Stigler News Sentinel

07/11/2025

Choctaw District 5 Election Early voting Friday July 11, Regular election July 12

By Jeff Brown
Editor

District 5 Choctaw tribal members will vote for a new council member this week Members may take part in early voting this Friday, July 11 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regular voting takes place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Voters may cast their ballots in respective boxes located at the Choctaw Tribal Community Centers located east of Stigler at 2208 East Main. Spiro area voters may use the Choctaw center in Spiro. Spiro’s location is at 149 AES Road in Spiro.

This is a Special Election held to fill the seat left open due to the resignation of former Councilman Ron Perry earlier this Spring. Seven candidates have filed, according to the Choctaw Nation Election web page.

They are: Tami Gonzalez Cantrell, Marlena Christy, Sharona Farmer,
Kimberly Ford, Earl Smith, Vinnie Terrell, Jennifer Turner.

All candidates listed here are posted on the Choctaw Nation Election Board website, and are current as of press time Wednesday. Voters should check with polling places before voting to see if any candidates have withdrawn from the election.

Voters are encouraged to come in as early as possible to avoid waiting and deadlines. Polling places must close by times posted above.

07/10/2025

‘LONG JOURNEY AHEAD’ FOR FIRE VICTIMS, FUNDRAISERS SET

LYNN ADAMS, Sequoyah County Times

Editor’s Note: As of press time Tuesday afternoon, we learned that Ely Smith had passed away due to his injuries.

Optimism remains the watchword this week in the face of debilitating hopelessness for three people — two from Vian — who remain in critical condition following last week’s fireworks explosion in Tuskahoma.

Ely Smith, 22, and Cash Collins, 18, both Vian graduates, and Brad Lewallen, a volunteer firefighter for Camp Gruber and Keys, face “a long journey ahead” in the wake of a fire that ignited a cache of fireworks being set up at the Choctaw Nation Capitol grounds July 2 in preparation for the annual Boom in the Valley celebration. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

BBQ benefit - A BBQ meal, silent auction and bake sale will be held on Saturday, July 26, from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds for Brad Lewallen, Ely Smith and Cash Collins. All proceeds will be split between the three families to help with expenses.



Benefit account - An account has been set up at Armstrong Bank for Ely Smith and his family. Donations can be made at any Armstrong Bank location.



Dog raffle - Two mini golden doodles will be raffled off at $50 per chance by Teresa Stewart of Vian, with all proceeds going to the families of Cash Collins and Ely Smith. To purchase a raffle, contact Stewart at 918-208-5144.



Hunting raffle - The Cato and Simon families are selling $100 chances for a white tail hunt in western Oklahoma, set for the second weekend of rifle season with all proceeds going to Cash Collins and his family. Joe Paul Simon and family members, as well as Brian “Pigman” Quaca will be at the hunt, which will be filmed and aired on the Sportsman channel. Raffle tickets can be purchased from now until July 31, with the drawing set for August 1. The winner will also be receiving a rifle/scope and ammo to take on the hunt.

Red bows - Richard and Deana Clouse are making and selling red bows for $3 each that show support for burn victim awareness. They are willing to meet with anyone in Vian or Sallisaw. All proceeds will go to Cash Collins and Ely Smith’s families.

Complete story available at

LYNN ADAMSSequoyah County Times Editor’s Note: As of press time Tuesday afternoon, we learned that Ely Smith had passed away due to his injuries.Optimism remains the watchword this week in the face of

07/10/2025

🎉🗝️ The Stigler News-Sentinel Treasure Hunt has officially begun! 🗝️🎉

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07/10/2025

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07/10/2025

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07/09/2025

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07/09/2025

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07/09/2025

Akins Works as Writer/Content Creator Covering OKC Thunder

Submitted Photo
Bryson Akins meets Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti at Emerson College in Nov. 2024.

By John Block
Sports Editor & Staff Writer
Bryson Akins, a 2021 Keota graduate, started working for LastWordOnSports in January as a writer covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. As of June 30, he has written 35 articles for the company with his last being “Grading The Thunders’ 2025 NBA Draft Class”.
“It was a dream come true (Thunder winning the NBA Championship.) I still get a little emotional when I look at pictures from the parade and clips from Game 7. I also think this championship and team mean more than basketball. I am currently writing a story on how the Thunder not only rebuilt the team, but the city and state. I wasn’t alive when the Oklahoma City Bombing happened, but I do know that day changed everything for the state. It brought everyone together, no matter who you were. 25 years ago if someone said they were from Oklahoma, people would bring up the bombing. 10 years ago if you mentioned you were from Oklahoma, they would bring up Kevin Durant and (Russell) Westbrook. Now if you say you are from Oklahoma, they will recognize you, the fanbase, and state as NBA Champions,” Akins said.

The complete story is in the July 3 issue of the Stigler News-Sentinel, available in stores and online. Subscribe at https://publisher.etype.services/Stigler-News-Sentinel

07/08/2025

Homestead Sweet Home: Riddle Rides Honey Harvest to Sweet Success

By Jeff Brown
Editor
Roy Riddle is a self described jack of all trades. “I’ve done a wide variety of things for a living,” he says. “But I wish I’d discovered beekeeping when I was 27 instead of 47. It’s the most enjoyable and satisfying thing I’ve ever done.
Roy and partner / friend Justin Fitzer started keeping bees “about four years ago”, with the idea that they’d build up a few rows of hives. When the time was right, they’d have enough honey to eat a little, give a little away and sell the rest.
Justin and Roy, locally known as Roy Wayne, or “Little Hide”, (his dad is the late Rawhide Riddle), even in the first year enjoyed some good numbers. So good in fact that they were able to sell honey as was one of the first vendors at the Stigler Farmer’s Market. Roy still uses that venue as a key sales spot on his route of feed stores and mom and pop places. Brew and Bliss coffee shop and Flyin’ B Produce adjacent to the Stigler Health and Wellness parking lot also have Bee Natural Farms Honey, the Fitzer-Riddle brand.

The complete story is in the July 3 issue of the Stigler News-Sentinel, available in stores and online.
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07/07/2025

FASTPITCH AD SALES BEGIN

School will begin in just over a month, the summer has flown by. The Stigler News-Sentinel has started advertising sales for the FastPitch Special Publication B Section that will be included in a early to mid August issue of the Stigler News-Sentinel. The advertising deadline is July 31, contact Rochelle Owen, Advertising Representative, today at 918-967-4655 or email her at [email protected]

In addition to business ads, the Fastpitch publication will also allow parents and guardians to wish their athlete goodluck on the upcoming season through a personal ad. If interested in purchasing a personal ad contact John Block at 918-448-6537 or [email protected]