Poteau Daily News
CASC’s Viking Theater returns; preparing for revamped student center
During her visit with the Poteau Kiwanis Club on Thursday, Carl Albert State College Vice President of Student Affairs Kelly Vongnarath announced the return of Viking Theater. The first production of Viking Theater will be “You’re a Good Man, Charlie...
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Red Oak qualifies for academic bowl state tourney
Red Oak High School’s academic team celebrates qualifying for the state tournament on Saturday after competing in its Class 2A area tournament on Saturday in Rock Creek. The Eagles scored 300, 310, 280, and 290 in the area tournament contests. Red Oak...
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Snails cannot go without getting beaned into art form
Left photo, Lela and Lily Brown show their snail art creations made with beans. Right photo, Zeke Godwin and children’s librarian Jennifer Young show snail art creations during Crafternoon on Thursday. See upcoming library events in the area calendar...
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Janloo hits Poteau with eye on labor commission
Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Lisa Janloo spoke to the LeFlore County Republicans on Thursday at Patrick Lynch Public Library in Poteau. “I’m asking for your support, that you’d see the vision I do,” she said. Janloo, 36, is a businesswoman who has...
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AI tutors enter process with Poteau Virtual Academy
During the Poteau school board meeting on Monday, an item was approved to buy into a contract with the Khan Academy’s Khanmingo artificial intelligence tutoring program. “This could bring AI in a useful way into our classrooms,” Poteau Public Schools...
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Commissioners approve 70-acre subdivision near Spiro
At their regularly scheduled meeting January 12, 2026 the Board of LeFlore County Commissioners approved the plat maps for a new subdivision just east of Spiro mostly just north of Lakeview Drive. The creator of the subdivision, Jason Cosco, explained...
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Children love Pirate Quest; program needs advocates with grant in limbo
Children clamor with excitement as they join in after-school activities, but schools like Poteau that rely to a great extent on after-school program funding are sitting on edge with federal allotment in question. “As you know, when the school day...
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How Poteau rotates into new city vehicles
During the Poteau City Council meeting on Monday, the city evaluated its process of procuring vehicles. The council approved the contract with Enterprise. Clinton Harvey presented on the state of the city’s account with Enterprise. The upcoming...
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Taking advantage of tax changes
With tax season soon approaching, Levi Chuculate, CPA, of Wells, Wann and Co. provided tips in a recent visit with the Poteau Kiwanis Club. Chuculate noted that several changes are on the way due to the budget bill that was passed by Congress in...
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Ringing in new year in LeFlore County
Top right photo, the band B.A.B.E. performs at the New Year’s Eve celebration at Frozen Oasis in Pocola on Wednesday. Band members include Krystalla Martin (vocals), Saille Branch (bass guitar), Josh Cormier (saxophone), Ty Goff (lead guitar/mandolin),...
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Biggest 2025 news stories in LeFlore County
Pickel retires as fire chief, joins city council Jon Pickel retired after 22 years as Poteau Fire Chief and 42 years with the fire department in January after since the state insurance system determines that the cost of an insurance policy for a...
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Sounds of the season in Monroe
The Pocola town board met on Dec. 9. Lee Beutelschies was hired as street superintendent, and John Limbocker was chosen on a temporary basis to be building inspector. In the town board portion of the meeting, the board decided to add a line item to...
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Sharing Christmas music in recital
The 2025 Christmas Recital of Natlynn’s Voice Studio was presented on Dec. 12 at the Poteau First United Methodist Church. The following program was presented by the students. Violet Keller-Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Callie...
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Spiro moves ahead with park renovation
Construction has begun for renovation at the Spiro City Park. The first day of construction was Dec. 2. This is being done through a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant project. A pickleball court will be built at the park near the entrance from...
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Panama seventh, eighth-grade building nearing final steps
The Panama seventh and eighth grade center that has been in the construction phase stands near completion. This school building is funded by a bond measure that was passed in September 2023, which included no tax increase. Students are expected to...
