The City of Newcastle has received multiple complaints regarding children and teenagers jumping from the top of the bridge into the pond at Veterans Park. Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Marks said this has become a growing safety issue, and they ask parents and guardians to address it immediately.

“The water beneath the bridge is only approximately three feet deep, and even when the pond is completely full, the depth is only about four feet,” Marks said. “Jumping from the bridge into water this shallow creates a serious risk of severe injury, including head, neck, back, and spinal injuries.”

Marks said in addition, the pond is a fishing pond. Fishing hooks, fishing line, and other fishing-related debris may be present in and around the water, creating additional hazards for anyone entering the pond.

“Please remember that swimming, wading, and entering the pond are not permitted at any time,” he said.

Law enforcement has already been contacted regarding this activity, and City staff continue to receive reports and complaints from concerned residents.

Marks said, “Parents and guardians, please take a moment to discuss these dangers with your children. These rules are in place to protect the safety of everyone who visits the park and to prevent a serious injury from occurring. Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep Newcastle’s parks safe for all visitors.”

These academies include the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and the United States Naval Academy.

Congressman Cole, along with the help of his staff, selected these appointees by hand and met with them last week.

After meeting with the appointees, Congressman Cole said, “Those who answer the call to serve are our nation’s finest – and that includes these eight young Oklahomans. I am so proud of these men and women for their choice to attend a challenging yet rewarding military academy. They really are some of the best and brightest and I have no doubt that they will go on to do amazing things serving our country as part of the Armed Forces.”

The list below includes the names and high school information of the appointees, as well as the academies to which they have been appointed

United States Air Force Academy

Brandon Heckethorn – Lone Grove High School Tessa Inman – Lindsay High School Simon Marchesano – Moore High School (Also was offered the U.S. Naval Academy) Gregory Williams – Norman North High School United States Merchant Marine Academy Joseph McCormick – Mc-Cormick Home School United States Naval Academy

Julianna Chesnut – Rush Springs High School (Also was offered U.S. Military Academy at West Point) Gracie Ragland – Byng High School Ezekiel Stoda – Blanchard High School (Also was offered U.S. Military Academy at West Point)

The financial pinch families feel from rising prices is undeniable. Yet too few understand that government is responsible for soaring prices.

Consider college costs. The massive government subsidies provided to colleges, through free-flowing student loans, billions in state and local tax dollars, government’s cultural overemphasis on a college degree, and the complicit “paper ceiling” at many businesses, make students much less price sensitive. Colleges have responded by hiking tuition.

According to JP Morgan, the cost of clothing has increased 35% since 1983 while gas increased 182%. But college tuition has soared 914%.

Has the value of a college degree increased more than 900 percent? No. But colleges are free to pretend otherwise.

We see the same thing in healthcare. Two government programs, Medicaid and Medicare, supposedly cover medical treatment, but they shortchange providers, leading to cost-shifting onto everyone else.

Government also gives tax breaks for employer health plans but not individual plans.

Those with private insurance cannot obtain transparent pricing prior to treatment.

A market in which third parties dominate and prices are hidden is one where rapid price increases become the norm. Obamacare supercharged the fire by setting price controls requiring health insurance premiums to allocate a set percentage of 87% to health expenses, thus fueling incentives for ever-increasing costs.

That’s why JP Morgan determined medical-care costs have increased 505% since 1983 even as technological advances lowered prices elsewhere.

Government drives up housing costs, typically through regulations that either increase the expense of construction or deter it altogether— then subsidize the demand side, making matters worse.

Government regulations deter oil-and-gas drilling in many locations while providing massive subsidies to “green” energy that is not truly viable. The end result is we all pay more for energy. Utility prices in Europe and the U.S. have been soaring because of climate alarmists controlling utility energy policy, forcing the shuttering of fossil-fuel generation, all while utility consumption for livelihoods and technology use has increased.

Automobiles prices have also been hiked by government, particularly through “environmental” regulations that force cars to include unnecessary but price-boosting technology. And things are made worse by policies that encourage the destruction of older-but-cheaper cars that many low-income people once drove.

Food-and-grocery prices have surged due to government policy prior to, during and post COVID and throughout the Biden administration. Printing more than a trillion new dollars did not make families more financially secure; it simply meant more dollars were chasing the same amount of goods, driving up prices–not to mention Federal Reserve policy that seeks inflation of 2% per year.

When it comes to inflation, government is the problem, not the solution.

By Melanie Hall,

Administrator, Oklahoma Department of Securities

After a long day of work and responsibility, many of us unwind the same way, by scrolling through our phones. Maybe you’re catching up on friends’ social media posts, checking sports scores or browsing headlines. Then suddenly, a video grabs your attention. A polished CEO appears on screen, confidently discussing a promising investment opportunity. The message is clear, professional, and persuasive. The potential returns sound promising.

At first glance, everything seems legitimate. But what if the person speaking isn’t real at all? Today, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made it possible for fraudsters to create highly convincing deepfake videos and cloned voices designed to build trust quickly and manipulate potential investors. What looks like a credible business leader could actually be a digitally generated avatar reading a carefully scripted message.

Some Oklahomans have also reported receiving urgent phone calls from voices that sound strikingly similar to family members or close friends. In these situations, scammers may use AI voice-cloning technology to create panic or urgency, hoping victims will send money or share sensitive financial information before realizing the call is a scam.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of our everyday lives. Individuals are using AI tools to improve productivity, plan schedules, organize finances, and even enhance creativity. Businesses are leveraging the technology to improve customer service, analyze data, and streamline operations.

Unfortunately, bad actors are evolving just as quickly. They are using generative AI to produce more sophisticated scams that feel personal and believable and are difficult to detect. AI can mimic speech patterns, facial expressions, and writing styles with increasing accuracy. These tools allow scammers to expand their efforts, targeting more people with messages that feel tailored and authentic.

Investment fraud involving AI is an emerging concern nationwide, and Oklahomans should take extra care. While the technology itself is not inherently harmful, the misuse of AI can have serious financial consequences. Falling victim to a fraudulent investment scheme can lead to lost savings, damaged credit, and long-term financial hardship.

The good news is that there are practical steps individuals can take to reduce their risk. Awareness and preparation are powerful tools in preventing fraud.

Codeword: Consider creating a secret word or phrase with family members to confirm identity during unexpected or urgent requests.

Listen: Pay attention to tone and word choice during phone calls or voice messages. If something sounds unusual, overly urgent, or inconsistent with how a loved one normally communicates, take a moment to pause.

Verify: If you receive an unexpected call requesting financial information or money, hang up and contact the person or organization directly using a trusted phone number.

Inspect: Look closely at videos or images for subtle irregularities, such as unnatural movements, distorted features, unrealistic accessories, or mismatched audio timing. Always research investment opportunities using multiple reliable sources.

Protect: Limit the amount of personal information you share publicly online. Scammers often use publicly available photos, videos, or voice recordings to build convincing fake identities. Never share sensitive financial information with individuals you have only met online or over the phone.

Implement: Use technology to your advantage. Keep software and apps updated to install the latest security protections. Create strong, unique passwords and regularly review privacy and security settings on financial and social media accounts.

