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News
September 30, 2022
Childhood Behavioral Health Needs the Focus of ARPA Appropriations Bill
By News Staff

Children facing mental and behavioral health issues would have access to increased and improved services under a $39.4 million appropriation to OU Children’s Hospital under consideration during next week’s special legislative session. If approved by the Legislature, the money would go towards building long-term in patient bed capacity for children in mental health crisis. This is in addition to $27.3 million in appropriations the Legislature has made to OU during the past two regular sessions for the project at Children’s Hospital.

The bill, HB1007, is one of a number of bills that will be under consideration during next week’s special session. In addition to providing the appropriation, language in the bill would limit the University Hospital Authority Trust from receiving funds if any affiliated facilities at the OU Medical Center campus perform ‘gender reassignment medical treatment.’

Rep. Randy Randleman, REufaula, who is certified as a teacher, counselor, principal, psychometrist, superintendent and licensed psychologist, said the legislation not only provides funding to address an immediate need, but contains necessary guardrails to protect children as a prerequisite to receiving the funding.

‘Funding for childhood mental and behavioral health issues is a critical need not only in Oklahoma, but across the country,’ said Randleman. ‘At the same time, some of the ways these issues are being addressed do more harm than good for the child in the long run. Unproven, controversial, unchangeable hormonal procedures, including gender reassignment, at a young age can do irreparable physical, mental and emotional damage to a child. Taxpayer dollars should not be going to facilities that are promoting and performing these procedures. This legislation provides the guardrails necessary to make sure that funding goes where it is supposed to go, and not towards procedures that will hurt our children rather than help them.’

For purposes of the legislation, the term ‘gender reassignment medical treatment’ means any health care to facilitate the transitioning of a patient’s assigned gender identity on the patient’s birth certificate, to the gender identity experienced and defined by the patient.

Randleman went on to say that the term ‘gender reassignment medical treatment’ would not apply to medically necessary procedures for individuals born with ambiguous genitalia, incomplete genitalia or both male and female anatomy. It also would not apply to services provided to individuals born with a genetically or biochemically verifiable disorder of sex development (DSD).

‘Individuals needing medically necessary treatment due to an anatomical or genetic issue will still be able to get that treatment,’ said Randleman. ‘This bill is simply meant to limit the support, through appropriated ARPA dollars, of facilities providing elective gender reassignment procedures for children.’

The Legislature reconvenes the Second Extraordinary Session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature Sept. 28-30.

Reliving history
A: Main, Main...
Reliving history
March 30, 2023
Larry Crowe provided a sneak preview Wednesday of his Big Toy Museum, located in Sallisaw's old middle school. The tour of the remodeled school was a trip down Memory Lane for many who were students w...
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New football coach expects Diamonds to return to ‘elite 4A program’
A: Main, Main...
New football coach expects Diamonds to return to ‘elite 4A program’
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
March 30, 2023
If history does, indeed, repeat itself and new Sallisaw football coach Brandon Tyler replicates the success he enjoyed at Vian and Gore, then go ahead and make hotel reservations for the Class 4A stat...
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Vian Superintendent’s resignation accepted
A: Main, Main...
Vian Superintendent’s resignation accepted
Along with business manager’s in special meeting
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
March 30, 2023
Vian Public School Superintendent Victor Salcedo and Business Manager Ed Brockman’s resignations were accepted by the Vian Board of Education on March 29, during a special meeting. After going into an...
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Man reportedly exposes himself
A: Main, Main...
Man reportedly exposes himself
Between Walmart and bank
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
March 30, 2023
A Sayre man is facing a felony charge of indecent exposure after he reportedly exposed himself earlier this month in Sallisaw. Wilbur C. Poindexter, 65, was formally charged on March 10 in Sequoyah Co...
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Board of Education, Municipal Election is Tuesday
A: Main, Main...
Board of Education, Municipal Election is Tuesday
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
March 30, 2023
Sequoyah County voters will go to the polls to decide who will represent area schools and towns in the Board of Education General Election and Municipal General Election on Tuesday, April 4. Scott Cha...
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City inmate allegedly overdoses on fentanyl
A: Main, Main...
City inmate allegedly overdoses on fentanyl
Administered five does of Narcan
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
March 30, 2023
A Sallisaw woman is charged with a felony count of bringing contraband into jail, specifically fentanyl, after she allegedly overdosed on the substance while incarcerated in the Sallisaw City Jail. Cr...
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Editor Picks
J.P. Wickett Memorial Junior Rodeo set for April 1-2
A: Main, Main...
J.P. Wickett Memorial Junior Rodeo set for April 1-2
March 30, 2023
The 2023 John Perry Wickett Memorial Junior Rodeo will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 1-2, at the Sallisaw Rodeo Grounds. Sponsored by the Sallisaw Round-Up Club, All-Around buckles will be presen...
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Easy spring fixings
Lifestyle
A Few of My Favorite Things
Easy spring fixings
March 30, 2023
We are finally into spring! The trees are blooming and the flowers are growing. If you have tulips, daffodils or hyacinth, you may already have blooms but most certainly have buds if nothing else. It ...
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Pirates blank McCurtain
Sports
Pirates blank McCurtain
March 30, 2023
Gore’s Gunner Dozier makes a catch during the Pirates’ home game against McCurtain Monday. The Pirates (8-2 overall), who started play in the Dewar Invitational Gumbo Classic Thursday, defeated McCurt...
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Sequoyah County sports calendar
Sports
Sequoyah County sports calendar
March 30, 2023
All schedules are subject to change. FRIDAY, MARCH 31 •Roland, Central, Gore and Webbers Falls track and field teams at Okemah (To Be Announced) •Vian track and field teams at Chelsea (9:30 a.m.) •Sal...
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Fishing Report for March 29
Sports
Fishing Report for March 29
March 30, 2023
LOWER ILLINOIS: March 24. Elevation is normal, water temperature 50°F and clear. Brown and rainbow trout fair on in-line spinnerbaits, midges, nymphs, PowerBait, and worms below the dam. Comments: Fis...
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