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LeFlore County requests legislature to protect the Kiamichi, Glover Rivers
At their regularly scheduled meeting December 15, 2025 the Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution requesting the Oklahoma legislature to add the Kiamichi and Glover Rivers to the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Act. Commissioners Mike Parker...
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CASC student center on track for May completion
During the Carl Albert State College Board of Regents meeting on Tuesday, Architect Michael Riley provided an update on the renovation of the CostnerBallentine Student Center. Riley said the student center is 50 percent complete and that the building...
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Poteau schools bolster maternity leave
Robyn Gillham was selected as the next assistant principal for Pansy Kidd Middle School and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Center during the Poteau school board on Monday. Gillham will take the role as current PKMS/SEC Assistant Principal Ashley Oliver...
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Poteau Pom Squad previews national dance for local crowd
Poteau Pom Squad members sway to the song in their community showcase of their jazz dance that they will perform at the National Dance Association national competition, which will take place Feb. 15-17 in Daytona Beach, Fla., during a community...
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OMLEA Principal of Year honor goes to Gillham
Pansy Kidd Middle School wrapped up a big assembly on Friday morning with Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration Oklahoma Mid-Level Educators Association Executive Director Chuck LeGrande ushering family of PKMS Principal Dr. Bobbi...
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New duplexes in Poteau’s future
Duplexes are in the future for a particular section of Poteau, following business that was discussed during the Poteau City Council meeting on Monday. Fred Harmon will purchase the property and tear down the conditions at 200 and 202 Park Avenue. The...
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LeFlore County EMS prepares to start carrying blood supply
LeFlore County Emergency Medical Services was approved by Oklahoma Blood Institute in November to carry blood in the field to supply for patients. “This is a game-changer,” LeFlore County EMS Director Keith Lickly said. LeFlore County is only the...
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Twelve wins for Viking Wrestling Club at Heavener Runestone Classic
The Vikings Wrestling Club had 50 participants in the Runestone Classic at the Heavener Gym on Nov. 15. The club placed second in the first session and first in the second session, totaling 12 wins. Placing wrestlers: Girls: 8-and-under, 47-51 pounds:...
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Poteau wrestling family gathers for Jack Hornbuckle Night
Current and former Poteau wrestlers surround former Pirates wrestling coach Jack Hornbuckle on Thursday during a moment in his honor after he was inducted into the Oklahoma chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Oct. 4. Hornbuckle began the...
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Cox visits Poteau in bid for state superintendent
Dr. John Cox, the superintendent of Peggs Public School, a K-8 district in northeast Oklahoma, visited Poteau in his fourth campaign for Oklahoma State Superintendent. Cox visited Kiamichi Tech and met with the LeFlore County school superintendents...
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Adopt-an-angel campaign kicks off
LeFlore County Youth Services is starting its fundraising effort for its Christmas Adopt-an-Angel gift drive. This is the 40th year of Adopt-anAngel. LCYS is looking to raise $15,000 for 200 angels, repressenting 200 children and 74 families. A...
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Poteau receives new PARC playground equipment
During the Poteau city council meeting on Monday, action was taken to get playground equipment in place at the Poteau Area Recreational Complex that was acquired through grant funding. The playground equipment was received through a grant from Choctaw...
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Veterans Day parade set to be in Wister
The Veterans Day parade will be Saturday in Wister at 10 a.m. The lineup will be in front of the Wister Gym on Wister Wildcat Way. Those entering should go to Magnolia, turn at Plum Street and then take Jones Street back to the school. Parade entries...
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Halloween trick-or-treat on Dewey Cameron fall carnival cornonation
Left photo, Weston Dunigan, Katness Dunigan, Claire Nuckols and Grayson Spencer waiting to trick-or-treat on Dewey Avenue in Poteau on Friday during Halloween. Right photo, Kate Cooper with Cash Cooper (Bluey), Raelyn Pope (Jesse), Hadley Pope...
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District governor visits Poteau RC
Rotary Club District 6110 Governor John Rains made his visit to the Poteau Rotary Club, giving his personal story and showing opportunities for people to spread joy. Rains, a Sapulpa resident who grew up in Tahlequah, recalled his moment when he was...
