The Daily Press http://www.poteaudailynews.com http://www.poteaudailynews.com/apfeed.xml--1 Copyright The Daily Press 2013-05-24T21:03:35-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110932013-05-24T21:03:35-04:002013-05-24T21:03:35-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsSizes range from children's to adult, according to owner Darleen Seaman.Seaman said she started accepting donations for the giveaway last week and "we got an enormous amount — which is what we wanted." She will accept additional donations beginning Wednesday, she said.Poteau Main Street Matters is providing tables for the event.A similar giveaway in April "was an amazing blessing," Seaman said."We had people say they found clothes to job hunt and wear to church," she said."We started out with nine tables full and had only one little bag left. It's a great way to recycle good, useable things," she said.Refreshments also will be available.Poteau, OKNo author availableGeneral Store hosts free clothes give-awayThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11093Change0Usable2013-05-24T21:03:35-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110922013-05-24T20:56:24-04:002013-05-24T20:56:24-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily News     The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's many communication outlets such as its free news releases, Facebook and Twitter accounts and weekly fishing reports are useful starting points for finding fishing information. Every week the fishing report provides a listing of lakes and the current state of angling success at that location. The Department also updates its Facebook page daily with current reports from its own personnel as well as its fans on a range of current outdoor activities.      "If you stay connected with the Wildlife Department through these outlets, you are going to have a good, timely picture of what is happening in the outdoors across the state at any given time," said Michael Bergin, information specialist for the Wildlife Department. "With biologists and game wardens stationed across the state, as well as more than 15,000 Facebook fans and almost 3,000 followers on Twitter, we stay pretty connected to what's happening all over the state. If you connect with us, you'll know what's going on, too, because we're constantly sharing photos and reports from our employees and friends who have been having current success. Free Fishing Days are sure to be a great time to snap some photos to share with us, too."      Oklahoma offers fishing in lakes and rivers, but also in urban waters designated by the Wildlife Department as "Close to Home Fishing" locations. Although state fishing licenses and the Oklahoma City fishing permit (where applicable) are not required during Free Fishing Days, anglers should note that certain city permits may still apply to specific fishing areas.     Additionally, anglers fishing Lake Texoma should be aware that Free Fishing Days applies for all of the lake on June 1 but only on Oklahoma portions of the lake on June 2.     Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer free fishing days about 30 years ago and has since been followed by dozens of other states that have established similar days.     The Wildlife Department is encouraging anglers to take a short video clip or photo of someone catching their first fish and send it to the Department through Facebook or Twitter.      The Wildlife Department's Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/wildlifedepartment. On Twitter, search for the handle @OKWildlifeDept.     For more information about fishing in Oklahoma, log on to the Wildlife Department's website at wildlifedepartment.com.Poteau, OKNo author availableFree fishing days in OklahomaThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11092Change0Usable2013-05-24T20:56:24-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110912013-05-24T20:52:42-04:002013-05-24T20:52:42-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsPoteau, OKNo author availablePoteau Frontier Rodeo starts tonightThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11091Change0Usable2013-05-24T20:52:42-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110732013-05-23T17:54:14-04:002013-05-23T17:54:14-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsShe always thought the closet just inside her front door was good enough for shelter, and on Monday it was again. But after an EF5 twister barreled through town, killing 24 people, Bryen and others in this disaster-prone community say they would never build a house without a storm cellar.Monday's twister "changed my thinking," she said, looking at her house, which lost its roof. "I never want to live through that again. That was just terrible, terrible. Hearing the crashing and the banging and the wind and everything."Oklahoma natives know tornadoes. They've been carried into storm cellars as children and huddled in closets with their own kids. But this week's storm stands out, even in a town where violent weather is common. Living