Staff photo by Doug Russell
Students participating in the annual 4-H Share the Fun day in McCurtain Saturday join for a picture after completing their acts.

Senator won't run again

Lerblance

By Doug Russell
News Editor
He's not going to run for reelection, but he's not through fighting either.
District 7 state Sen. Richard Lerblance says he's not going to run for reelection, since he would only be able to serve two of the four years of the term. "I just don't think a special election in 2014 would be in the best interest of the district," he said Monday.
Oklahoma limits the time a legislator can serve to 12 years, no matter which branch of the legislature he or she is in. In Lerblance's case, he was first elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2002. When former state Sen. Gene Stipe resigned from the legislature in 2003, Lerblance won a special election to fill the Senate position.
His current term ends on Nov. 19. "If I run again and win, I have only two years to serve," he said. "Two years being in the minority is not a real good thing. (more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)

A helping hand

By Doug Russell
News Editor
Sometimes you just have to use what skills you have to help others, even when there's nothing in it for you.
Ask Dr. Joe Swink. For several years, he and members of his family have joined other dentists from across the state to provide free dental care for those who can't otherwise afford it, and this year is no exception.
The Stigler dentist and his family are among the dental care providers who'll be giving free dental care this weekend at the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester. The free clinic will be held Friday and Saturday, but if you want to be seen you'll need to get there early. Thousands of people attend the clinic each year, and all of the dental care is first come, first served.
Services provided by the Mission of Mercy dental clinic include cleanings, fillings, extractions and a limited number of anterior root canals. There are no eligibility or income requirements to be treated, and event organizers expect to serve 2,000 children and adults, according to Doug Old, president of the Oklahoma Dental Association.
"Last year's success of caring for more than 2,200 attendees in Oklahoma City brings hope for even greater outreach in our third year in my hometown of McAlester," he said."Many Oklahomans prioritize their needs and simply are not able to budget for proper dental care. This event allows us to treat people who may otherwise continue to put off a dental appointment until a toothache becomes unbearable and results in infection or worse."
Doors for the clinic open at 5 a.m. each day and close when a specified number of patients are signed in, usually about 800 or so. Once signed in, each patient will be evaluated and sent to another area for dental help. (more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)