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Washburn continues father’s legacy directing Talihina band
Jackson Washburn is in the middle of his first marching season as the Talihina band director. After having officially been the assistant director since September 2023, Washburn took the role of band director after his father, Tim, passed away on Jan....
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LG candidate Weaver fundraises in Poteau
Darrell Weaver, one of the three Republican candidates for lieutenant governor, had a fundraiser at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center on Wednesday. Weaver, who was born in Comanche, is a secondterm state senator serving District 24 and the chair...
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Poteau pom squad raising funds for trip to nationals
The Poteau High School pom squad has qualified for the National Dance Association national compeitition for the second time with second-year coach Megyn Mode. After not being able to raise enough money last year, the pom squad has determined that it...
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Kermit’s wins top prize at KCBS Oklahoma state contest at BalloonFest
Nancy Sipple of Doomsday BBQ shows her Reserve Champion prize while Paul Russell and Heath Netzley of Conway, Ark., with Kermit’s BBQ show their Grand Champion plaque for the Kansas City Barbecue Society Oklahoma state championship that took place...
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Setting strategy for Boys and Girls Club
LeFlore County Boys and Girls Club CEO Marcie Ford developments and plans of the organizations while visiting the Poteau Kiwanis Club on Thursday. Ford became the interim CEO in August 2024, and the interim tag was removed this August. “I started as...
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Poteau school sets budget, tabs Gillham as next assistant superintendent
The Poteau school board approved its 202526 budget based on its estimate of needs during its meeting on Monday. “I know it looks like we’re spending a lot, but we’re starting to tighten down,” Poteau Public Schools Superintendent Scott Kempenich said....
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Howe softball reaches new heights in state final
Howe’s softball team commemorates its Class 2A state runner-up finish on Saturday after its loss to Oktaha in the state final at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. Howe had earned its first fastpitch state tourney win two days earlier...
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Hundreds gather for Taste of LeFlore County
Blaylock Cattle Company sales representative Lee Lale and LeFlore County District 2 Commissioner Josh Blaylock serve at the Taste of LeFlore County on Tuesday at the LeFlore County Museum. A crowd fills tables on Witte Street in downtown Poteau to...
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Major transition coming for Poteau FD
Poteau Fire Department will turn Station 1 in the center of the city into a full-time staff starting in July 2027. The Poteau City Council approved this transition on Monday after Poteau Fire Chief John Ford presented his concerns and plans. “It...
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FNB McAlester supports Taste of LeFlore County
First National Bank McAlester presents a donation for the LeFlore County Historical Society’s Taste of LeFlore County. Pictured in the center is Board Member Pam Mullins with FNB McAlester employees. The Taste of LeFlore County is Thursday near the...
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Poteau SEC students learn possibilities in STEM class
Poteau seventh and eighth-grade students are applying their learning to the medical field in the science, technology, engineering and match class taught by Adrianna Luman. Luman, a first-year teacher who graduated from Western Governors University in...
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Honeyhill Farms cuts ribbon as pumpkin days begin
Honeyhill Farms cuts the ribbon to join the Poteau Chamber on Saturday. Honeyhill Farms on 16659 Old Highway 112 in Poteau is open for people to pick up pumpkins on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. until Oct. 26 or when they run...
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Celebrating Poteau football, band homecoming
Pictured are Poteau band homecoming king Chris Ramirez, left, and homecoming queen America Vivar, right, during homecoming night at Costner Stadium on Friday. See page 7 for the recap of the Poteau-Stilwell homecoming football game.
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EOMC sees highest ER number in four years
The LeFlore County Hospital Authority announced Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center’s highest emergency room volume in four years during its meeting on Tuesday. EOMC had 1,204 emergency room discharges in August. With 17 outpatient surgeries, 19 inpatient...
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Featuring Best of LeFlore County Man and Woman of the Year
For Holt Funeral and Cremation Director T.J. Holt, doing his best for families, often means working through the entire night. Whether the body is to be cremated or set for a funeral, Holt sticks hiimself to the duty of preparing the body until it is...
