Adventures with Allie

There are people in this world who love loudly, and there are people who love steadily. The steady kind are the ones who shape your life so deeply that you do not even realize how much of yourself was built by them until one day they are gone.My Popou was that kind of man.

Meet the intern

Dear readers, I am Caleson Coon and the summer 2026 intern for Cimarron Valley Communications. I grew up in Okemah, OK, along with receiving my high school diploma from my hometown in 2024.

Every community has its favorites

The restaurant where the waitress knows your order before you sit down. The mechanic who always finds time to squeeze you in. The teacher who changed a student's life. The local business owner who sponsors little league teams, donates to fundraisers and quietly supports causes throughout the year.

Home Grown

Horticulture Tips for June It’s already June! Where did spring go this year? Well, here are a few tips to get you through another month of gardening.• Remain diligent for insect activity. Vegetable growers should be scouting regularly so you can maintain the upper hand.

Adventures with Allie

There are some mottos that feel less like slogans and more like sacred instructions handed down through generations. Tiny philosophical lanterns lighting the path of human existence.“I hear. I see. I learn.”Honestly? That’s the kind of motto everyone needs.Think about it.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Allie, Several weeks ago you wrote a very nice article about “the arts” in Cushing. The article featured the CHS drama and vocal music departments and their production of the musical “Footloose.” It was an outstanding production that showcased the amazing talents of the students.

The Pros and Cons of a Minimum Wage Increase for Oklahomans

Voters will decide State Question 832, the minimum wage increase, on June 16. If passed, the state question would boost the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 in 2027, to $13.50 in 2028, and to $15 in 2029, with further increases tied to the cost of living.

Importance of informing voters

In every election cycle, there are candidates who understand that running for office is about more than putting a name on a ballot. It is about communicating with the public, respecting voters’ time, and recognizing that informed citizens select better leaders and make stronger communities.

My ducks are not in a row

At this point I'm pretty sure my ducks have migrated for the winter leaving behind no forwarding address, no postcard with a “wish you were here” lie, and no courtesy goodbye quack.

Not in use

Every week, I read crash reports.Just plain black-and-white summaries written by officers, troopers and deputies after somebody’s worst day became paperwork.Most of them follow the same rhythm. Location. Time of collision. Weather conditions. Narrative. Injuries.