DURANT –– For the second year in a row, Southeastern Oklahoma State University will be the site of a PI-STEM Summer Academy for students who will be in 8th or 9th grade in the fall of 2022. The application period begins on March 1, and the selection of participants will begin on April 1.

There’s nothing more important to our future than our teachers. That’s why the people of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas have created a new award to honor our state’s exceptional teachers. The 10 winners will receive $5,000 each, and an additional $2,000 will be awarded to their schools.

DURANT –– The Choctaw Nation Community Partnership Fund (CCPF) distributed more than $2 million to its neighbors in surrounding communities through voluntary contributions in 2021. The funding supported a wide variety of projects throughout southeastern Oklahoma, including road improvements, recreational facilities, public safety, law enforcement vehicles and COVID-19 mitigation.

Felony 011 – Tom Walter White: Interference with performance of firemans duties. 012 – Darrel Blake Shawhart: Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Oklahoma State University awarded degrees to 1,825 students this past fall, including 1,159 Oklahomans, according to the Office of the Registrar. Graduates are listed by their hometowns, along with degree and subject area.

Southeastern Oklahoma Library System (SEOLS) will once again provide free prom apparel for area youth regardless of their income. The Prom Mobile — a free mobile prom shop produced by the Southeast Oklahoma Library System — will travel to each of the 16 locations in the library system so young men and women will have the opportunity to try on any of the formal apparel and take one home free of charge.

Congratulations to Kiamichi Technology Center’s December Students of the Month: Joshua Roberts and Curtney Smith! Joshua, a junior at Boswell High School, is a student in the Diesel Technology program. Curtney, adult Student of the Month, is a student in the Heavy Equipment program. Joshua and Curtney were each presented with a $50 check from FirstBank.

Friday, Feb. 25 Fish French Fries Pinto Beans Hush Puppies Banana Pudding.

One of the strongest cold fronts you will ever see in our area as we go from near 70 degrees on Tuesday to freezing rain and sleet on Wednesday. I think this winter storm will continue to hammer our area through Thursday morning and we could even have thunder during the freezing rain and that is not good because you can get a big ice accumulation. More precipitation could come this weekend, but a warming trend is on the way with temperatures climbing into the 50s by Sunday and Monday.

Today’s Scripture: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.