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Welcome to your daily digest from LeFlore County Journal, your digital heartbeat for everything happening right here at home. Before we dive into today’s top local storiesand community updates, we have a quick favor to ask:

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:12

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Republican Party to receive top position on General Election ballot, followed by Democrats, Libertarians

A public drawing was held Wednesday by Secretary of the State Election Board Paul Ziriax to determine the ballot order for political parties and independent candidates for the Nov. 3 General Election. The drawing was held in accordance with state law at 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol Building, Room G3, in Oklahoma City.

The results of the drawing and the order of political parties are as follows:

Recognized political party candidates appear on the ballot in lot order. Independent candidates are placed on the ballot in lot order following the candidates of recognized political parties.

The General Election is Nov. 3, 2026. Information about registering to vote can be found on the State Election Board website.

Wister Lake fishing report for this week.

Wister: July 3. Elevation is 1 ft. above normal and falling, water temperature 89°F and stained. (USACE Current Lake Level) Largemouth bass good on crankbaits and plastic baits around brush structure, main lake, and river channel. Blue catfish good on cut bait and shad around main lake and river channel. Crappie good on jigs and minnows around brush structure. Report submitted by James Williams, game warden stationed in Le Flore County.

See the report for all of Oklahoma

Submit your fish photo!

STILLWATER – Cooking for one or two doesn’t have to mean endless leftovers, oversized portions or wasted food. With some creative planning and a few simple strategies,consumers can prepare healthy, flavorful meals that save time, stretch food dollars and reduce waste.

Whether they’re living alone, just starting out on their own or adjusting to life as empty nesters, many people continue cooking the same way they always have, oftenending up with more food than they can use. But lifestyles change, said ChristiEvans, OklahomaState University Extension food safety specialist.

“With the cost of food today, it’s important to reduce food waste,” she said. “Planning meals while keeping them flexible is the key to eating well without getting burnedout on leftovers that end up in the trash.”

A good place to start is planning meals that include fruits and vegetables, protein, grains, dairy and healthy fats. A simple formula, such as protein + vegetable + grainwith fruit or dairy on the side, makes quick work of meal planning.

Before heading to the grocery store, Evans recommends shopping the pantry, refrigerator and freezer first. Planning meals around ingredients already on hand helps preventunnecessary purchases and reduces food waste.

Versatile pantry staples include canned beans, tuna or chicken; whole-grain rice and pasta; chicken, beef or vegetable broth; canned vegetables; and frozen fruits andvegetables.

Because many recipes are written for families, Evans encourages consumers to scale them down.

“If you’re right-sizing a recipe to better meet your needs, measure ingredients carefully,” she said. “Remember, smaller meals will cook faster, so adjust cooking timesaccordingly. Right-sizing recipes is a great option for people who don’t want to eat the same meals for several days or who aren’t likely to freeze leftovers.”

Evans also suggests being creative and thinking beyond the original meal. Leftover taco meat can become taco salad the next day. Pot roast can be transformed into burritos,while extra hamburger patties can be chopped and stirred into spaghetti sauce.

When browning ground beef, chicken or turkey for one recipe, cook extra and freeze it in meal-sized portions. Doing this can save time when preparing meals later in theweek.

“Something fun to do is make use-it-up meals,” she said. “Combine different leftovers into soups, stir-fries, bowls or omelets. Using the leftovers in different wayswill add variety to meals as opposed to eating the same thing for two or three days in a row.”

Smart grocery shopping can also help reduce costs. Although larger packages often have a lower per-unit cost, they’re only a bargain if the food will be used before itspoils. Buying unpackaged produce is another way to cut costs while allowing shoppers to purchase only the amount they need.

No matter the household size, food safety remains essential. Evans recommends storing food at the proper temperature, cooking to the recommended internal temperatureand refrigerating leftovers within two hours.

“Food is expensive, and it’s wasteful to throw it away because it wasn’t cooked or stored properly, or if you’re tired of eating the same thing,” she said. “Being mindfulwhen shopping, and getting creative in the kitchen, can help stretch food dollars while still fixing fun, healthy meals.”

OSU Extension offers more information in a new fact sheet, “Cookingfor One or Two.”

July 9 has carried extraordinary weight in American history — from a constitutional amendment that redefined citizenship to a court ruling that reshaped land rights right here in Oklahoma.

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY

In 1850, President Zachary Taylor died of a gastrointestinal illness after consuming a large amount of cherries and iced milk on a scorching Fourth of July five days earlier. He had served only 16 months in office. Vice President Millard Fillmore was sworn in the following day.

In 1868, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting citizenship and equal protection under the law to anyone born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people.

In 1955, "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets became the first rock-and-roll single to reach No. 1 on Billboard's pop charts, a position it held for two months.

Sharon Kay Simmons, 82, of Poteau, passed away Sunday.

She was born Jan. 12, 1944, in Heavener, to Estle and Pluma (Fortner) Allison.

Funeral service is 2 p.m. Saturday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, with Phil McGehee officiating. Burial will follow at Reichert Cemetery in Reichert, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Cledith Allison; her brothers, Donald Allison and Marvin Allison; her brother-in-law, Mark Simmons; her granddaughter, Bailey Simmons; and her dearest friend, Betty Plumlee.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Simmons, of the home; her daughter, Sherri Stone and husband Doug, of Poteau; her son, Shane Simmons and wife Tina, of Caddo; her grandchildren, Ryan Simmons and wife Lacee, Harlie Simmons, Dylan Stone and wife Taylor, Allison Zertuche and husband Justin, Haleigh Stone, and Drew Stone; her great-grandchildren, Emery Simmons, Liam Lynn and Ava Lynn; her sisters-in-law, Kathy Forehand and Patricia Allison; her brother-in-law, Gary Ollie and wife Kay; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

Pallbearers are Ryan Simmons, Dylan Stone, Drew Stone, Mark McMillin, Gary David Ollie and John Perry.

Viewing and visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

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