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District Supervisor Jaremy Andrews for the Office of Juvenile Affairs displays a gift box he finished packing for one of more than 200 youths in OJA custody. The gifts were purchased with funds provided by the Santa Claus Commission. OFFICE OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS

District Supervisor Jaremy Andrews for the Office of Juvenile Affairs displays a gift box he finished packing for one of more than 200 youths in OJA custody. The gifts were purchased with funds provided by the Santa Claus Commission. OFFICE OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS

Gifts from state Santa Claus Commission delivered by OJA staff to kids in custody

OKLAHOMA CITY — More than 200 youths in the custody of the state Office of Juvenile Affairs were remembered by Santa Claus this year. OJA staff members collaborated with the Santa Claus Commission to make sure all 210 of the youths in custody received gifts.
The partnership between Redlands and Western is designed to address the nursing shortage by increasing student capacity in both colleges’ nursing programs as well as address the level of care provided to Native American tribes. PROVIDED

The partnership between Redlands and Western is designed to address the nursing shortage by increasing student capacity in both colleges’ nursing programs as well as address the level of care provided to Native American tribes. PROVIDED

Rural, tribal healthcare benefit from partnership

ALTUS — Healthcare in rural Oklahoma continues to be impacted by a lack of providers, but a five-year federal grant totaling $2.75 million awarded to Redlands Community College in El Reno and Western Oklahoma State College in Altus is designed to address the healthcare shortage.
The state Ethics Commission listens as Julie Pittman, deputy general counsel for the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General, presents information about the state’s open meetings and open records acts Jan. 14. WHITNEY BRYEN | OKLAHOMA WATCH

The state Ethics Commission listens as Julie Pittman, deputy general counsel for the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General, presents information about the state’s open meetings and open records acts Jan. 14. WHITNEY BRYEN | OKLAHOMA WATCH

Open meeting violations led to arrests of four Billings school board members

Authorities in Noble County have taken the unusual step of arresting and charging four school board members accused of violating the Open Meeting Act. The board members met multiple times outside of public meetings, including in June to hire a new superintendent, according to a court affidavit.
Preparations are made for a Saturday matinee screening of Avatar at the Liberty Movie Theatre in Carnegie on Dec. 17. RIP STELL | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

Preparations are made for a Saturday matinee screening of Avatar at the Liberty Movie Theatre in Carnegie on Dec. 17. RIP STELL | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

Liberty Theatre rebounds from COVID shutdown

CARNEGIE — When Jerry Applewhite reopened the Liberty Theatre in Carnegie on Nov. 24, 2021 – 20 months after closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the response was overwhelming.
The marquee for the Vaska Theatre in Lawton is shown Dec. 20. RIP STELL | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

The marquee for the Vaska Theatre in Lawton is shown Dec. 20. RIP STELL | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

Vaska: ‘Our crowd continues to grow’

LAWTON – The COVID-19 pandemic upended many industries, including the film industry. Movie theaters closed their doors temporarily, and new releases were postponed due to COVID-related production delays. And even when theaters reopened, some audiences were slow to return.