January 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY — In 2021, Oklahoma’s tourism industry showed an impressive rebound, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

New research commissioned by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department shows the industry generated a record-breaking $10.1 billion in direct visitor spending, increasing industry employment by 4.6 percent and exceeding 2019 visitor spending by 3.2 percent

"I am incredibly proud of the impressive strides made by our state’s tourism industry,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Our mother, Delores S. Littlebear Hart (Ma’evehpota’e Red Leaf Girl) has walked on, reunited with her husband and our father, Samuel C. Hart.

She passed on Jan. 19, 2023, surrounded by her children and brother and sister-in-law, at the age of 88 years.

Our mother’s life began on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. When Mom and her little brother were quite young, their mother, Flossie Littlebear died during childbirth.

Mom and her brother were then cared for by their grandmother, Rosa Littlebear.

Fifty years ago, a black cloud descended over the United States. Its effects darkened our nation, poisoned our culture, destroyed our families and slaughtered our children.

I left work in downtown Tulsa 50 years ago tonight, walked to the corner to cross the street, and saw the headline on the front of the evening paper: “Supreme Court Legalizes Abortion.”

I felt as though I’d been hit in the face with a two-by-four.

Reporters, lawmakers and legislative observers have spent plenty of time reading in recent years.

More than 3,000 bills and joint resolutions were filed in the House and Senate leading up to the Jan. 26 filing deadline.

While we now have a better sense of what lawmakers wish to accomplish, the picture still isn’t entirely clear. Appropriations bills and resolutions may be filed throughout the session, which begins Monday, Feb. 6 and runs through late May.

The Oklahoma Municipal League in partnership with the Fort Sill Apache Tribe and the city of Lawton hosted the first in a series of meetings called Sovereignty and Cities, United Strength.

OML and the municipalities they represent are interested in forming stronger relationships with the Tribal Nations in their areas.    

The meeting was held Jan. 23.  
   
“We are committed to creating meaningful partnerships with the Tribal Nations,” said Mike Fina, Executive Director of OML.

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State University Spears School of Business has launched the Center for the Future of Work.

The world of work is changing rapidly and the Center for the Future of Work is committed to collaborating with individuals, businesses and communities to help develop human potential and structure organizations to compliment and capitalize on technological innovations.

“We are very excited to announce the formation of the Center for the Future of Work,” said Dr. Ken Eastman, dean of Spears Business.

Pictured are students from Banner School earning honor roll status.

Riverside Principal’s Honor Roll for the first semester, front row, Bailey Ashley, Sawyer Baker, Jace Abshire, Rosario Ramos, Alice Schumacher, Colten Price and Carolyn Trujillo; second row, DonTrel Webb, Westley Wilkerson, Ramiro Valdez, Dawson Sneed, Jose Zuniga, Shayla Altizer, Haley Al-Mufleh, Avery Cameron, Sassy Brushwood and Lathen Childers; third row, Maddax Lehman, James Hudson IV, Abel Kerr, Dax Macias, Korbyn Kraft and Lexi Matias; back row, Alexi Evans, Auttum McLearen, Greyson Imoe, Michael Queen, Aldo Saldana, Emily Saldana and Maggie Calzada.

Riverside Superintendent’s Honor Roll for the first semester, front row, Isaac Shropshire, Malachi Lockler, Emma Royse, Kamryn Rucker, Alx Grant, Brylee DuPris, Gisela Madai and Avry Royse; back row, Nahla Cabrera, Piper Sneed, Camrynn Foster, Makay Wooten and Beau Hernandez.

Lamplighters OHCE of Canadian County met recently at a local church. Carol Stine opened the meeting and led members in the flag salute. Maxine Little read minutes from the previous meeting, with Patricia Morrison giving the treasury report.

A thank-you card was read from the sheriff’s department for the blanket throws that were given to them. The officers keep them in their patrol cars for children or adults in crisis situations.

Yearbooks were passed out and leader lessons were assigned for the coming year. Janice Taylor presented the lesson titled “Our Brain Health.”