Cheers to OSBI Reporting Field Representative Misty Jeter, who was published in the June 2023 edition of The Journal of Forensic Science Education. The Dickson graduate focused on Martha Goddard, the inventor of the sexual assault evidence kit. It is enjoyable to see area grads excel in their fields and congratulations are certainly in order for Jeter and her professional success.

Cheers to organizers and sponsors who worked together to make the Juneteenth weekend a success. Starting with a Daughter/Daddy Dance along with the Juneteenth Celebration at Whittington Park and Juneteenth Festival at The HFV Wilson Community Center, it was a weekend to bring the community together.

Cheers to Youth Force, a Methodist ministry made up from teens from Ardmore, the Oklahoma City area and other municipalities. The middle school and high school students spent last week completing projects on local houses that needed some upgrades. The mission was also supported by volunteers and businesses in the community. The experience not only benefited homeowners who could not afford repairs but the students, who lived an example of service for others.

Jeers to Gov. Kevin Stitt and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who were out of state and unable to fulfill their duties and declare a state of emergency for those impacted by weekend storms in the eastern part of the state. Stitt left last week for Paris and Pinnell left Monday for a Lieutenant Governor’s conference. Neither communicated their absence to Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, who assumes the role of acting governor with both are out of state. Turns out it is hard to govern when you have a failure to communicate. Treat acted swiftly Tuesday after learning he was the acting governor, declaring the state of emergency.

— Michael Pineda