Your Land."

In 1933, the Nazi government outlawed all German political parties except the Nazi Party itself, cementing one-party rule in Germany.

In 1943, the George Washington Carver National Monument was dedicated in Diamond, Missouri, becoming the first National Park Service site to honor a Black American.

In 1958, a military coup in Iraq, led by Brigadier Abd al-Karim Qasim, overthrew the Hashemite monarchy. King Faisal II, the Crown Prince and the prime minister were assassinated during the uprising.

In 1960, 26-year-old Jane Goodall arrived at what is now Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to begin her groundbreaking research into wild chimpanzees.

In 1965, NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft became the first ever to photograph another planet up close during its flyby of Mars.

In 1968, Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron hit the 500th home run of his career in a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.

In 2015, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft completed the first-ever flyby of Pluto, capping humanity's initial survey of the solar system nearly a decade after its launch.

In 2016, a truck was driven through a crowd of Bastille Day revelers in Nice, France, killing more than 80 people and injuring hundreds in one of France's deadliest terrorist attacks.

NOTABLE BIRTHDAYS

Woody Guthrie (1912) — Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, Guthrie became one of the most influential folk musicians in American history, penning "This Land Is Your Land" and inspiring generations of songwriters who followed.

Gerald R. Ford (1913) — The 38th president of the United States was born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska, and later took the name of his adoptive father.

Jane Lynch (1960) — The actress and comedian, known for "Glee" and "Best in Show," turns 66 today.

Matthew Fox (1966) — The actor, best known for his role on "Lost," turns 60 today.

Conor McGregor (1988) — The mixed martial artist and former UFC double champion turns 38 today.

NOTABLE DEATHS

John Ringo (1882) — The gun-fighting outlaw of the American West, romanticized in both life and death, was found dead in Turkey Creek Canyon, Arizona.

Quentin Roosevelt (1918) — The youngest son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, a pilot in the U.S. Air Service, was shot down and killed over the Marne River in France during World War I.

Maryam Mirzakhani (2017) — The Iranian mathematician, the first woman and first Iranian ever awarded the Fields Medal, died of cancer at age 40.

Lois Francis Smith, 96, of Spiro was born on Nov. 11, 1929, in Latham to John R. Barnes and Virgil (Brown) Barnes. She passed away on July 12, 2026, in Spiro.

Funeral service is 2 p.m. on Thursday at Evans & Miller Chapel in Poteau with Taylor Pollard officiating. Burial will follow at Shady Point Cemetery, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

Survivors are two sons, John Smith of Shady Point, and Ronnie Smith and wife Lisa of Wister; two grandsons, Brad Smith and wife Rachel of Shady Point, and Heath Smith and wife Jayla of Wister; two great-granddaughters, Carson Smith and Wren Smith; and one great-grandson, Canon Smith.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Smith; her grandson, Mike Smith; her daughter-in-law, Cathy Smith; four brothers Isaac Barnes, Art Barnes, Olen Barnes, and Carl Barnes; and two sisters Betty Russell and Margie Wiles.