DURANT –– As COVID-19 cases and holiday travel increase in the area, the Choctaw Nation Emergency Management is delivering pallets of free masks across the Nation’s jurisdiction to try and reduce the spread of Coronavirus.

It looks like we are going to stay in a very active weather pattern through Thursday with occasional rain and possibly a thunderstorm or two –– very wet weather leading us up to the new year. Skies will become partly sunny with highs in the mid-40s on New Year’s Day and we will enjoy dry weather for the weekend with highs in the 50s. I expect us to hit 60 degrees early next week.

Six-year-old Johnny longed for, prayed and dreamed about getting a pony for his birthday. In his eyes, he truly NEEDED a pony. Uncle Jim knew all about Johnny’s dream. But he also was very aware of the prohibitive cost. Being a realist, he despised the weak, hopeful attitude of his nephew. So he set about teaching Johnny a lesson not to be forgotten.

Felony 103 – Thomas Raymond 103 – Thomas Raymond Phillips III: Murder in the first degree, deliberate intent. 104 – Justin Lee Jordan: Larceny of auto, aircraft, or other motor vehicle.

FORT TOWSON — An evening of preholiday relaxation turned deadly at Tommy’s Bar, located on the west side of Fort Towson last week. According to a statement by investigating officer, OSBI Agent Sonny Stewart, Thomas Ray Phillips III and his wife were among a number of patrons inside Tommy’s Bar a few minutes before midnight (11:57) on Saturday, Dec.

PUSHMATAHA COUNTY –– Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) agents arrested a Moyers Public Schools coach for inappropriately touching a female student. On Dec.

FORT TOWSON –– The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is investigating a double homicide in Choctaw County. The investigation began on Dec. 23, 2020 at approximately 9:18 a.m., when Choctaw County dispatch received a report of an overturned vehicle.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma State Department of Health reported last week that all 66,200 of the initial expected doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the state. The Moderna vaccine does not require ultracold storage temperatures, and as a result, presents fewer logistical challenges than the Pfizer vaccine.