I was a freshman in high school when an announcement came over the school intercom. Our school was going to have a swim team. Anyone who might be interested in joining the team should show up at the p...

As the VIM model suggests, Clyde and Thelma’s joint ‘V’ (Vision) called for a necessary ‘I’ (Intention) if their dream or vision was to come to pass. Finally, the actual fruit of their purposeful, int...

DEAR ABBY: We recently suffered the loss of our first grandchild. She was only 24 and taken far too soon. My partner and I are working through our grief, which is challenging as we are in different st...

Last week, we discussed the cuts to programs through HR 1 at the federal level and what those cuts would do to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds allocated to states. You can read ...

DEAR ABBY: I have a roommate, “Don,” I have lived with for 11 years. At first, we were dating, but we broke up, and Don moved out for a year. We remained friends, and he moved back in to help me with ...

This article kicks off Econ Dev 101 - a local series aimed at demystifying what economic development really looks like in a place like Okmulgee. Over the next few months, we’ll explore everything from...

DEAR ABBY: I am recently divorced after a 37year marriage. My boyfriend, “Grant,” has been divorced for a long time. He is a lovely man - honest, intelligent, healthy, helpful, neat and a great commun...

One of the favorite retreats for my family was Laguna Beach. As you might be able to tell by the name, it was a lagoon. It was connected to the Pacific Ocean, but was protected from the waves. We went...

What sensibly-thinking (unskilled) laborer surrenders his ditch-digger shovel to chase after and secure an even lesser-paying job? A reasonable question. When he spotted the simple flyer announcing, “...

Kenny Wilson, with Patrons Bank in Henryetta, graduated from the Oklahoma Bankers Association’s 2024-25 Emerging Leaders Academy at the OBA’s 128th Convention on Tuesday, May 13, at the Skirvin Hilton...

DEAR ABBY: My best friend “Carla” and I haven’t spoken for several years, which breaks my heart. Her son was getting married. The dress was evening cocktail attire. The venue was an hour and a half fr...

Prior to the Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1, commonly called the “Big, Beautiful Bill” Act. The vote of 215214 fell almost exactly on a party-line vote. The bill n...

Clutching her tan suitcase, Thelma stepped aboard the Greyhound bus. With her free hand, she swept a film of dust from an empty seat. Dust. It was like a crazed intruder. “What is it like anyway,” The...

Once while living in Alaska, a group of men from our church went out to collect firewood for our wood-burning stoves. Now, a wood-burning stove was important where we lived because the power lines wen...

Editor’s Note: This column was written in 2009. -This is the time of the year when folks start thinking about what kind of vacation they’ll take. In a few days, the kids will be out of school for a fe...

DEAR ABBY: My late husband and I were married 38 years when we finally went to marriage counseling. I found out then that he had slept with my sister early in our marriage. I had suspected he’d also h...

Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders have announced an agreement for the key elements to the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. The plan for the estimated $12.6 billion budget includes an income tax c...

DEAR ABBY: I have been married 10 years. My husband is from another country, and the last six years haven’t been easy. I’ve been the sole provider for our family, on the advice of our lawyer, while we...

DEAR ABBY: I am at the end of my rope with a relative. She lies constantly. She makes up elaborate stories that I have Googled and proven false. For instance, she claimed she went to high school with ...

Serving up his African cuisine in his modest Washington apartment, Naphtali launched into questions. Ann and I responded, returning the volley. “Reconnecting with old friends is like opening a time ca...