Technology will continue to evolve, and artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in how we live and work. While new innovations can feel intimidating, they also offer tremendous opportunities when used responsibly.

By staying informed and taking simple preventive steps, Oklahomans can protect themselves while still embracing the benefits of modern technology. In many cases, a moment of caution today can prevent serious financial harm tomorrow.

( EDITOR’S NOTE — Melanie Hall is the Administrator of the Oklahoma Department of Securities. The Department protects the investing public and maintains market integrity through the administration and enforcement of Oklahoma’s securities laws. The Department also educates investors about investing and helps them learn to identify and avoid securities fraud. For more information, visit securities.ok.gov and investedok. org.)

Ellis contacted the Newcastle Pacer to say Carroll is his biological father, however, Carroll was not the person who raised him and there was never a parent-child relationship.

Rural communities looking to improve electricity reliability and affordability may be eligible for support through the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP).

The program, offered through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, provides funding and technical assistance to help eligible communities build, operate, or improve microgrid systems. Proposals are due July 2 and may include requests of $200,000 to $575,000 and up to 24 months of technical assistance. Projects must serve areas with populations of no more than 10,000 people and high electricity costs.

Americans living and working in remote areas often have less reliable energy systems and some of the highest energy costs. For rural communities, tribes, energy cooperatives, local governments, and nonprofits, microgrids can strengthen local energy systems and better prepare for future needs.

A microgrid is a local energy system that can operate with the larger electric grid or independently when needed. As a result, communities with a microgrid can keep power flowing during outages, reduce dependence on long-distance power lines or imported fuel, and support more stable energy costs.

C-MAP funding can support planning, design, coordination, and improvement activities. Previous awards have included efforts to develop workforce and maintenance strategies for isolated areas, complete feasibility assessments and construction-ready designs for microgrids with battery storage and on-site generation, and explore ways to increase tribal revenues and reduce fuel imports through electrification for power generation, heating, and transportation.

For many rural communities, early infrastructure planning like engineering studies and technical assessments can be difficult to fund. C-MAP can help with those first steps and build stronger partnerships with utilities, technical experts, and local development organizations.

( EDITOR’S NOTE — For more information or to apply for Microgrid Support Services, visit energy.gov/oe/community-microgrid-assistancepartnership or view the full funding opportunity on sam.gov.)

Coach Ross joins Newcastle after spending the past 16 years at Northwest Classen, where he built one of the state’s premier soccer programs.

During his tenure, the program captured a State Championship, finished as State Runner-Up, and made five semifinal appearances.

Ross has been recognized extensively for his leadership and success, earning West All-State Coach honors three times, ACAC Coach of the Year three times, and OSSAA State Coach of the Year honors for the 2019-2020 season.

A native of El Reno, Ross continued his academic and athletic career at Mid-America Christian University, where he served as a two-year captain, earned All-Region honors, and graduated with degrees in Mathematics and Business.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, athletes, and families of Newcastle,” Ross said. “I’m excited to build on the incredible foundation that has been laid within the soccer program. I want to help create an environment where we see each other as family. We serve one another, take care of one another, and love one another on and off the field.”

Matt and his wife, Meagan, are proud parents to their daughter, Maycie, and son, Sawyer.

The Racer Athletics program asks you to join them in welcoming Coach Ross and his family to the Newcastle community.

They stated, “We are excited for the future of Newcastle Soccer under his leadership.”

First Team selections were Tyler Frazier for outfield, and Kaden Longman at pitcher. Selected to the second team was outfielder Ryder Gibson.

Honorable Mention recipients were Baylor Blakey, Christian Deloera, and Lane Seaton.

In a release, Newcastle Athletics states, “These honors are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment each player displayed throughout the season. Newcastle is proud of your accomplishments and the way you represented the Racers both on and off the field. Congratulations, gentlemen. Your community, teammates, coaches, and families are proud of you.”

The Racers were Regional and Area champs but got beat out at State in the quarterfinals.

No. 51
June 4, June 11, June 18,
June 25, 2026
4 times

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 8TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR BAKER COUNTY, FLORIDA

Case No: 2026 DR 155

LESLIE BROOKE DELGADO
Petitioner

and

Heather Ariel Lingle
Respondent

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR

PETITION FOR TEMPORARY
CUSTODY BY EXTENDED FAMILY

TO: HEATHER LINGLE
420 TENNESEE AVE., NEWCASTLE, OK 73065

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Temporary custody by extended family has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Leslie Delgado, whose address is 10983 N. Country Road, 125 Glen Saint Mary FL 32040 on or before July 16, 2026, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 339 E. Macclenny Ave., Macclenny, FL 32063 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: May 22, 2026
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
By: /s/ Melissa Sanders
(Deputy Clerk)
_________________
No. 54
June 11, June 18, 2026
2 times

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR AN
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

In accordance with Title 37, section 522 and Title 37A, section 2-141 RCL Properties LLC a/an Limited Liability Company hereby publishes notice of its intention to apply within sixty days from this date to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission for a Mixed Beverage License under authority of and in compliance with said Act: That it intend (s), if granted such license to operate as a Mixed Beverage establishment with business premises located at 622 N.W. 32nd Street, in Newcastle, McClain County, Oklahoma under the business name Casa Jalisco.  Dated this 2nd day of June 2026.
Jose Zarate,
County of McClain, State of Oklahoma
___________
No. 56
June 11, June 18, 2026
2 times

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

The City of Newcastle will receive sealed bids at the Office of the City Clerk, Newcastle City Hall, 120 NE 2nd St., P.O. Box 179, Newcastle, OK 73065, until 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for materials and installation for each of the following components for the NEWCASTLE SPORTS COMPLEX, PHASE I (Project location: 3009 SH-130, Newcastle Oklahoma):

1. CONCRETE—with installation
Concrete Sidewalk:  1,144.9 Sq. Yds.
Concrete Curb & Gutter: 1,492 l.f.
Concrete Header Curb:  3,282 l.f.
12” R.C. Pipe Class III: 232 l.f.
2-12” Type AA4 Culvert End Treatments: 4 ea.

2. STRIPING—with installation
4” White Stripe (Paint):  6,487 l.f.
4” Yellow Stripe (Paint):  1,296 l.f.
Symbols (Arrows)(Paint): 36 ea.
Symbols (ADA)(Paint): 12 ea.

3. FLEXAMAT—with installation
224 Sq. Yds.

Awards of bids will be made for each of the three (3) components of concrete, striping and Flexamat.  Bids shall be submitted by separate sealed bid for EACH component bid upon, plainly labeled “Newcastle Sports Complex, Phase I” with the name of the bid component enclosed, i.e. “Concrete”, “Striping” or “Flexamat”.  All subparts of the bid components for materials and installation must be itemized and totaled.  Contractors bidding on more than one component must submit separate bids, clearly labeled, for each component.  

Sealed bids received by 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, will be publicly opened and read aloud at said time and date, separately for each component, at Newcastle City Hall, Large Conference Room, 120 NE 2nd St., Newcastle, Oklahoma.  Email or digital bid proposals will not be accepted.

Each sealed bid must include a Bid Bond in an amount not less than 5.0% of the total bid, guaranteeing that, if awarded the contract, the bidder will execute an Agreement and furnish required bonds within the specified time.  Separate bid bonds shall be provided for each component for which a bid is submitted.  A non-collusion affidavit shall be submitted with each bid.