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Garbage truck flip kills one
A garbage truck turns over in the grass in Poteau on Thursday. At approximately, 8:07 a.m. a garbage truck rollover was reported in Poteau, and Poteau Police and Fire Department and LeFlore County Emergency Medical Service personnel responded. A Green...
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Poteau school board completes estimate of needs
Poteau’s school board ratified its estimate of needs during its meeting on Monday. Poteau put its estimate of needs for the 2024-25 school year at $25,326,121.51forthegeneral fund, $2,784,777.94 for the building fund and $1,914,513.68 for the child...
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Animals setting good examples at LeFlore County Fair
Morgan Shockley leads her grand champion heifer around the arena during the LeFlore County Fair Livestock Show on Saturday at the LeFlore County fairgrounds in Poteau. See a future issue for full results from the livestock show.
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Work Ready Poteau set to be cheerleaders in locals’ job searches
Work Ready Poteau has continued to grow individuals into stellar employees a year since its opening at the south end of Poteau at 213 Kerr Avenue. “A year later, I think we’re doing good things for the community, making a positive impact,” director...
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City approves rezoning for Extreme Work & Play move
During its meeting on Tuesday, the Poteau City Council approved rezoning of property on the south end of the city off state Highway 59 between South McKenna Street and Country Club Road for Jamatt Properties. This will enable a move across the highway...
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Brecheen gives promising projection
On the last day of his August town halls, Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK 2) came to Poteau for a town hall at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center. Whereas Brecheen started taking questions at the beginning of his town halls in the past two years, the...
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Kiamichi Tech aviation course taking off
Every CareerTech site in the Kiamichi Tech district across this pocket of southeast Oklahoma is different, offering students particular opportunities that are specific to the workforce needs of their communities. “You would think that they are very...
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Bursting colors to support missions
In the top photo, Miles for Missions Color Run participants thrust color powder in the air before the run. In the bottom photo, runners take off at the start of the race. Proceeds from the event supported mission trips of Covenant Church.
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Merrick pitches Poteau in governor campaign
Jake Merrick, a candidate for Oklahoma governor, spoke at Patrick Lynch Public Library on Thursday at the LeFlore County Republicans meeting. Merrick, who was a state senator from 202122 representing a district around Yukon, noted his five points...
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Wister celebrates newly paved Wister Wildcat Way
Many count on smoothness when dropping off children and making other stops at schools, and Wister Public Schools made that easier by getting a smooth new Wister Wildcat Way and adjacent parking lots. Wister schools gathered staff, students and local...
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Counting down to LeFlore County Fair
The LeFlore County Fair is two weeks away, running from Sept. 3-6, and the time is coming to prepare exhibits and animals to present. That Saturday, Sept. 6, will feature a morning of animal shows, starting with the pig show at 8 a.m., followed by the...
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Potential jury trial for Dietrich suicide case
Chris Dietrich committed suicide by hanging in the LeFlore County Detention Center in 2023, and a jury trial appears possible for the related case, Joanie Sunde v. LeFlore County Detention Center Public Trust, et al. A joint status report filed Friday...
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Heritage Home Care cuts ribbon, joins Poteau Chamber
Misty Mundy of Heritage Home Care cuts the ribbon to join the Poteau Chamber on Wednesday. Heritage Home provides skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and home health aide services. Heritage Home Care is at 901 Grace...
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New LCYS daycare, youth center to bring children onward, upward
LeFlore County Youth Services opened the Onward Daycare and Upward Youth Center on Friday, moving to provide needed services to children in the community. “Fifty-one years ago, I don’t think Rick Corey imagined that LeFlore County Youth Services...
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Road work near schools rolls along
Jodie Watkins of JOB Construction operates a machine laying asphalt on Mockingbird Lane near the Poteau Seventh and Eighth-Grade Center on Monday. The crew paved Pecan Street on Tuesday. Mockingbird Lane has been closed since Monday due to road work...
