Maysville Elementary School Team shows off their Reading Rope models made during a training from the Oklahoma Literacy Initiative. Pictured, from left, front: Maggie Shannon, Susan Green, Kendra Schenk (OLI Consultant), Kimberly Layton, Mandy Russell, Kelsey Ring; back: Kevan Fortney, Principal John Edwards, Kortney McCaskill, Jennifer Nimmo, Kacee Uhles, Mandee Anderson and Jessica Dean. Courtesy Photo

Maysville Elementary School Team shows off their Reading Rope models made during a training from the Oklahoma Literacy Initiative. Pictured, from left, front: Maggie Shannon, Susan Green, Kendra Schenk (OLI Consultant), Kimberly Layton, Mandy Russell, Kelsey Ring; back: Kevan Fortney, Principal John Edwards, Kortney McCaskill, Jennifer Nimmo, Kacee Uhles, Mandee Anderson and Jessica Dean. Courtesy Photo

Maysville Elementary piloting new literacy initiative

Maysville Elementary is one of 10 schools in the state selected as a pilot for the State Chamber...
Crews with Hoffman Sanitation worked to distribute polycarts to residential addresses across Maysville Saturday morning. News Star photo by Suzanne Mackey

Crews with Hoffman Sanitation worked to distribute polycarts to residential addresses across Maysville Saturday morning. News Star photo by Suzanne Mackey

Maysville rolls out new trash service

Maysville residents are making the switch from dumpsters to polycarts this week.
Even kangaroos hopped into the Garvin County Free Fair Kid’s Day action this year. “Mop” the kangaroo was on-hand to greet kids at the First United Bank booth and encourage them to “Hop into Saving” during the Free Fair Kid’s Day Friday. News Star photo by Suzanne Mackey

Even kangaroos hopped into the Garvin County Free Fair Kid’s Day action this year. “Mop” the kangaroo was on-hand to greet kids at the First United Bank booth and encourage them to “Hop into Saving” during the Free Fair Kid’s Day Friday. News Star photo by Suzanne Mackey

A Hopping Good Time at the County Fair

Pauls Valley ambulance service transitions to AMR

Pauls Valley ambulance service transitions to AMR

Pauls Valley ambulance service transitions to AMR

As of this week, Pauls Valley has a new ambulance service provider. American Medical Response (AMR) began providing ambulance service to residents Tuesday, taking over from Mercy Hospital Ada, whose contract with the city expired Aug. 31.

Community News & Events

The Lindsay Chamber of Commerce is asking for specific non-perishable food items to help “Drive Hunger Out of Lindsay.” The effort will allow the Chamber to give families a meal, as food is available. Food items should be shelf stable and things that can be used to make a minimal meal.

Panthers head to Dickson for 2026 season opener

PAULS VALLEY — The Pauls Valley Panthers open the 2026 season Friday night on the road at Dickson. The Comets opened their season last week with an impressive 55-21 win over Coalgate in Week 0 action.
Elmore City-Pernell’s Jesse Cook goes up and intercepts a pass in front of Rush Springs’ Derrick Boyster during Friday’s 48-0 loss to the Redskins. Photo by Mike Arie

Elmore City-Pernell’s Jesse Cook goes up and intercepts a pass in front of Rush Springs’ Derrick Boyster during Friday’s 48-0 loss to the Redskins. Photo by Mike Arie

New era, same rivalry: Rush Springs rolls past Badgers in 8-man opener

RUSH SPRINGS — Over the past 25 years, the Elmore City-Pernell Badgers and Rush Springs Redskins have met on the 11-man gridiron 18 times. Friday night at Joe Tunnell Field marked a new era as the rivals squared off for the first time in 8-man football.
Bringing Oklahomans to the table

Bringing Oklahomans to the table

Bringing Oklahomans to the table

Six of my interim study requests were approved this year, and I am now meeting with individuals, organizations and state agencies to prepare for each one.

Open our eyes

Hello readers, I would like to share a story with you from the Bible, found in 2 Kings 6:8-20. The Syrians were making war with Israel, and the king told his servants where they were to camp.
.

.

The church belongs to Christ

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:37-38).
.

.

A warning concerning obedience

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus gave us a very serious warning. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Donnie Howard Higginbottom

Donnie Howard Higginbottom

Donnie Howard Higginbottom

Donnie Howard Higginbottom passed away August 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 78.
Christina “Chris” Benthin

Christina “Chris” Benthin

Christina “Chris” Benthin

Christina “Chris” Benthin, beloved mother, grandmother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Maysville, Oklahoma, on August 17, 2026, just days after celebrating her 72nd birthday.
Donald Kenneth Johnson

Donald Kenneth Johnson

Donald Kenneth Johnson

Donald Kenneth Johnson, of Pauls Valley, passed away August 22, 2026, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, at the age of 95 years. Kenneth was born January 23, 1931, in Wynnewood, Oklahoma to Donald Kennedy and Viola Edith Tucker Johnson.