Faith Wright of Stratford FFA receives the State Star in Agricultural Placement at the State FFA Convention. From left, State Advisor Scott Nemechek, Central Area Vice-President Hudson Andrews, Wright, Executive Director of Oklahoma FFA Foundation Jacey Fye and State Reporter Darla Fesmire. Courtesy Photo

Faith Wright of Stratford FFA receives the State Star in Agricultural Placement at the State FFA Convention. From left, State Advisor Scott Nemechek, Central Area Vice-President Hudson Andrews, Wright, Executive Director of Oklahoma FFA Foundation Jacey Fye and State Reporter Darla Fesmire. Courtesy Photo

Stratford FFA member receives State Star award

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Faith Wright of the Stratford FFA Chapter recently won State Star in Agricultural Placement at the...
Wynnewood’s class of 2026 celebrated their graduation during commencement ceremonies May 16. Maysville and Paoli also held graduation exercises last weekend. Pauls Valley, Lindsay and Elmore City will hold their graduations May 22, and Stratford’s graduation will be May 23. News Star [hoto by Don Coffey

Wynnewood’s class of 2026 celebrated their graduation during commencement ceremonies May 16. Maysville and Paoli also held graduation exercises last weekend. Pauls Valley, Lindsay and Elmore City will hold their graduations May 22, and Stratford’s graduation will be May 23. News Star [hoto by Don Coffey

Class of 2026

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
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Katelyn Estes and her art teacher Shea Meyer display her charcoal piece “Spirit of the Plains.”

Katelyn Estes and her art teacher Shea Meyer display her charcoal piece “Spirit of the Plains.”

Estes wins second Congressional Art Contest title

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Katelyn Estes used a new medium for the 2026 Congressional Art Contest but received a familiar result. The Stratford senior won the contest for Oklahoma’s Fourth District, which she also won in 2024 and received second place in 2025.

News 

Wynnewood freemasons and cub scouts gathered this week for a check presentation. Roger Poyner, worshipful master of Wynnewood Masonic Lodge 40, presented Jana Smith, scout leader for Wynnewood Cub Scout Pack 79, with a fundraising check after the two organizations partnered May 8 for a very sucessfull pulled pork sandwich fundraiser in downtown Wynnewood. Courtesy photo

Wynnewood freemasons and cub scouts gathered this week for a check presentation. Roger Poyner, worshipful master of Wynnewood Masonic Lodge 40, presented Jana Smith, scout leader for Wynnewood Cub Scout Pack 79, with a fundraising check after the two organizations partnered May 8 for a very sucessfull pulled pork sandwich fundraiser in downtown Wynnewood. Courtesy photo

Wynnewood Cub Scout Pack 79 receives donation

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
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Sports 

Panther Tennis competes at State

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Pauls Valley’s No. 1 doubles team, Isaac Green and Cooper Maness, finished seventh at the State Championships at the Will Rogers Tennis Center in Oklahoma City.

Leopard golfers compete at State

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Lindsay had two individual golfers qualify for the State Championship at The Coves Golf Club in Afton, Monday and Tuesday.Sophomore Reid Dorman shot 261. Junior Zac Howie shot 267.
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Opinion 

Jonathan Small, President of Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Jonathan Small, President of Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

SQ 832 means higher prices

Jonathan Small
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Supporters of State Question 832, which would impose a California-style wage law in Oklahoma that continually increases the state minimum wage based on the cost of living in places like New York City, portray it as a magic elixir that will boost economic growth and wages for all.
Keeping Our Promises

Keeping Our Promises

Keeping Our Promises

Rep. Tom Cole
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Since the founding of our great nation, men and women have selflessly chosen to serve our country as a part of the Armed Forces.

Wrapping up the 2025-2026 school year

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Dear Maysville families, staff and students, As the year draws to a close, I wanted to “Thank you” for choosing to be a Warrior! The 2025-2026 school year was filled with numerous celebrations and highlights. In August, the district was excited about the $1.54 million bond approval.
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Lifestyle 

The Elmore City-Pernell Elementary School Badgers of the Week for April 13 are King Smithers and Lily Maddox. Both students are in Mrs. Watson's class. Courtesy photo

The Elmore City-Pernell Elementary School Badgers of the Week for April 13 are King Smithers and Lily Maddox. Both students are in Mrs. Watson's class. Courtesy photo

Badgers of the Week

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Community News & Events

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Join the Garvin County Oklahoma Home and Community Education group Thursday, May 21, for May's Leader Lesson: Self-Guided Meditation to Relax for Better Blood Pressure, taught by Oklahoma County Educators Danyelle Kuss and Lisa Hamblin.

Maysville Elementary recognizes students for high marks

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Maysville Elementary School has released its honor rolls for the third nine-weeks of the 2025-2026 school year. Students making all A’s were named to the Superintendent’s Honor Roll and students earning A’s and B’s were recognized on the Principal’s Honor Roll.
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Obituaries 

Robert Brent Grimmett

Robert Brent Grimmett

Robert Brent Grimmett

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Robert Brent Grimmett was born June 22, 1951, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, to Geraldine Johnson Grimmett and Jack Grimmett Sr. Brent entered his heavenly home May 11, 2026, in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 74, after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Billy Joel Mitchell

Billy Joel Mitchell

Billy Joel Mitchell

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Billy Joel Mitchell was born on the family farm near Blanchard, Oklahoma, on September 6, 1934, in the middle of the Great Depression to his parents, Joel Denning Mitchell and Amelia Mellie (Copeland) Mitchell.
Beverly Ann Strickland

Beverly Ann Strickland

Beverly Ann Strickland

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Beverly Ann Strickland, of Stratford, Oklahoma, was born March 31, 1965, and passed away peacefully on a beautiful spring day at her daughter’s home Sunday, April 19, surrounded by the love of her family.
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