through a monster twister that dismantles your house — smelling the cracking lumber as the roof is ripped off, feeling the whoosh of air that indicates you're now exposed — highlights an old danger in a new way.Moore has been through this before. Four tornadoes have hit the town since 1998, including one in 1999 that everyone just calls the "May 3 tornado," which had 300 mph winds and killed more than 40 people.Locals point proudly to how Moore rebounded from that storm, and two more, before this week's twister obliterated entire city blocks and caused damage that's expected to top $2 billion.City officials say the 1999 tornado led more people to install storm shelters in their homes. More than 3,000 shelters are now registered with the city."We have a ton of people now. It's just like buying a refrigerator or a stove for your house. You put in a storm shelter," said Elizabeth Jones, the city's community development director.Moore has been one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Oklahoma City, attracting middle-income families and young couples looking for stable schools and affordable housing.The town's population grew by 35 percent between 2000 and 2010, to about 51,000, as developers built subdivisions for people who wanted to avoid the urban problems and schools of Oklahoma City but couldn't afford pricier college-town Norman next door.Though sprawling, Moore has retained a semi-rural flavor. Pickup trucks are parked in many driveways, and many neighborhoods are surrounded by open land and horse pastures. Residents commute to jobs in Oklahoma City or to Tinker Air Force Base, which is about a 20-minute drive away.Moore's unenviable position in Tornado Alley has prompted changes to the way residents protect themselves and fortify their properties.Some builders use tornado straps or other devices that give added strength to the connections between roof and frame or frame and foundation. But storm shelters remain the best protection. Increasingly, they're cut right into the floor of garages with heavy sliding steel doors.In the minds of some homeowners, a shelter is like any other premium feature that costs a few thousand dollars. For others like Bryen, it's a significant investment. She said she and her husband both live on disability payments.Because many families can't afford shelters and many elected leaders have a philosophy of low regulation, there isn't talk of mandating them."We enforce minimum codes, and then it's up to the residents to determine what level of comfort they have with other safety options that may be available to them," Jones said.Sarah Torrey said she and her husband had talked about saving for a storm cellar, but never followed through. On Monday, she rolled herself and her dog inside a mattress topper and laid down in the hallway of her house."I can't tell you how many tornadoes we've had since we lived in this house," Torrey said. "I mean maybe that's the downside of being an Okie. You stand on your front porch and watch it is the joke."She said she would "absolutely never" again own a house without a storm shelter."Wouldn't even dream of it," she said Tuesday as her family helped salvage items from the remnants of her house. "Like we had talked about it here and there ... but then you just don't. You find other things, 'We'll do it later. We'll do it later.' Here's later."Across town in another neighborhood trashed by the storm, Damon Mabry marveled at a sheet of plywood sunk perpendicularly deep into his front yard. The former prison guard, and veteran of inmate riots, confided that he had cried like a child until he and his wife found their little dog cowering in a closet.Mabry lives in a neighborhood built shortly after the 1999 tornado. He counts four storm shelters at homes on his block, more than some older Moore neighborhoods.There's one cut through the deck on the back of his house. Beneath a sliding red door is a deep, dark hole where a family of four could safely spend a few terrifying minutes. He said his wife, who was home alone when the storm hit Monday, had refused to use the shelter because a frog lives inside. She took her chances and fled elsewhere.Looking inside, he said, "it's a coffin vault."For Mabry, Moore's recent run of bad luck may just be too much.Poteau, OKChristopher Sherman, Associated PressLatest deadly tornado tests Oklahoma town's mettleThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11073Change0Usable2013-05-23T17:54:14-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110722013-05-23T17:50:41-04:002013-05-23T17:50:41-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsRemember the entry deadline is Wednesday, May 29. Entry forms and rules are available from the OSU Extension office in Poteau. Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Poteau, 74953.Organizers have announced the presenters and subjects of the demonstrations:Friday, June 7 10 a.m. - “Coffee Mug Desserts” by Pat Skinner      11 a.m. - “ Ditty Bag” by Donna Elliott1 p.m. - “Pillowcase Dresses” by Jane Naylor2 p.m. - “Sashing Stars” by Barbara Hall3 p.m. - “Easy Saturday, June 8 10 a.m. - “5 X 5 Coaster” by Irene Puckette11 a.m. - “Quilt of Valor” by Betty Glinski1 p.m. - “Easy 2 p.m. - “Peanut Brittle” by Shirley Phillips and Shirley O’Dell3 p.m. - “Microwave Pies” by Charlene Dunn KellyThere will be a drawing for a door prize at each demo!Food will be available to purchase in the Lunch Room. Menu items include Chicken Salad and Ham Salad sandwich plates and home baked goodies.Drawing for the beautiful “Tulips around the Cabin” quilt will be held Saturday afternoon.For further information contact the OSU Extension Center at (918) 647-8231  Poteau, OKNo author availableCounty quilt show right around the cornerThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11072Change0Usable2013-05-23T17:50:41-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110712013-05-23T17:44:11-04:002013-05-23T17:44:11-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsCost is $6 for adults and $3 for children 8 and younger. The menu will include chopped brisket sandwich, baked beans and cole slaw.Owen, 5, is the grandson of Davy and Janie Owens and James and Rise McCoy.Poteau, OKNo author availableOwens benefit dinner set for SundayThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11071Change0Usable2013-05-23T17:44:11-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110662013-05-22T19:13:12-04:002013-05-22T19:13:12-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsPoteau, OKKim RossFour injured in Wednesday morning wreckThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11066Change0Usable2013-05-22T19:13:12-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110652013-05-22T19:08:01-04:002013-05-22T19:08:01-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily News “The people of Oklahoma are resilient,” said Governor Fallin. “The grief we are experiencing right now is indescribable. But we have seen tragedy before, and we have recovered and emerged as stronger people and a stronger state. “This Sunday, I invite the families of those affected by these terrible tragedies, the people of Moore and Shawnee, the state of Oklahoma and all of those who have sent us their thoughts and prayers to attend this memorial service. Together, we can honor those we have lost, pray for those they left behind, and begin to heal together.” Poteau, OKNo author availableGovernor Fallin Announces Memorial and Prayer Service for Tornado VictimsThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11065Change0Usable2013-05-22T19:08:01-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110632013-05-22T11:46:13-04:002013-05-22T11:43:02-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsThe accident occurred on the Poteau River Bridge.Both northbound and southbound vehicles are being stopped and rerouted.Lifeflight and LeFlore County EMS crews are responding, along with local law enforcement and the Oklahoma Highway patrol.The number of injured was not known immediately, but witnesses indicated the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.Poteau, OKKim RossFive-car accidents diverts traffic on 112The Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11063Change0Usable2013-05-22T11:43:02-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:110512013-05-21T14:57:13-04:002013-05-21T14:57:13-04:00Copyright 2010 The Poteau Daily NewsIf you would like to donate, there are several area drop-off points taking financial and material donations. Poteau locations: • The Community State Bank of Poteau - 1409 N. Broadway, (918) 647-8101• Russell Cellular - 2707 N. Broadway, (918) 649-3336• LeFlore County Extension Office - 103 N. Church St. (Annex Building) (918) 647-8231• Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center - 105 Wall St. (918) 647-7102• Salvation Army - 400 Dewey Ave. (918) 647-8780• The Chiropractic Clinic - 2112 N. Broadway, (918) 649-0330 ( leave a message)• Central National Bank - All locations (918) 647-2233Wister location: • Wister Assembly of God - Highland Avenue and Pearl Street (918) 839-0851Shady Point location:• Shan's Shack - (918) 963-2405Items being requested:Monetary donations; bottled water; Gatorade or other sports drinks; wipes; diapers; baby formula; hand towels; individually wrapped snacks; work gloves; canned goods; non-perishable food and snack items; toiletries; hand sanitizer; baby powder and lotion; sunscreen; trash bags; flashlights; batteries; toothpaste and toothbrushes. If you would like to make a financial donation to the victims of Moore you may also visit these websites:• Salvation Army - www.salvationarmyusa.org or text 80888 to make a $10 donation• Red Cross - www.redcross.org/okc or text 90999 to make a $10 donation• United Way - www.unitedwayokc.org• Tulsa Community Foundation - www.tulsacf.org• Regional Food Bank in Tulsa - text "FOOD to 32333 to make a $10 donation • Feed the Children - www.feedthechildren.org/disasterPoteau, OKKim RossArea businesses organize drop-off points for Moore donationsThe Poteau Daily Newsurn:publicid:dailypress.com:11051Change0Usable2013-05-21T14:57:13-04:00