“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2

POTEAU — LeFlore County District Attorney Kevin Merritt announced Tuesday that Alex Nathaniel Davis, 35, of Poteau, will spend the rest of life in prison for the July 2021, murder of Tara Strozier. Strozier, 40, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was missing for more than a week before her body was found in a pond in Cameron.

Davis pled guilty to all charges on July 10, when he appeared with his attorneys before LeFlore County Associate District Judge Marion Fry. Formal sentencing took place Tuesday in the same courtroom on the second floor of the LeFlore County Courthouse. He was sentenced to life without parole for the murder, 20 years for kidnapping her, and one year for obstruction.

"Alex Davis will spend every day for the rest of his life in prison for the evil and sickening murder of Tara Strozier," Merritt said after sentencing was imposed by the Court. "His grotesque and horrifying actions toward the victim during her last moments on earth were especially heinous and cruel."

Merritt's District 16 DA's Office, which also includes Latimer County, spends time consulting with and trying to assist families impacted by violent crime. The DA's Office in Poteau and Wilburton each have Victim Witness Coordinators specially trained to assist the families of victims that fall prey to criminals like Davis.

"l hope Tara's family feels some sense of relief and justice, knowing that today's life sentence without the possibility of parole means one of the men responsible for her death has been found guilty of taking her life and will never be released from prison. He will eventually die behind prison walls, which is what he deserves for his crimes," Merritt said.

Austin Johnson was also charged with the kidnapping and murder of Strozier. His jury trial is scheduled for late January 2026.

Merritt said the effort to seek justice for Strozier was the result of some very hard work and cooperation by law enforcement officers across multiple agencies.

"l want to thank the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office and the Oklahoma Statue Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for their thorough investigation,” said Merritt. “The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), Choctaw Nation Lighthorse, Poteau Police Department, and the District 16 Drugs and Violent Crime Task Force were instrumental in helping us piece together what happened in this case. Thanks to their collective efforts, some justice was done today."

MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Angel Urbina-Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbina Ramirez, a/k/a Angel Urbinaramirez, 53, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Poteau pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien, punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than ten years, and a fine of not more than $250,000. 

The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division.

The Indictment alleged that on June 13, 2025, Urbina-Ramirez, an alien, was found in the United States after having been previously removed on Jan. 30, 2018, without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

D. Edward Snow, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report. 

A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Urbina-Ramirez will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dak T. Cohen represented the United States.

Deadline to register for biannual Poteau All-School Reunion is Aug. 1.

The reunion is set for Aug. 29-30. Cost is $35.00 per person including a beverage coozie gift for first 200 registrants. Reunion t-shirts will also be available for purchase ($20 at the reunion, $25 if mailed as selected on the registration form).

Registration may be completed either on Facebook at the Poteau High School Alumni page or by mail. The social media platform option includes QR codes for completing  the registration form, plus purchasing tickets and souvenir t-shirts.

Payment also can be made via the CashApp QR code on the alumni Facebook page or $PoteauAlumni.

Those preferring to complete the process by mail will find a printable registration form available on the alumni Facebook page. Completed forms and payments by check should be sent to PHS Alumni, PO Box 803, Poteau 74953 or emailed to alumni association first vice president Linda Holton at [email protected]

The festivities kick off Aug. 29 at noon with lunch at The Coffee Cup in Poteau, 401 N Broadway St., then continue with volunteers decorating the Donald W. Reynolds Center in preparation for the following night’s dinner and dance.

For those wanting to further catch up with classmates and friends, a Pirate Party is set for 6-9 PM at Shop Dog Brewing Company, 315 Dewey Ave.

On Aug. 30, the reunion kicks into high gear at the Reynolds Center. Attendees are welcome to visit from 4-6 p.m. while signing in and picking up their reunion banquet packets, which include dinner tickets.

The meal will begin at 6 p.m. with a welcome by Mandy Fellman, the Alumni Association President and Class of 1980 member.

Dinner, catered by Eli French, will be served at 6:15 p.m., including a baked potato bar, choice of chicken or steak, salad, rolls, dessert plus beverages, and a cash bar will be available.

Poteau musician Billy Ray Hoffman and his band, Sierra Bravo, will perform from 7 to 10 p.m., to liven up the dance floor.

Other activities are on tap, too. At 7:30 p.m., there will be Story Teller sessions by various alumni to reminisce about the glory days.

At 8:30, the powers of recall will be tested by PHS Trivia Night with questions spanning the decades, tapping memories on a wide variety of pop culture topics and history from hallowed halls.

Finally, door-prize winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m.

The article was written by Bill Scott.

