Possum Hollow Resident

Longtime Possum Hollow resident John Bates pulls an opossum's tail while going face-to-face and trying to get the animal off of his fence. Bates' great-grandson Chase Heather spotted the varmint, during a visit over spring break. Karen Sloan grabbed a camera to record the encounter between the animal and her grandfather while great-grandaughters Daycen Sloan and Kensey Hatcher looked on.

(Submitted photo by Karen Sloan)

Clean up Meth

Record number turns out for anti-drug rally

By Doug Russell
News Editor
Anyone who thinks he or she isn't touched by drug use is mistaken, according to District Attorney Farley Ward.
Speaking to a record number of people — 102 officially signed in, and others who didn't put their names on the line — during the third annual March Against Meth, Ward told everyone assembled that drugs affect people in more ways than many believe. "The odds are, if you're not a victim already, you will be," he said. "If anyone tries to tell you that drugs are victimless crimes, they either don't know what they're talking about or they're lying."
Methamphetamine, Ward said, is "Satan's favorite tool for destroying our country. He's doing it one family at a time."
Once a person chooses to use methamphetamine a downward spiral begins. He'll run through his savings, then his paycheck and, eventually, start stealing to support his habit, police say. Often, his attitude, his entire outlook on life, will change. Paranoia will set in. He'll drive away friends and family with his behavior. "(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)

'Elvis' coming to Stigler

by:Doug Russel News Editor

Long live the King — and he's living on this summer as the class of 1961 hosts the All School Reunion Dinner during Reunion Days 2011.
Each year, the class celebrating its 50th reunion hosts the dinner, and each year the class members try to find something special for those who attend. This year, that something special will be the King of Rock 'n' Roll putting on a special show at the Stigler VFW.
OK, so it's not the real King, who died in 1977, but according to those who've seen him, the impersonator coming in for Reunion Days is the closest you can get to seeing Elvis Presley in person.
"He's just amazing," said Kathy Martin, a member of the class of 1961. "Carolyn Benham is the guru of Elvis, and she found him for us.".(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)

Submitted photo
Kasey Marlatt of Stigler Masonic Lodge No. 121 presents a certificate for a perpetual Lodge membership for Chad Peery to Peery's children Saturday. Peery, an Oklahoma City police officer who resides in Stigler, was seriously injured in an altercation outside an Oklahoma City club in February.

A hit on the green:

by:Doug Russel News Editor

Twenty-one teams, a gray day, a cool breeze and a determination to have fun while helping a family in need — those were the ingredients that mixed together Saturday for the fundraising Chad Peery Golf Tournament.
When all was said and done and matching funds from Stigler Masonic Lodge No. 121 were added to the mix, $9,140 was raised for the family of a seriously injured police officer.
"We are so grateful to everyone who braved the cold weather and showed their support for such a worthy cause," said Ann Burch, an organizer of the event.
Chad Peery was helping quell a disturbance at an Oklahoma City sports bar and grill when some men he was escorting out attacked him on Feb. 15. He was off duty at the time, but the Oklahoma City police said that since he was helping club employees quell a disturbance, he would continue to receive pay for up to six months as if he had been on-duty.(more on this story in this week's Stigler News Sentinel)

Submitted photo
The children of injured police officer Chad Peery show off the trophies they were presented by one of the top three teams at a fundraising golf tournament for their family.