A Young Donor Gives to the Salvation Army

Staff photo by: Karen West

A young donor gives to the Salvation Army bucket at the Stigler Walmart. Bell ringers for the Salvation Army will continue to collect money through Christmas Eve. All donations will be used to help local families, according to those overseeing the bell ringing.

Youth wants Christmas Greetings for the Holiday

by: Doug Russel News Editor

At a glance
An 8-year-old boy with a terminal illness would like cards for Christmas.
Cards should be mailed to
Steven Cunningham
20185 NCR4590
Keota, OK 74941

What he wants for Christmas is cards, lots of cards. And this could very well be his last year to enjoy them.
Eight-year-old Steven Cunningham was born with a heart defect that could very well prevent him from seeing his ninth birthday. "His heart just didn't develop the way it should," said Steven's mother, Amanda Cunningham. "He's had seven open heart surgeries already.
"When we took him to St. Louis they told us he had maybe two more years. The last year and a half have been kinda — it's been hard."
Steven has been staying with his grandparents, Clay and Jeannette Foster of Keota, while his mom goes out of town to work. But when she's home, Amanda spends as much time with her young man as she can. And that includes opening the mail.
Monday, for example, Steven grew very excited to receive a variety of different Christmas cards. "You'd have thought it was Christmas and he was opening presents," Amanda said. "He said, 'Oh, my God, Momma, look at all the people who sent cards!'
"It's been wonderful."
Many churches have been praying for the young man whose heart didn't develop all four chambers and the family is certain the prayers help, but family members also realize that a power far greater than themselves or their circle of friends is in control.
"This could be his last Christmas," Amanda said of Steven. "If everyone could send a card, that would be really great."
Even if the cards don't make it in until after Christmas.
"Even then. They mean a lot to him."
Cards for Steven's Christmas should be mailed to: Steven Cunningham, 20185 NCR4590, Keota, OK 74941

No Action on Watts Case... Yet

by: Doug Russel News Editor

Governor Brad Henry has yet to receive a recommendation to commute the sentence of a former restaurant owner who shot another man to death, according to Paul Sund, the governor's spokesman.
Lawrence Tyrone Watts, 60, was sentenced in 2004 to 25 years for the shooting death of 49-year-old Anthony Greco outside of Watts' barbecue restaurant in Eufaula. On Dec. 8, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended that Watts' sentence be commuted to time served — meaning that he could be freed after just six years if the governor grants commutation.
That has Greco family members wondering if there truly is any justice in the justice system, and if the fact that Lawrence Watts' brother is a former U.S. representative is playing a part in the case.

(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)