the point Much has been written and a good bit of bloviation has followed announcements by our federal government more than a year ago about converting over $40 Billion in taxpayer dollars into better Internet service to much of rural America. Since that time, many states, (Oklahoma included) have created government agencies whose purpose revolves specifically around the implementation of federal grants to Internet service providing companies.

Turnpike Bill Pits Governor against Lawmakers I am getting numerous questions about a vote I took last week. The Oklahoma Public Safety Committee heard Senate Bill 675, which would allow the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunication System to identify tribal citizens’ vehicle information for the purpose of charging turnpike fees.

SOPER — Candidates interested in filing for Trustee of the Township of Soper will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning 8 a.m. Monday, April 28.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen reintroduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from mandating speed limiters on vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) above 26,000 pounds. The speed limiter rule, originally proposed by the Obama Administration and revived under President Biden, would harm both the agricultural and trucking industries by impacting commercial transport. This rule would impact semi-trucks, grain haulers, large bulk feed trucks, large flatbed trucks, dump trucks, furniture trucks, and other vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 26,000 pounds if they cross state lines.

Responding to Hugo News inquiry about Pine Cellular/ Broadband’s build-out of more than 1,300 Choctaw County homes with fiber Internet: “We have finally been released to get work started. We are having a ground breaking on May 2, in Hugo area. Pine has let contracts and expects to have construction moving in a big way in Choctaw County. This will be a big year for construction and service deployment.

to point Publisher Southeast Oklahoma got some great news last week when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) handed down a final order dismissing its application for construction permits. We have to hand out lots of kudos and plaudits to our Kiamichi River Basin neighbors up in Pushmataha County who battled in opposition to this project.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, the vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee, called on Gov. Kevin Stitt to return Mark Goeller, the former state forester and director of Oklahoma Forestry Services, to his job. The governor fired Goeller after wildfires devastated much of the state beginning March 14. The fires left four dead, 200 injured and more than 400 homes and other structures damaged or completely destroyed.

to to the point Publisher Towns and communities across the Americas are getting older... just like many citizens.

A member of the House of Representatives is trying to exempt the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma City from any future government shutdowns. The school churns out thousands of trained air traffic controllers at a time when there’s a national shortage.

Comments to: andybowman839@gmail.com Coffeetimecolumn. com You are aging, every second you are alive, that is an inescapable fact. And right along with that joyous and party-mood-making pronouncement is another fact. Multiple years of aging most always brings on a certain amount of physical pain.