MUSKOGEE –– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Chad Jon’Dale Voyles, age 21, and Ashlie Nicole Rose Martin, age 20, both of Fort Towson, Okla., entered guilty pleas relating to a Choctaw County double homicide which occurred on Dec. 22 and 23, 2020.

Four words were written on a strip of paper inside the locker of Patrick Fletcher’s neighbor during OU football’s 1999 season. “Generals don’t get hurt.” The locker belonged to South Dakota native Josh Heupel, a transfer from Snow College, a public community college in Ephraim, Utah, which had a population of 4,317 in 1998.

Applications due by Aug. 13 for private lands youth deer hunts designed for beginning hunters This year 38 youth deer hunters, ages 12-17, who have harvested no more than one deer, have a unique opportunity to participate in one of six deer hunts that will take place on private land in: Cleveland County Dec. 8-9, 2023 Dec. 15-16, 2023 Love/Carter Counties Oct. 21, 2023 (mandatory orientation on Oct. 20, 2023) – ANTLERED ONLY Dec. 9, 2023 (mandatory orientation on Dec. 8, 2023) Love County Dec. 15-16, 2023 Sequoyah County Oct. 20-22, 2023 These hunts provide a win-win for those involved. Landowners are able to better address their deer herd management goals and pass on the hunting tradition to a new generation. New youth hunters and their parents/guardians often struggle with issues of access (where to go) and uncertainty about the quality of the hunt experience, and these hunts provide direct access to areas where the hunter/guardian will have a quality experience that allows them to take their time and not feel pressured or crowded. Additionally, on most of these hunts the landowners or hunt assistants will provide guidance or help on how to process their deer after its harvest. An additional benefit is that antlerless deer taken during these hunts are considered “bonus deer,” the same as other controlled hunts, and do not count towards the hunters annual bag limit, so young hunters could have the opportunity to go again during youth, rifle, or holiday antlerless seasons.

Have you ever moved or changed occupations? For most people, I’m sure the answer is yes. Such circumstances can deliver very exciting opportunities in your life, including buying a new house or landing your dream job. For some of you, both of these events may have happened at the same time.

• Choctaw Nation Partners with Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology for Culinary Program DURANT –– In a one-of-a-kind partnership, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Division of Commerce is teaming up with Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSUIT) to offer Choctaw Casinos & Resorts food and beverage associates culinary training and college course credit. Choctaw Nation and OSU Institute of Technology have created an educational course designed specifically for casino and resort associates that’s aimed at preparing them for culinary careers.

DURANT –– Southeastern Oklahoma State University held its 2023 summer commencement ceremonies on Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29 in Durant. On Friday, July 28, Master’s Degrees were conferred at 6 p.m., and Saturday, July 29, Baccalaureate Degrees were awarded.