Bidding RFIs may be sent to construction@guernsey.us  All bidders shall comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and certify they are an equal opportunity employer without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or physical handicap.  

The City of Newcastle reserves the right to waive any informality in the bidding process and the right to reject any and all bids in accordance with the Oklahoma Competitive Bidding Act.
_____________________
No. 57
June 18
1 time

Case No. CJ-2026-117

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

ANTHONY FENLY; UNKNOWN SPOUSE, IF ANY, OF ANTHONY FENLEY; UNKNOWN HEIRS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF ANTHONY FENLY; TINKER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; UNKOWN TENANT, IF ANY, OF 1317 N. COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, NEWCASTLE, OK 73065
The above stated Defendants will take notice that the Plaintiff, Tinker Federal Credit Union, filed its Petition in the District Court in and for McClain County, State of Oklahoma, against the above stated Defendants, and said Defendants must answer said Petition on or before the 3 day of August, 2026, or said Petition will be taken as true, and a judgment will be rendered in said action against the above named Defendants, foreclosing their interest in the following described real estate, to wit:

A TRACT OF LAND OUT OF THE EAST HALF (E/2) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE/4) OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (NE/4) OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (NE/4) OF SECTION SIXTEEN (16), TOWNSHIP NINE (9) NORTH, RANGE FOUR (4) WEST OF THE INDIAN MERIDIAN, MCCLAIN COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, DESCRIBED BY METES AND BOUNDS AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NE CORNER OF THE E/2 SE/4 NE/4 NE/4 OF SECTION 16; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 01’15” WEST ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID E/2 SE/4 NE/4 NE/4 FOR A DISTANCE OF 330.59 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89 DEGREES 52’14” WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 329.97 FEET TO THE WEST LINE OF THE E/2 SE/4 NE/4 NE/4; THEN NORTH 00 DEGREES 01’18” EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF THE E/2 SE/4 NE/4 NE/4 FOR A DISTANCE OF 329.95 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. LESS AND EXCEPT ROADWAY AND UTILITY EASEMENTS ACROSS THE NORTH 25 FEET AND THE EAST 33 FEET OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED LANDS.

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1317 N. COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, 
NEWCASTLE, OK 73065

and a judgment will be rendered on the promissory notes against the Defendant, Anthon Fenly, adjudging that default has been made in said notes and mortgages; and that Plaintiff has valid, prior and superior mortgage liens on said real estate in the amount of $161,705.98, and in the amount of $131,138.82, with applicable interest, attorney’s fees and costs, for all of which judgment will be taken.

Dated this 8 day of June, 2026.
Court Clerk of McClain County
By /s/ Karen Weltmer
Deputy

W. Brent Kelley, OBA 11380
KELLEY & TAYLOR, P.C.
Attorneys for Plaintiff
3001 Oklahoma Tower
210 Park Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (404) 848-6803
_____________
No. 58
June 18, 2026
1 time

