Skyler Hammons

1 month ago | mcalesternews.com | Skyler Hammons

A local adoption event, Cosmic Companions and Coffee, is held monthly at a McAlester coffee shop in hopes of finding homes for dogs and cats from the Pittsburg County Animal Shelter. Sheila Ketchum, Cosmic Companions and Coffee organizer, said the first adoption event was held Jan. 26, 2024. Over the last year, the event has accomplished the adoption of 41 dogs and cats. kAm“%96 D96=E6C :D 2=H2JD 7F== H:E9 5@8D 2?5 42ED[” z6E49F> D2:5] “%96C6 :D ;FDE 2? @G6CA@AF=2E:@? 96C6 :?

2 months ago | mcalesternews.com | Skyler Hammons

Three Pittsburg County school districts — Kiowa, Indianola and Haileyville — are seeking voters' approval on school bonds Tuesday. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.kAm$2> #9J?6[ z:@H2 !F3=:4 $49@@=D DFA6C:?E6?56?E[ D2:5 9:D 5:DEC:4E’D 3@?5 :D 7@4FD65 @? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]72463@@<]4@>^D92C6^G^`)`>Bdg%"w^n>:36IE:5lHH)x7CTa_Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmEC2?DA@CE2E:@? ?665Dk^2m] %96 3@?5 H:== 2==@H E96 D49@@= E@ AFC492D6 ?6H 3FD6D @?6 E:>6 C2E96C E92? C6=J @?

2 months ago | mcalesternews.com | Skyler Hammons

The Youth Emergency Shelter has been a service to many children in the area since the ‘70s, and has continued to evolve over the years. Kristy Cusher, Youth Emergency Shelter assistant director, said the organization is a private nonprofit with the doors to the shelter opening in 1971. The shelter building was originally donated by the regional health authority. kAm“(96? A2C6?ED H6C6 A:4<65 FA 7@C 2 s&x @C E9:?8D @7 E92E ?2EFC6[ 2?5 E96C6 H2D ?@ A=246 7@C E92E <:5 E@ 8@[ E96J D=6AE :? 2 4@E :?

2 months ago | mcalesternews.com | Skyler Hammons

The Youth Emergency Shelter has continued to help children in the area through new programs and will be adding to its current building with hopes of serving more in the community. Kristy Cusher, Youth Emergency Shelter assistant director, said the organization is in the middle of expanding its current space by adding a new building. The funds for the new building, which is set to be behind their current facility, are from ARPA COVID-19 relief funds. kAm“(96?

2 months ago | mcalesternews.com | Skyler Hammons

A special Hartshorne City Council meeting to discuss employment of the Hartshorne police chief ended with no decision. The council entered into executive session to discuss Jerry Ford’s continued employment. After exiting the executive session, the council announced they chose to reconvene on the matter at a later meeting. kA 5:ClQ=ECQm}@ 4@>>6?E H2D >256 3J E96 4:EJ 4@F?4:= 2?5 ?@ @77:4:2= 52E6 92D 366? D6E 7@C E96 ?6IE >66E:?8 @? E9:D E@A:4]k^AmkA 5:ClQ=ECQm%96 564:D:@? @?