Archive - 2011 - News Article
June 15th
So much has been written about the Greatest Generation of Americans, and very few would argue the fact that the American citizens of the World War II era saved this great nation and have made the lifestyles we are accustom to possible.
U.S. Rep. Dan Boren recently announced that he will not be seeking re-election for a fifth term in Congress next year. Boren said he is through with politics and has no specific plans for his next career move.
"I don't have a job lined up," he said in an interview following his stunning announcement. "I am very open. I haven't had much time to think about it."
Boren expressed hope that whatever he ends up doing next he will be able to remain in Oklahoma, but he left the door open to taking a job outside the state.
June 8th
On Saturday, June 4th, 2011, three girls from Rattan took top spots in the 50th Annual James Hodge Dodge Hugo PRCA Rodeo in Hugo. The crowning took place at 7:30 p.m.
Hannah Courtwright (LEFT) took home the title of the 2011 Miss Hugo PRCA Rodeo Princess and her sister Cassidy Courtwright (RIGHT) was crowned the 2011 Miss Hugo PRCA Rodeo Queen.
Also from Rattan, Hannah Davidson, was the 2011 Miss Hugo PRCA Rodeo Queen Runner-up.
Congratulations girls!
By Tracy Steffenson
On June 3, 2011 the District 17 Drug Task Force served a search warrant on the home of Dustin Hunter in Rattan. Upon entering the dwelling Deputy Wilkerson found Hunter in the back yard and Dana Mitchell standing on a trail behind the residence. Deputy Wilkerson removed two loaded hand guns off of Hunter’s person and then Hunter was served with a search warrant.
Jordan Billy, a member of the Choctaw Nation and a student at Rattan Jr. High School, recently received an award from The Oklahoma Federation of Indian Woman (OFIW).
Billy was named the American Indian female student of 2011-2012. Her academic and leadership achievement was recognized by the organization for students 14 -17 years of age and that meet the requirements for the nomination. Â
On April 9, 2011 Jordan and her family attended a banquet in McAlester where she received the award and gave a thank you speech to the OFIW board.Â
Dr. Robert “Heavy” Everett was recently named the Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year. Everett is currently the Superintendent at Newcastle Public Schools.
Everett is the son of the late Bill and Tina Everett, brother to Linda & husband , Bob, Van Meter, and uncle to Shannon Van Meter of Antlers. He was raised in Antlers, where he attended and graduated from Antlers High School in 1970. He then went on to get his BS of Education from S.E. in Durant, his Masters at Central State College, and his Educational Administration Doctorate at Oklahoma University.
May 25th
Miss Whitney Noel, recent graduate of Rattan High School was recently named the third recipient of the Jim B. Collum Memorial Scholarship. It was presented by Mrs. Collum at the Rattan Awards Assembly on Thursday, May 19, 2011.
Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent storms and can cause fatalities and devastate a neighborhood in mere seconds. A tornado can produce winds up to 300 miles per hour and can produce a damage path that can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long.
May 18th
Antlers Public School Systems Superintendent, Mark Virden, has officially announced his retirement. His last official day will be on June 30, 2011.
Mr. Virden has been a part of the Antlers School System for the past 31 years, his entire teaching career. The first 19 years were spend as the high school Science Teacher. Mr. Virden then was the High School Principle for 6 years, and finished off his career as the Superintendent of Schools for the last 6 years.
Mr. Virden said that it has been a very good 31 years and that he is going to miss the students and faculty very much.
In celebration of National Hospital Week (May 9th-13th), the Pushmataha County Hospital held a cookout on Friday May 13th for its deserving employees. Also on Friday, the Employee of the Year was named. Pictured above with Stephen Poe, CFO/CPA; is Pam Kirk. Pam has been employed at the hospital for 33 years and currently is the Director of the Labratory. Pam received this great honor for being a dedicated, hard working, skilled and loyal employee of the hospital.