Board of McClain County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, 6/8/2026 at 8:15 a.m. in Room 309 of the McClain County Courthouse. Chairman Wilson Lyles called the meeting to order and led the flag salute. County Clerk Rebekah Couch called the roll and those present were: Chairman Wilson Lyles, Vice Chairman Terry Daniel, and Member Glen Murray.
Terry Daniel moved to approve the minutes from June 1, 2026, Glen Murray seconded. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve the following maintenance and operation claims. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
CLAIMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AS FOLLOWS:
CCSI 11, Turn Key Health Clinics, 9880.83, Service;
Em Mgmt-ST 102, Eureka Water, 86.19, Supplies 103, OSU Fire Service Training, 19.00, BLS ecard 104, Roth, Saundra M., 360.00, Contract Labor;
Extension-ST 124, Amazon Capital Services, 74.15, Supplies 125, Amazon Capital Services, 270.68, Supplies 126, Amazon Capital Services, 99.28, Supplies 127, Conner, Nicole, 255.27, Travel 128, Dumas, Emily, 1738.40, Travel 129, Eskimo Joes Promotional Products, 1037.93, Supplies 130, McDaniel, Justin, 580.80, Travel 131, Oklahoma Copier Solutions, 178.16, Contract Services 132, Oklahoma State University, 139.63, P Card Transactions 133, Oklahoma State University, 1624.97, Computer Desktop 134, Vandaveer, Laura A., 763.98, Travel 135, Wollenberg, Connie, 587.65, Travel;
General 1858, Amazon Capital Services, 31.99, Supplies 1859, Blanchard News, 96.00, Publication 1860, Best Buy Business Advantage, 129.99, Subscription 1861, Blanchard News, 405.90, Minutes 1862, Classic Paper Supply, 455.36, Supplies 1863, Comdata MasterCard Program, 931.41, Fuel, Service & Auto Supplies 1864, Clearfly, 288.32, Service 1865, DetectaChem, 369.33, Supplies 1866, Delta Community Action, 9600.00, Annual Rent 1867, Davison Fuels & Oil, 3942.47, Fuel 1868, Express Services, 1366.74, Contract Labor 1869, Eureka Water, 165.29, Supplies 1870, Eureka Water, 53.74, Supplies 1871, Eureka Water, 53.74, Supplies 1872, Grady Co Criminal Justice Authority, 1265.00, Detention Services 1873, Garvin County Sheriff’s Office, 4290.00, Detention Services 1874, Johnson Controls Fire Protection, 471.43, Service 1875, Johnson Controls Fire Protection, 376.00, Service 1876, Johnson Control Building Solutions, 2792.15, Service & Installation 1877, Mollmans Water Conditioning, 566.85, Supplies 1878, M And M Mowers, 112.00, Mower Parts 1879, ODP Business Solutions, 2312.46, Office Supplies 1880, OMG National, 705.28, Supplies 1881, Okla Dept Of Public Safety-OLETS, 184.00, Service 1882, Pontotoc County Sheriff Office, 1885.00, Detention Services 1883, Purcell Register, 364.00, Paper 1884, Purcell Register, 207.20, Publication 1885, Quadient Leasing USA, 4952.04, Postage Machine Lease 1886, Quill, 203.57, Office Supplies 1887, Robbins Ace Of Purcell, 54.02, Supplies 1888, Regional Organized Crime Info Center, 500.00, Service 1889, Rockys Professional Plumbing, 1754.00, Service 1890, Turn Key Health Clinics, 12363.15, Service 1891, Verizon, 180.03, Service 1892, W W Tire, 418.42, Tires 1893, Anchor Communications Team, 300.00, Service 1894, Anchor Communications Team, 550.00, Service 1895, Classic Paper Supply, 1497.53, Supplies 1896, Davison Fuels & Oil, 3725.24, Fuel 1897, J & J Cleaners, 15.70, Service 1898, JD Oasis, 21600.00, Visual Inspections;
General Govt-ST 49, Atwood Distributing, 429.63, Supplies 50, Annie And Lloyd Tree And Landscape, 2736.00, Contract Labor 51, Robbins Ace Of Purcell, 401.45, Supplies 52, O Reilly Automotive Stores, 208.24, Parts & Supplies;
Health 275, Amazon Capital Services, 40.98, Supplies 276, Cardio Partners, 522.00, Supplies 277, City Of Blanchard, 90.83, Service 278, City Of Blanchard, 36.53, Service 279, Clifford Power Systems, 472.00, Service 280, Eureka Water, 127.44, Supplies 281, EnviroDispose, 525.00, Service 282, Facility Care, 2025.00, Service 283, Green House Lawn Care, 420.00, Lawn Service 284, Miner Lawn Care, 300.00, Lawn Service 285, Purcell Public Schools, 1965.27, Rent 286, Quadient Finance USA, 191.85, Postage 287, VIP Voice Services, 1066.62, Service;
Highway 1792, ACCO, 165.00, Conference 1793, ACCO, 95.00, Conference 1794, ACCO, 95.00, Conference 1795, Ace Hardware, 100.95, Supplies 1796, Clean Uniform Company, 227.08, Uniforms 1797, Don Evans Window Tinting, 3105.00, Equipment 1798, Don Evans Window Tinting, 250.00, Parts 1799, David Tire Shop & Plus, 120.00, Service 1800, Dolese Bros, 31149.65, Chips & Rock 1801, Edwards Canvas, 254.00, Repair & Service 1802, Gill Express, 615.00, Service 1803, Precision Trailer, 810.48, Parts 1804, HAC, 72.22, Supplies 1805, ImageNet Consulting, 45.97, Copier Lease 1806, Lindsay Auto And Truck Supply, 556.19, Parts & Supplies 1807, McClain County Towing, 748.50, Towing 1808, Mid Continent Truck Sales, 247.00, Parts 1809, OEC, 268.00, Utilities 1810, O Reilly Automotive Stores, 259.82, Parts & Supplies 1811, P & K Equipment, 177.76, Parts 1812, P&K Stone, 2307.01, Rock 1813, T And W Tire, 1692.40, Tires 1814, United Ag & Turf, 245.45, Repair & Service 1815, United Ag & Turf, 78.08, Parts 1816, Warren CAT, 2431.26, Service 1817, W W Tire, 825.32, Tires & Service 1818, Williams, Eva, 300.00, Contract Labor 1819, CEC Corporation, 33024.95, Professional Services;
ML Fee 50, Postmaster, 478.00, Rental;
Rental of County Property - Expo 179, Express Services, 1219.50, Contract Labor 180, Hamilton Landscape, 340.00, Service 181, Red Rock Food Equipment, 572.47, Parts & Labor 182, Uniti, 165.91, Service;
Rural Fire-ST 230, AT&T Mobility, 169.00, Service 231, AT&T Mobility, 162.16, IPad 232, Bob Moore Ford, 61355.00, Pickup 233, Pure Lawn Total Weed Control, 3000.00, Service 234, PEC, 26.21, Service 235, REC, 54.07, Service 236, Stolz Telecom, 20272.50, Radios 237, Chickasaw Personal Communications, 14602.40, Radios 238, Chickasaw Personal Communications, 240.00, License Renewal 239, Fire Protection Publications, 186.00, Supplies 240, M&M Energy Supply, 628.77, Parts 241, Morris Motorsports, Heartland Parts & Service, 526.35, Parts & Labor 242, Sign It Up, 1550.00, Decals 243, Special Ops Uniforms, 989.00, Safety Clothing 244, Special Ops Uniforms, 680.88, Safety Clothing 245, Verizon, 200.05, Service 246, Verizon, 200.05, Service;
SFAG 86, Auto Zone, 177.99, Battery;
Sheriff Commissary 44, Tiger Commissary, 5056.31, Supplies;
Sheriff Service Fee 263, Trans Union Risk And Alternative Data Solutions, 100.00, Service;
SR Cit-ST 426, Burgess, Sheila, 500.00, Contract Labor 427, Ben E Keith Lockbox, 3905.67, Supplies 428, Classic Paper Supply, 915.41, Supplies 429, Cable Meat And Food Service, 1684.38, Supplies 430, Cable Meat And Food Service, 1419.50, Supplies 431, Classic Paper Supply, 790.12, Supplies 432, Cox, Charles Leroy, 480.00, Contract Labor 433, Dibble Senior Citizens, 1500.00, Payroll 434, HAC, 640.37, Supplies 435, Hop N Sack #24, 266.00, Fuel 436, Hagar Restaurant Service, 356.00, Service 437, HAC, 1415.41, Supplies 438, Kistner, Toni A., 1040.00, Contract Labor 439, OG&E, 241.12, Service 440, OEC, 170.61, Service 441, OEC, 232.31, Service 442, OG&E, 323.74, Utilities 443, Pena, Jennifer L., 1680.00, Contract Labor 444, Rush, Shirley, 150.00, Service 445, Spencers, 1510.14, Supplies 446, Town Of Dibble, 45.68, Service 447, Tankersley Food Service, 2451.64, Supplies.
Terry Daniel moved to approve Blanket Purchase Orders as on file in the County Clerk’s office, seconded by Glen Murray. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve of the following Transfers of Appropriations: Highway: $50,000.00 from 1102-6-4200-2005 into 1102-6-4200-4110. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve of the following Road Crossing Permits: Recoil Oilfield Service starting in Section 18, T7NR4W and ending in Section 7, T7NR4W, in District Three. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve the May 2026 monthly reports for the Assessor, Sheriff, Treasurer, County Clerk, Health Dept, Election Board, and Court Clerk. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved to approve the Allocation of Alcoholic Beverage Tax, Glen Murray seconded. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Glen Murray moved, Terry Daniel seconded to approve the Postage Meter Rental Renewal Agreement between Quadient and the McClain County Health Department for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, including the Purcell and/or Blanchard location at a rate of $31.28 per month. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve Resolution No. 41-2025-2026 for County Road Machinery and Equipment Revolving Fund Lease Renewal and verification of insurance to ODOT for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved and Glen Murray seconded to designate Jana Rolin as the representative for District One, Regina Oliphant as the representative for District Two, and Ann Cypert as the representative for District Three at the ASCOG REAP Grant Workshop to be held on June 16, 2026, in Duncan, Oklahoma. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Glen Murray moved, Terry Daniel seconded to approve the 5-year plan for the 2026 REAP Application for District One, identifying the 2027 project as Ropers Avenue – 100th Street to 110th Street. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved to approve 5-year plan for the 2026 REAP Application for District Two, identifying the 2027 project as High Avenue HWY 74B – 250th and Santa Fe HWY 74B- 260th, Glen Murray seconded. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve the 5-year plan for the 2026 REAP Application for District Three, identifying the 2027 project as Meridian Avenue – 240th Street – 260th Street. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
No action was taken regarding the purchase of a 2026 DT74C Superior Boom from Warren CAT through NJPA Sourcewell Contract #111522-SBM for District Two, in the amount of $91,902.49.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to approve the Rental Agreement between Bottleless Nation and McClain County, on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, for equipment service and maintenance. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Glen Murray moved to allocate $200,000.00 in Economic Development Sales Tax (Eco Dev-ST) funds toward the Town of Goldsby Adkins Hill Road widening and associated drainage improvement project, subject to the execution of all required legal agreements, compliance with the Public Competitive Bidding Act, and all applicable purchasing procedures, Terry Daniel seconded. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Terry Daniel moved, Glen Murray seconded to accept and award the following Six-Month Bids as listed with bids on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.
Only Bidder:
Dub Ross was awarded round corrugated steel pipe 2-2/3 x1/2” and 3x1” corrugated spiral and aluminized, corrugated steel pipe arch 2-2/3x1/2” corrugated spiral and aluminized.
Haskell Lemon was awarded miscellaneous services.
Heidelberg Materials was awarded rhyolite chips & rock.
P&K Stone LLC was awarded granite chips and rock.
Low Bidder:
Logan Co Asphalt was awarded all weather asphalt patching material, other bidder were Pavers Inc, Paving Materials LLC.
Ergon Asphalt was awarded asphalt emulsion, other bidders were Wright Asphalt, Vance Bros. LLC.
Dub Ross was awarded corrugated high density polyethylene tinhorns N-12 pipe, other bidders were Railroad Yard, Wellborn Sales, Core & Main.
Dolese (Davis Quarry) was awarded limestone chips & rock, other bidders were Martin Marietta (Davis Quarry), Martin Marietta (Washita Quarry), Ada Aggregates, P&K Stone (Coleman Quarry).
Due to availability, high quality, ability to provide materials, and/or location:
Haskell Lemon and Trinitas Materials LLC were awarded hot mix/hot laid asphalt, other bidders were Pavers INC, TJ Campbell Construction, Paving Materials LLC, Paving Materials of Southern OK LLC.
Trinitas Materials and Central Plains Construction were awarded asphalt laid in place, other bidders were Haskell Lemon, and Silver Star Construction.
Railroad Yard and Sunbelt Equipment were awarded bridge decking, channel iron, angle iron, new & Used I-WF beam and H-Beams, new and used steel pipe, interlocking sheet piling.
La Jacobson and Dolese were awarded concrete.
Dub Ross and Warren CAT were awarded grader blades, other bidder was Kirby Smith Machinery.
With no further business Terry Daniel moved to adjourn at 9:05 a.m., Glen Murray seconded. Vote Aye: Murray, Lyles, Daniel. Motion carried.

BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
McCLAIN COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
Wilson Lyles, Chairman
Terry Daniel, Vice Chairman
Glen Murray, Member

Attest: 
Rebekah Couch
County Clerk
_______________

Two new assistant coaches for Newcastle wrestling were recently hired. Zach Rosson and Caden Elliott will bring their knowledge, leadership, and standards to the high school and middle school programs.

They welcomed a new detective and honored another officer as well as other longtime employees whose service has shaped the city for 25 years.

Three of those honored have served the city for 25 years and have been added to the Oklahoma Municipal League Honor Roll of Service.

Honorees are: Detective Kevin Morrissey, Utility Clerk Vetia Culp, and Planning Director and Executive Assistant Kathy James.

A City spokesperson states that their dedication reflects a lasting commitment to Newcastle and the people who call it home.

These questions and more will at least be touched upon by Mayor Karl Nail as he gives this year’s State of the City address to the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and those attending the 11:45 a.m. Tuesday event at the Newcastle Library Community Room.

Admission is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-chamber members, but all are welcome to attend. The Chamber does ask that attendees RSVP at www.newcastleokchamber. org.

Nail told the Newcastle Pacer there are “a lot of things going on in Newcastle. There will be a great deal of stuff going on this fall and moving forward for years that will be very impactful for the community.”

Nail said, “Newcastle is at a point that we will have a lot of things impact us and the City Council is working very hard to handle these and make them the best we can for Newcastle.

“There aren’t very many, if any communities our size, that have as many things that are coming to this community that are as impactful. I don’t know of any in the state.”

So what will the mayor discuss? He said he’ll talk about where the City of Newcastle is now and where we are going with the trends we are seeing.

“I will talk about the major infrastructure projects we have going — both those related to the turnpike and those not related to the turnpike. We’ll talk about what we are going to see there,” Nail said.

He said the City hopes to soon hear announcements by the Chickasaw Nation, and he will have the latest announcements that he is able to share during the Tuesday luncheon.

Nail said the City is working on finalizing water and sewer agreements with the Nation.

“We are still working through it right now,” Nail said. “Our legal council and the City Council are going through it. It will be a big deal when they make their announcements.”

Nail said Newcastle also has five new commercial entities that have either bought property or applied for permits.

He said, “I’ll make those announcements on Tuesday, as well.”

He noted that the City is unable to say anything until the entities have gone through some of their legal processes and are ready to make announcements.

scored two first-place awards, one second-, and two third-place awards. As well, the Pacer’s owner was recognized for 50 years as a journalist, and the Pacer’s publisher won an award for public notice coverage.

This all took place during the OPA Annual Convention, Saturday, June 6 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Norman.

Competing in the category of weekly publications in communities with a population between 4,000 and 20,000, the Pacer won first place in Layout and Design, and in Editorial Writing. The Pacer won second place for Photography, and third place in both News Content and Digital Media.

The judge’s comments accompanied the plaques received by the Pacer. They wrote, “The layout was appealing to the eye while

AWARDS on page 3 the font choices seemed to really bring it together.” The Editorial Writing category judge wrote, the editorials “are a valuable service to the community. Each editorial clearly explains an important local issue and what’s at stake, then gives the reasons for the newspaper’s opinion. Well done.”

AWARDS: Earns the right to publish award winner badge on the newspaper

Newcastle Pacer and The Purcell Register owner John D. Montgomery was given a plaque noting his community journalism career of more than 50 years. Montgomery began his newspaper career in his hometown at the Hobart Daily Democrat-Chief. Over the years, he worked for numerous publications including the Kiowa County Star-Review, The Daily Oklahoman,

The Oklahoma City Times, Tulsa World, and The Madill Record.

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s journalism program, Montgomery has maintained strong ties to his alma mater. He and his wife, Gracie, established the Montgomery Family Endowed Scholarship Fund to support aspiring journalists.

He became the OPA’s youngest president in 199293. He has also been active with the National Newspaper Association and Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2005, and is a recipient of the OPA H. Milt Phillips Award.

Newcastle Pacer Publisher/ Editor Mark Codner was the recipient of the 2025 Sweepstakes for Public Notice Journalism. The award is given for reporting on legal notices in Oklahoma newspapers and refers readers to the original notice.

Codner encouraged readers through an editorial to read the notices about making the McClain County half-cent sales tax permanent, and then to “go vote.”

Since the Pacer was among award winners at the OPA convention, the newspaper received the right to publish the 2025 OPA Better Newspaper Contest Award Winner badge (as shown at the top left of the front page this week, and in the newspaper’s masthead on page 4).

The American Library Association has named Lisa Wells, executive director of Pioneer Library System, as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 ALA Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship.

The award is one of the profession’s highest honors recognizing extraordinary contributions to the public understanding, appreciation, and advancement of libraries and librarianship.

The award honors individuals whose work elevates librarianship beyond traditional expectations and strengthens the visibility and credibility of libraries within the broader public sphere. Throughout more than three decades of service, Wells has become nationally recognized for positioning libraries as essential civic infrastructure and catalysts for innovation, education, workforce development, and community connection.