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West’s town hall with residents produces lively discourse
State Rep. Rick West spent time on Friday engaging a gathering of between 35 and 40 people on issues of the state at Patrick Lynch Public Library in Poteau. Much of the discussion centered around education. The topic was raised of Oklahoma being...
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LeFlore County assessor’s office navigating catchup situation
LeFlore County Assessor Deanna Morrison faces a major challenge in getting county assessment on track after properties in the county had not been properly done for years. “We have many structures across the county that have not been picked up over the...
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Mazey faces embezzlement charge
Former Poteau football head coach Forrest Mazey is facing an embezzlement charge in Pittsburg County District Court. Charges were filed by Pittsburg County District Attorney Chuck Sullivan on July 14, and he was scheduled for a preliminary hearing this...
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Advocating for children as CASA volunteer
Justin Releford, who learned values of service from growing up in Fort Coffee, presented opportunities for serving as a CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer while visiting the Poteau Rotary Club on Wednesday. Releford recalled doing...
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Pirate Connect boosts students
Hundreds of highschool students will be stepping closer to graduation as they start the school year in the coming weeks. Some of them are taking alternative paths toward the completion of this stage of their education. Poteau Public Schools...
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In-house speech therapy benefits Poteau
The Poteau school board made several preparations for the upcoming school year during its meeting on Monday with the first day being three weeks away. A 3.8-percent increase in school student meals, from $3.88 to $4.02, is coming for Poteau High...
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Making waystations for monarchs
Liz Currens explained on Wednesday during the Poteau Rotary Club meeting about how she and Carl Albert State College students have cared for a monarch waystation on the CASC campus. “It just needs a little bit of time and someone to dig it up and...
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Luke wins gold in SkillsUSA
Recent Kiamichi Tech graduate Joshua Luke of Poteau brought home the gold medal in the Customer Service Leadership Contest at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held in Atlanta from June 25-26. Guiding Joshua every step of the way...
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Poteau renews contract with Green Country Sanitation
The Poteau City Council renewed its contract with the Green Country Sanitation during its meeting on Monday. The price remains the same as last year. “Sometimes I get a lot of calls on our trash. It’s not a perfect situation,” Poteau Mayor Scotty...
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First Independence Day parade for one set of children
Pictured are Autumn Orzol, Kade Orzol, Noah Orzol, Olivia Silva, Blaine Ralls and Blakelyn Ralls before an Independence Day parade on Friday. Patrick Lynch Public Library Summer Reading Prize winners
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Kiamichi Tech Poteau graduates 18 practical nursing students
Eighteen Practical Nursing students graduated from Kiamichi Tech Poteau on June 26. According to program director, Shelly Swalley, Practical Nursing graduates complete 1,508 hours of class time and clinical hours. Students attend classes Monday-Friday...
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New phase of Spiro Park updates coming
Another phase of improvements is coming to Spiro City Park later this year. In May, Spiro City Council reviewed the plan, which is supported by Land and Water Conservation Grant, which is a 50-50 matching grant front the state. The improvements...
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Coming together for a healthier community
Residents of Fort Coffee met with people from a handful of health care organizations on Friday for lunch and a health fair presented by Heart of Hospice at the Fort Coffee Senior Citizens Center. The Senior Care Alliance, the Alzheimer’s Association...
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Two gas stations moving along in LeFlore County
A new understorage tank went in the ground at the Hugs and Buscuits location being built in Howe. Substantial progress has been made at this location. A hole opens for a water line for the Casey’s gas station being built near the Panama Elementary...
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Enjoying Talihina Street Carnival
Tina Stinson-Mills (a.k.a. Talihina Tina) acts as the clown for the Talihina Street Carnival on Saturday. She was pushing a cart with $300 worth of items and selling raffle tickets for them.
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CASC makes student center top priority
At their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, the regents of Carl Albert State College unanimously agreed to make the ongoing re-model of the Costner-Balentine Student Center a No. 1 priority for 2026. The overall goal of the remodel is to...
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