The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed last month by the President, provides Oklahoma the opportunity to nearly double the annual amount of funding to reclaim abandoned coal mine land. This bill also fulfills the primary legislative goal of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) and National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP) over the past few years in seeking reauthorization of coal abandoned mine land (AML) fee collection from industry at 80% of current rates for 13 years.

Troy L. Lester passed away Dec. 27, 2021 in Denison, Texas, at the age of 80. He was born June 3, 1941 to Leonard Delbert and Myrtle May (Craft) Lester in Hugo, Okla. Troy attended Murray State in Tishomingo, Okla. He served his country in the United States Army from 1963-1965. He married Carol Ann Biggs on Jan. 15, 1965 in Dallas, Texas. Troy worked for Southwestern Bell from 1961 to 1993; he was of the Baptist faith.

Funeral services for Dorothy Louise Ayers, of Hugo, Okla., were held at 2 p.m. Dec.

L.D. Bains passed away Dec.

Funeral services for Edgar Ray Stevens, Sr., of Soper, Okla., were held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at New Life Family Church in Boswell, Okla. Edgar passed away on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at the age of 89. After several months of declining health, Edgar peacefully went to his heavenly home to be with his beloved wife, mother, sons and grandsons.

Only today’s “old-timers” will remember frequently using “counter checks” to transact business back in the 60s and 70s. Just walk into your favorite bank, grab a pad of checks and sign your name, and there you go.