Under Wells’ leadership, PLS launched groundbreaking initiatives that reshaped customer access and engagement, including the first 24 Hour Library in North America, one of the nation’s first library-created mobile apps, and the internally developed Library Connect platform.

She also established IMPACT PLS, the library system’s leadership development program now entering its sixteenth year, which has helped more than one-third of participants advance into expanded leadership roles.

Wells’ commitment to innovation extends beyond library walls. Her leadership helped bring solar-powered smart benches to Newcastle, providing Wi-Fi access, device charging, and immediate access to digital library materials; a concept that later gained national attention and inspired similar projects across North America.

Her nomination also highlighted transformational programs such as EBSCO’s BlueCareer, which expanded access to workforce readiness and career development resources across Oklahoma, reinforcing libraries as key drivers of economic mobility and lifelong learning.

In addition to her work within PLS, Wells has served as a tireless advocate for libraries at the local, state, and national levels.

During her tenure as president of the Oklahoma Library Association during the COVID- 19 pandemic, she helped amplify the voice of libraries during a critical period of uncertainty and change.

Her advocacy efforts have consistently elevated public awareness of the evolving role libraries play in strengthening communities.

“Lisa does not simply lead a library system; she champions libraries as essential, trusted institutions in our communities and nationwide,” wrote Jeannette Mc-Nally, assistant City Manager of Newcastle and one of the nominators in support of Wells’ award application. “She is a passionate advocate for librarianship whose leadership has strengthened local communities, influenced national dialogue, and helped shape a stronger future for libraries.”

The nomination further praised Wells for transforming challenges into opportunities through strategic leadership, community engagement, and a clear vision for the future of library service.

“Her voice, leadership, and impact have also been felt at the federal level,” said nominators at the Urban Libraries Council. “Lisa played a critical role in deepening engagement with Representative Tom Cole, including helping facilitate a meaningful local library visit that demonstrated firsthand the transformative work of libraries.”

Wells will be formally recognized during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago this June.

In 2020, the City was given ownership of the original ballpark property. In September 2020, City staff submitted the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Phase I Newcastle Sports Complex grant application.

The grant included funding for parking improvements, ADA-accessible routes to the ballfields, a new lagoon, and new restroom facilities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly delayed the approval process for several years, and hiked up the cost to do the planned project.

When grant approvals resumed in 2022, the project was required to undergo an archaeological survey. After the survey was completed, City staff advanced the project through the federal approval process.

Following conditional approval, project engineers conducted a cost analysis and determined that construction costs had increased substantially since the project was originally designed. The updated cost estimates exceeded the available grant funding, requiring staff to revise the project scope and seek approval from the appropriate state and federal agencies.

As a result, the grant scope was reduced to include improvements to the entrance and parking lot, along with the construction of a new exit. The revised scope received approval from the National Park Service, and engineering design was completed at the end of 2025. To avoid disrupting league play and spring tournaments, the City elected to postpone construction until after the spring season concluded.

Construction officially began on June 8 and is scheduled for completion in September.

In 2022, the City was approached regarding the purchase of property immediately west of the ballpark complex. This opportunity to acquire additional land significantly expanded the longterm possibilities for the facility. The City of Newcastle subsequently hired Guernsey to develop a long-term vision for the complex and prepare the Newcastle Sports Complex Master Plan, which was adopted in 2023.

Developing a comprehensive master plan positions the City to identify grant opportunities and other funding sources needed to complete future phases of the project.

Because the LWCF Phase I grant was undergoing a scope revision at the time, Guernsey was able to incorporate the revised Phase I improvements into the overall Newcastle Sports Complex Master Plan.

The City is excited about the future of the Newcastle Sports Complex and remains committed to pursuing funding opportunities to bring the full vision of the Master Plan to life.

The annual Newcastle Youth Fishing Derby will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13 at Veterans Park. The event is free and open to youth up to age 15.

Participants will compete in multiple categories, including Biggest Fish (1st and 2nd place in age groups 6 & under, 7–10, and 11–15), Overall Longest Fish, and Best Dressed Angler. Prizes will be awarded, including fishing backpacks for top finishers, along with additional prizes.

“This event is all about getting kids outside and giving them a chance to experience fishing in a fun, low-pressure environment,” said Kyle Marks, Parks and Recreation director.

Marks said, “Whether it’s their first time holding a fishing pole or they’re trying to land the biggest fish of the day, we want every kid to have a great experience.”

Participants may keep up to three catfish and three sunfish. To be eligible for prizes, all participants must be registered.

Pre-registration is available online at NewcastleOK.gov/ Events. On-site registration will also be available from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the day of the event.

“We’ve seen this event grow each year, and it continues to be one of the highlights of the summer,” Marks added. “It’s a great opportunity for families to spend time together out at the park and create lasting memories.”

The Youth Fishing Derby is made possible through the support of local sponsors and community partners.

They include: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, OEC Electric & Fiber, Oklahoma Natural Gas, Norman Regional Health System, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Snow Enterprises Commercial Investments, Contemporary Family Dentistry, Triton Foundation Repair, The First National Bank & Trust, Boing City Party Rentals, Community Bank of Oklahoma, and Pioneer.

For more information, contact the Newcastle Parks and Recreation Department or go online to newcastleok.gov.

Events for the month of June were recently announced by the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. They begin with Bingo and conclude with the annual State of the City luncheon.

This month’s activities begin with a Multi-Chamber Bingo at the Barn from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 11 at The Barn at Country Club. Multi-chamber events are for members of the Tuttle, Blanchard and Newcastle Chambers of Commerce, but the public is invited to take part.

The June Morning Mingle will be from 9-10 a.m. at Legend Assisted Living at Rivendell. They are located at 13200 S May Avenue in Oklahoma City.

The monthly Multi-Chamber Business Bites is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m at Default’s Dinner, 5571 N. Council Avenue in Blanchard, located inside Garrett’s Corner.

The annual State of the City will wrap up June events with a 11:45 a.m. start on June 23 at the Newcastle Library Community Room. Mayor Karl Nail is the chamber guest and will provide his annual State of the City.

On June 16, Oklahoma voters will decide on State Question 832, a proposal to gradually increase the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour by 2029.

The measure would phase in a wage increase of $1.50 a year over several years and has become a statewide debate among workers, business owners and policymakers. Supporters say it is needed to address the rising cost of living, while opponents say it could dismantle pricing, hiring and small businesses across Oklahoma.

Support comes from groups such as the Yes on 832 campaign, which argues that increasing wages would help workers keep up with inflation. The Oklahoma Democratic Party also supports raising wages as part of an economic platform focused on improving pay for working families.

House District 89 Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, Democrat, said he pushed for the measure to be on the ballot after listening to the concerns of Oklahomans.

“I meet parents who are working long hours, sometimes multiple jobs, and still struggling to keep up with rising costs,” Alonso-Sandoval said. “They are doing everything we ask of them, working hard, raising families, contributing to their communities, and yet many feel like they are falling behind.”

Alonso-Sandoval said voters deserve to have a direct voice on issues that affect working people, which motivated him to push for the ballot measure.

“When an issue impacts whether families can afford rent, groceries, childcare, and healthcare, I believe there is value in letting the people decide for themselves,” he said.