LeFlore County weather forecast for Wednesday is for clear skies and continued hot temperatures for the county and the area.

The high is forecast to be 98 degrees with a low of 72. A heat advisory is in effect from noon through 8 p.m. Heat index value of 106 is expected.

Sunrise was 6:22 a.m. Sunset is 8:27 p.m.

Monday’s high was 97, the hottest recorded temperature so far in 2025, with a low of 72. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 4.06 inches, surpassing July’s average rainfall of 3.10 inches.

Average temperatures for July 23 are a high of 95 and low of 66. Records for the date were a high of 107 in 1974 and a low of 59 in 1984.

Last year on July 23, the high was 88 with a low of 68.

LeFlore County calendar of events for the next week. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you are with a non-profit and want an event publicized, email [email protected].

Wednesday 

Ramona “Jean” Potts graveside service

Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC

Thursday 

Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon

Heavener VFW bingo 6:30 p.m. Highway 59 North 

Sunday

Celebration of life service for Joe Soriano III

Monday

LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.

Tuesday 

STILLWATER – Oklahoma gardeners are feeling the heat now that the temperatures are nearing the triple-digit mark. Couple soaring temperatures with high humidity, and gardeners may need to look for respite in the shade.

As the summer heat intensifies, gardeners must be aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Both can be dangerous and require medical attention, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist.

“Gardeners put in much work to make their gardens look so good, and as summer peaks, the weather will continue to stay warm,” he said. “As gardeners spend more time with garden upkeep, there are things they can do to help protect themselves from the sun.”

Getting gardening work done early in the day or later in the evening will help gardeners avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat helps gardeners cut down on direct sun exposure to the face and neck.

Also, wearing light-colored, light-weight, loose-fitting clothing will help reduce sun exposure.

“It may sound counterproductive, but long pants and sleeves will keep the sun from hitting your arms and legs directly,” Hillock said. “Gardeners will feel cooler than they would in a T-shirt and shorts. Add a pair of UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes.”

Dr. Stacy Chronister, an internal medicine specialist at the OSU Center for Health Sciences, said gardeners are often exposed to extreme heat and humidity.

“When we’re in the heat, our bodies lose much more water quickly. As we sweat, the heat dries the liquid off our bodies and helps us cool off,” she said. “But, the humidity creates a feeling of stickiness, and our bodies don’t dry off. The longer that water stays on us, the harder our body has to work to cool down.”

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common among those who work outdoors. Stomach cramps, headache or lightheadedness are symptoms of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke symptoms include throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, racing heartbeat and elevated body temperature. Seek medical attention immediately, especially if the person loses consciousness.

“If you know you’re going to be outside, start drinking water two or more hours in advance – ideally about 4 cups,” Chronister said. “Consume 1 cup of water for every 15 to 20 minutes you’re outside. Staying hydrated is critical when working in the heat and humidity.”

She said the body will lose electrolytes after about an hour in the sun. At that point, it’s a good idea to consume electrolyte-replacement drinks.

In addition, Chronister advises gardeners to wear sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF. Be sure to apply sunscreen to areas often overlooked, such as the tops of ears or the scalp.  

Hillock stressed the importance of taking frequent breaks if gardening and landscaping tasks take several hours.

“There are many benefits of gardening, and it’s important for gardeners to protect themselves from the summer heat,” he said.

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state's 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.

On July 23, 1967, the first of five days of deadly rioting erupted in Detroit as an early morning police raid on an unlicensed bar resulted in a confrontation with local residents, escalating into violence that spread into other parts of the city; 43 people were ultimately killed.

In 1903, the Ford Motor Company sold its first car, a Model A, for $850.

In 1962, Jackie Robinson became the first Black baseball player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

In 1982, actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, 7-year-old Myca Dinh Le and 6-year-old Renee Shin-Yi Chen, were killed when a helicopter crashed on top of them during filming of a Vietnam War scene for “Twilight Zone: The Movie.”

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush announced his choice of Judge David Souter of New Hampshire to succeed the retiring Justice William J. Brennan on the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1996, at the Atlanta Olympics, Kerri Strug made a heroic final vault despite torn ligaments in her left ankle as the U.S. women gymnasts clinched their first-ever Olympic team gold medal.

In 1997, the search for Andrew Cunanan, the suspected killer of designer Gianni Versace and others, ended as police found his body on a houseboat in Miami Beach, an apparent suicide.

In 1999, Eileen Collins became the first woman to command a U.S. space flight as the space shuttle Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In 2003, Massachusetts’ attorney general issued a report saying clergy members in the Boston Archdiocese had sexually abused at least 789 children over a period of six decades.

In 2011, singer Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her London home from accidental alcohol poisoning.