OKLAHOMA CITY – Key legislation to eliminate an archaic state law that forces retailers to add a 6% markup to everyday consumer goods is one step closer to the governor’s desk. The Unfair Sales Act – legislation from Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, RBartlesville, and House Majority Deputy Floor Leader Steve Bashore, R-Miami – passed the House unanimously on Tuesday, putting the Oklahoma Legislature one step closer to eliminating a relatively unknown price hike on groceries and consumer goods.

MUSKOGEE — The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Armondo Joseph Palma, age 23, and Brooklyn Elaine Wilson, age 28, of Howe, Okla., were sentenced in federal district court for sexually abusing a child under the age of 12.

• In wound healing and clinical excellence in patient satisfaction and wound healing rates Physicians, leaders and clinicians at Paris Regional Health announce that Paris Regional Health Wound Care Center has been awarded the prestigious Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Clinical Excellence Award by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services.

• Oklahoma Human Services to begin processing Cohort 10, will host informational meetings Oklahoma has made a dramatic reduction in the wait time for Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) — from 13 years in 2022 to just one year in 2025. The shortened wait follows legislative investments beginning in 2022, when the state allocated funds to address a backlog of more than 5,000 applicants.

Shape Your Future, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is encouraging Oklahoma students, families and school staff to get active and roll into class this May 8 in celebration of National Bike and Roll to School Day. The event also encourages communities across the state to promote safe, accessible routes for students who choose to bike, walk, scoot, skate or roll to school –– including those in wheelchairs, strollers or other mobility devices.

• Haven Apartments now accepting 6–12-month leases The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma officially opened its newest multi-family housing unit in Durant, Okla., with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 22. The Haven Apartments in Durant, located on 25 acres, offers 216 oneand two-bedroom units providing a comfortable and convenient living experience.

• Consumers urged to not click links from unknown sources or give out personal information The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is advising consumers to be wary of the pervasive smishing text scam plaguing Oklahomans this week. Scam text messages have been targeting tolling authorities nationwide for the past year.

Members of the Choctaw County Bar Association will participate in the statewide Ask A Lawyer event on Thursday, May 1, in celebration of Oklahoma’s annual Law Day. During the event, attorney J. Frank Wolf III, who serves as the local Law Day chair, will work in conjunction with the Oklahoma Bar Association Law Day Committee and hundreds of other lawyers across the state to provide free legal advice to Oklahomans.

Martha Jo (Robinson) Arbuckle, age 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 22, 2024.

Phillip Eugene Wafford, resident of Pomaria, S.C., passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Newberry Health, in Newberry, S.C. He was born on April 9, 1977 in Hugo, Okla., and grew up in Wright City, Okla.