Business owner and House District 50 Rep. Stacy Jo Adams, Republican, said the proposal “applies a one-sizefits- all solution to a state with very different economic realities. What may seem manageable in Oklahoma City or Tulsa could have a very different impact in rural communities where businesses operate on much smaller margins.”

Adams also said the proposal has come at a time when artificial intelligence is on the rise. She warned that if the government raises labor costs, businesses may look for alternative ways to do jobs that would otherwise belong to Oklahomans.

“AI is already replacing jobs by automating customer service, administrative tasks, scheduling, quoting, data entry and many other routine functions,” Adams said. “If this proposal passes and labor costs are artificially pushed higher with automatic increases built in, that transition will only accelerate.”

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions from small business owners, particularly in rural areas where labor costs are a major part of operating budgets. Some owners say the change could force difficult adjustments in pricing and staffing, while others believe the impact may be more manageable.

Joyle Hurst, owner of Pinto Grill in Loco, says he supports wage increases but believes the proposed jump is too much, too quickly. He described the current minimum wage as unfeasible but also argued that doubling it in short stages still presents major challenges for small businesses.

“I don’t mind raising it,” Hurst said. “But going straight to $15 by 2029, I think that’s too much at once. If you start there, everything has to go up; prices, payroll, everything.”

However, Brad Ritter, who owns Mud Creek BBQ in Ringling, says payroll increases would likely be absorbed through standard budgeting and minimal price adjustments. He said higher wages could help reduce turnover, which is often a major challenge for local restaurants.

“It won’t be as dramatic as people think,” Ritter said. “If payroll goes up, you adjust. It might only be a small change in prices for customers.”

People on both sides of the debate say they share the same goal: strengthening opportunity.

“I believe Oklahoma’s economy is strongest when we create opportunity, support small businesses, encourage workforce development and allow wages to respond naturally to market demand,” Adams said. Alonso-Sandoval says he hopes people will learn more about the issue because, regardless of whether they support or oppose raising the minimum wage, their voices matters.

“At the end of the day, I believe our state is strongest when we listen to one another, respect different perspectives and work toward solutions that help working families, small businesses and communities thrive together,” said Alonso-Sandoval.

( EDITOR’S NOTE — Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. More stories by Gaylord News can be found at GaylordNews. net.)

Early voting begins Thursday, June 11, 2026 for voters in McClain County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at the historical City Hall in Blanchard or at the McClain County Community Center.

McClain County Election Board Secretary, Karen Haley, said early voting is open to all eligible voters. “You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the County Election Board or State Election Board – from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want to avoid long lines,” Haley said.

Early voting is available Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the historical City Hall west of the flagpole in Blanchard, or at the McClain County Community Center located at 1721 Hardcastle Blvd., Purcell Early voting will also be available on Saturday, June 13th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both locations. Haley reminds voters that early voting is not available at polling locations.

Some voters may need assistance to vote because they are blind or visually disabled, physically disabled or infirmed, or illiterate. Such individuals may request to have an assistant or vote privately and independently using the ATI device attached to the voting device. Those who require assistance should talk to their precinct official or contact the County Election Board directly. For questions, contact the Election Board, 405-527-3121.

“After much thought and prayer, it is time to transition to the next generation of capable Chickasaw leaders,” Governor Anoatubby said. “Serving the Chickasaw people has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life. I am deeply grateful for the trust and support our citizens have placed in our administration as we worked to strengthen opportunities and enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people. Together, we have accomplished much. Those achievements happened through the dedication of our citizens and the valued partnerships we have built with local businesses, and with state, federal and fellow tribal governments.”

Governor Anoatubby began his career at the Chickasaw Nation in 1975 as health services director and quickly advanced. In 1979, he was elected as the first Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation and was elected to his first term as Governor in 1987.

When Governor Anoatubby first took office, the Chickasaw Nation’s programs and services were largely dependent on funding from the federal government. Through careful investments and planning, his administration charted a course to financial independence, through which the Chickasaw Nation could utilize return on investments to support tribal education, housing, jobs, healthcare, culture, elder care, and other programs and services.

In a career marked by growth and progress, the Chickasaw Nation has thrived throughout Governor Anoatubby’s leadership, growing from approximately 250 employees and an $11 million operating budget in 1987 to nearly 15,000 employees and a national economic impact that exceeds $8 billion.

Through careful and diverse investments made early in his administration, the Chickasaw Nation now operates more than 100 businesses in the fields of manufacturing, energy, healthcare, media, technology, hospitality, retail and more.

Governor Anoatubby will retire after serving an unprecedented 10 terms.

Governor Anoatubby’s resignation will be effective at noon June 26, 2026, at which time the Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation will take his oath of office as Governor, in accordance with Article XV, Section 1 of the Chickasaw Constitution.

Ihad the pleasure of being the commencement speaker for Bray Doyle High School. It was wonderful to share the evening with graduates and their families, and especially my cousin, Jud, who walked across the stage that night. For this week’s “For the Children” column, I thought it would be appropriate to share a bit of my speech, with congratulations to all this year’s graduates: Congratulations, graduates! Being with you reminds me of my own graduation back in 1989 and how old that makes me feel! Probably like you, I sat there wondering what the future might hold for me. My graduation speaker talked about the desire to get rich based upon a popular song back then, not just in finances, but also in your overall life. Marriage, health, finances — each of those will have some impact on your life, but you need to remember that there is one determining factor in what each of your next steps will be: you and the path you choose.

With my classmates, some went to college or trade school, others joined the military, and some entered the workforce immediately. A few got married quickly, while some of us still haven’t taken that plunge yet. My point is that each one of you will now have significant decisions to make on what your future holds for you, and not all of it will be under your control, but you can improve your options.

I am big on furthering one’s education. It’s expensive but consider this: those with bachelor’s degrees in Oklahoma earn a median income of about $59,712. Individuals with only a high school education have a median income of roughly $38,789. The good news for you is that those with less than a high school diploma earns $31,492; so, congratulations on your expected $7,000 income bump by making it here.

For those looking at CareerTech, that option offers a much faster, debt-free return on investment, but less than college over life expectancy. Your choice for furthering your education will dictate your opportunities.

Now, I am asking you to make a promise to yourself. Do not let this graduation be considered your greatest achievement; instead, let it be your latest achievement. Nothing worth doing is going to be handed to you. Remember, you should keep your expectations realistic, but do not sell yourself short.

Just because you come from a small town does not mean you cannot dream big and accomplish great things. Many of you will remain here like I did for many years in Rush Springs, so do your part to give back to your community. Join a civic organization, run for city council, school board, or another office if you have something to contribute to helping the community. Build up the next generation so when you are delivering a graduation speech to a future class, you can encourage them to leave the woodpile of life just a little bit higher than they found it.

For our lives to be truly rich, we must always work on ourselves, continuing to grow, and to be there for friends and family when possible. Find a career which pays the bills and provides that reward to you, either with the paycheck or the satisfaction of making the world a better place. Better yet, seek both, as I was lucky enough to achieve.

Also, have someone who can be your “battle buddy” for when things get rough — someone who will listen and encourage you. It is good to have a friend who will be there during the rough times.

