Revolving Door Debates over Education Reform

Legislative decisions in regard to literacy rates and how to improve the educational system appears to be a revolving door of the same arguments.

Do more

Someone once told me that people just want to be heard. Well, while that may be true in theory, turning it into a governmental practice doesn’t really do much for citizens.Most of us have experienced the frustration of feeling ignored, dismissed or overlooked. We want our concerns acknowledged.

The price of losing local news

For years, those of us in the newspaper industry have been warning that when a community loses its local newspaper, it loses a part of itself.It loses the reporter sitting quietly in the gallery at the city commission meeting. It loses the seasoned writer chronicling a state championship season.

For the Children

Oklahoma continues to lag in child wellbeing, but improvement possible As the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) works to improve the quality of life for children, data drives our efforts.The Annie E.

Adventures with Allie

Every election season, we hear the same phrases repeated over and over.“Voting is a right.” “Voting is a privilege.” Both are true. But I think they miss something important. Voting is also a responsibility. It is a duty.

Continuing education

You know the saying, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks?” Well, I am getting very close to being an old dog. I hope I will always be open to learning something new though. It may be a new way to teach, a new way to learn or a new way to look at the world.

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.