It won’t be easy, but from one small town kid to many others, I believe in you. To all of you in the Class of 2026, congratulations on making it here. Go forth from tonight and make this world a better place with the good each of you is set to accomplish, and to earn the riches in store for you.

The arrogance of SQ 832 is stunning. This measure looks every Oklahoma employer in the eye and says: You may have built the business. You may make the payroll. You may know your employees, your customers, your margins and your community. But none of that matters. The government knows better.

Supporters want voters to hear “higher wages” and stop asking questions. A worker gets a raise. Everyone feels good. End of story.

But anyone who has ever run a business, worked on a farm or tried to keep a small-town operation alive knows it doesn’t work that way.

SQ 832 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029. Once it hits $15, it keeps climbing automatically every year, tied to a federal cost-of-living index. No vote. No debate. No review by the Legislature I was elected to serve in. No consideration for what’s happening in Oklahoma’s economy or whether your business is in Blanchard, Purcell, Rush Springs or Duncan. Just an automatic increase, year after year.

That is an extraordinary amount of power to hand over to a formula. And rural Oklahoma will pay for it first.

A family farm cannot simply absorb higher labor costs because activists in Oklahoma City think it sounds fair. A small-town café cannot raise prices forever. A feed store, hardware shop, day care or familyowned retailer cannot print money when the government decides payroll goes up again. These businesses already live close to the edge. SQ 832 adds another mandated cost and tells them to figure it out.

That’s how small businesses die. Fewer hours. Fewer hires. A summer position disappears. A teenager in a rural town who needed a first job never gets hired.

Nobody pushing SQ 832 wants to talk about what happens inside the pay scale. When the floor rises, the pressure moves through the entire business. If a new employee must start at $15, what happens to the worker who’s been there three years and already makes $15? The person at $17? The manager who took on more responsibility because she was told it would mean something?

They get squeezed. The mandate doesn’t care. SQ 832 punishes the exact workers who did everything right — showed up, stayed loyal, earned their way up — and the people pushing it don’t mention them once. That’s wage compression. For a large corporation, it’s a spreadsheet problem. For a family farm or rural small business, it’s a survival problem.

Supporters of SQ 832 say they care about workers. They leave out the rural kid who needs a first job. They leave out the farm hand whose hours get cut. They leave out everyone who makes the slogan inconvenient. They get the applause. Rural Oklahoma gets the bill.

Oklahoma employers are already competing for workers. Wages are rising because the market is forcing employers to compete through skill, experience, productivity and opportunity. SQ 832 replaces that with government force.

The arrogance of SQ 832 is that it assumes farmers cannot be trusted, small businesses do not matter, rural workers are an afterthought, and Oklahoma’s economy should be run by automatic formula.

That’s wrong. Vote no.

Hello Racers,

I am excited to update you on Bond 2026. Over the past few months, our dedicated bond committee has been hard at work putting together a new bond proposal for the upcoming August 25th ballot. They listened closely to all the valuable feedback that was shared after the last vote, and made some adjustments based directly on the input.

Bond 2026 is focusing heavily on direct instructional and safety needs. Listed below are key items included in the bond resolution (which you can also view in full on the school’s website): Elementary School Storm Shelter: An on-site storm shelter that doubles as a classroom, directly addressing a major safety priority for our students.

Elementary School Updates: Much needed upgrades for our restrooms, flooring, and lighting.

Track & Facility Upgrade: We will be updating our track facilities, and Newcastle Public Schools will be managing this project internally to make sure we save money and maximize every dollar.

Aviation Classroom Expansion: Our aviation program is absolutely thriving! We need to expand the space to welcome all the students eager to join and offer a more hands-on approach to aviation.

Transportation Facility Expansion: As our community grows, so does our bus fleet. We need to add parking and charging stations to keep our transportation running smoothly and safely.

Stadium Upgrades (Soccer & Restrooms): Soccer is one of our fastest- growing programs, and our athletes desperately need supportive facilities. We will be building a new soccer locker room with a concession stand and stadium restrooms which will be attached to the end of the building.

Thanks to Newcastle’s steady growth, the school portion of your property taxes (the sinking fund) is expected to remain the same.

We know there have been plenty of questions and online discussions following the recent article in the Newcastle Pacer and want to make sure you have all the facts. We are currently putting together a comprehensive Q&A document to address those points and will share it as soon as it’s ready.

We are also planning a town hall meeting, a Facebook Q&A session, and other opportunities to come together to ask questions. Additional information about those events will be released soon.

Finally, I am putting together a Racers Unite Ambassador group to help champion this bond. If you would love to get involved, please reach out to me directly at cwalker@newcastle.k12.ok.us.

Thank you for your continued partnership and joining our Racers Unite, Investing in our Students Campaign. Racer Proud, Dr. Cathy Walker

In the first ballot on the left, Precinct 9 is shown and represents the County Commissioner in District 2. Wilson Lyles continues serving in that District and is not up for election in this primary.

The second, or middle sample ballot, shows Precinct 14 or District 1 McClain County Commissioner. Voters will select from Terry Dwain Hillis or incumbent Glen Murray.

In the third or right side Sample Ballot, Precinct 15 or County Commissioner District No. 3 is represented. Voters will select from candidates Joe Southern and Scott Carroll.

No Democrats filed to run for McClain County Commissioner; therefore, no candidates are listed on the Democrat ballot.

To the right is a Sample Ballot on State Question No. 832, which asks both Republican and Democrat voters in Newcastle if they would vote yes or no to raise the minimum wage requirements in Oklahoma. An analysis about the State Question, far right, is provided from the Oklahoma Press Association.

In a press release to the public, the City Manager’s office states that each year, typically from May through September, the City produces water to account for high summer usage and to manage the amount of water taken from Oklahoma City.

“During the fall and winter months, the City’s water plant is idle and our water supply is primarily from Oklahoma City,” said Kevin Self, city manager. “This method of operation has been in place since 2014. Newcastle’s water agreement with OKC is referred to as a ‘daily reservation’ or a ‘take or pay agreement.’” Self said, ‘“Take or pay’ simply means the City will pay for the daily reservation amount whether it is used or not.”

Newcastle’s current daily reservation is 2,048,000 gallons per day. If the City exceeds the daily reservation, the cost for Oklahoma City water can increase significantly.

“This can easily happen during the high usage, summer months. Therefore, the City produces its own water during the summer to hopefully avoid exceeding the daily reservation amount,” Self said.

He said to address the recent chlorine odor and taste, Oklahoma City typically maintains the total chlorine parts per million (ppm) in their water between 2.5 and 2.8. Newcastle typically maintains total chlorine ppm between 3.0 and 3.5.

He said during the last 24 hours, water crews have tested the City’s water in multiple locations and total chlorine ppm have ranged between 3.2 and 3.6 ppm. The ODEQ allowable range for total chlorine is 2 to 4 ppm.

“It is possible the total chlorine ppm range differences between Oklahoma City and Newcastle water could enhance the chlorine smell and taste of the water,” Self said. “However, test results show Newcastle’s water is well within the allowable ODEQ total chlorine ppm.”

Residents who may be experiencing chlorine odor and taste are encouraged to run their faucets three to five minutes which may assist with reducing this issue.