Pauls Valley’s Lily Rowland waits on a pitch during the Lady Panthers win at Wacker Park Fields Tuesday. News Star photo by Mike Arie

Pauls Valley’s Lily Rowland waits on a pitch during the Lady Panthers win at Wacker Park Fields Tuesday. News Star photo by Mike Arie

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Lady Panthers win home opener

Mike Arie
Friday, August 14, 2026
Elliot Owen and Raegan Close made key contributions for the Pauls Valley Lady Panthers in Tuesday‘s...
Sandra Alexander plans for the new school year Tuesday. She will teach Whitebead School’s new STEM classes. News Star Photo by Jennifer Lindsey

Sandra Alexander plans for the new school year Tuesday. She will teach Whitebead School’s new STEM classes. News Star Photo by Jennifer Lindsey

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Whitebead launches STEM classes

Jennifer Lindsey
Friday, August 14, 2026
Sandra Alexander plans to provide fun, hands-on experiences as she develops a STEM program at...
Crews were still finishing up a new controlled-access entry foyer at the high school last week. The vestibule includes a service window to allow visitors to interact with office staff without needing to enter the building. All four school sites will have similar controlled-access entry areas this year. School Superintendent Brett Knight said the old entry doors (to the right of this photo) will be removed and replaced with solid windows. News Star photo by Suzanne Mackey

Crews were still finishing up a new controlled-access entry foyer at the high school last week. The vestibule includes a service window to allow visitors to interact with office staff without needing to enter the building. All four school sites will have similar controlled-access entry areas this year. School Superintendent Brett Knight said the old entry doors (to the right of this photo) will be removed and replaced with solid windows. News Star photo by Suzanne Mackey

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New entries to welcome PV students this year

Suzanne Mackey
Friday, August 14, 2026
As the new school year gets underway this week, some of Pauls Valley’s school sites will greet...
Kids and adults broke out their water balloons and blasters and area fire departments brought their water rigs for Pauls Valley’s first-ever Water Fight Parade Monday night. The event was a fun way to usher out summer vacation and welcome the new school year. For more photos visit gcnewsstar.com.

Kids and adults broke out their water balloons and blasters and area fire departments brought their water rigs for Pauls Valley’s first-ever Water Fight Parade Monday night. The event was a fun way to usher out summer vacation and welcome the new school year. For more photos visit gcnewsstar.com.

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PV Water Fight Parade a hit

Friday, August 14, 2026

PV Water Fight Parade a hit

News 

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Stratford to start construction on elementary classrooms this fall

Suzanne Mackey
Friday, August 14, 2026
Construction of a nine-classroom building to house grades 3-5 at Stratford Schools is expected to get underway this fall. Stratford Superintendent Michael Blackburn said bids for the project, which will be funded by a $8.82 million bond issue passed by voters last year, were opened in June.

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A warning concerning obedience

Bill Jones
Friday, August 14, 2026
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus gave us a very serious warning. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
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Sports 

The Pride of Lindsay escapes the heat by practicing in the new Leopard Training Facility. The multipurpose building was built with funds from a $11,795,000 bond issue passed in August 2024. While the weight-training area is still incomplete, the turf area is already being utilized. Courtesy Photo

The Pride of Lindsay escapes the heat by practicing in the new Leopard Training Facility. The multipurpose building was built with funds from a $11,795,000 bond issue passed in August 2024. While the weight-training area is still incomplete, the turf area is already being utilized. Courtesy Photo

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School Bond project updates

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
Work on the new Badger gymnasium is progressing, though mostly still behind-the-scenes. Superintendent Sheila Riddle is working with the architect to finalize the plans and hopes to do bidding for the project sometime this winter.
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Opinion 

Arkansas provides Medicaid warning

Arkansas provides Medicaid warning

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Arkansas provides Medicaid warning

Jonathan Small
Friday, August 14, 2026
When the federal Affordable Care Act, better known as “Obamacare,” passed, it offered a much higher federal-state match if states expanded Medicaid welfare programs to include able-bodied, working-age adults.

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Museum closing comes down to financial structure

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
To the editor: It is completely understandable why everyone is upset about losing the Toy Museum. It was a unique part of Pauls Valley, and Kevin clearly poured a lot of passion into it.
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Lifestyle 

Is God blameworthy?

Bill Jones,
Thursday, August 6, 2026
In Genesis 3:1-19, the Bible describes for us the account of Adam and Eve committing the very first sin. After eating the forbidden fruit, God made pronouncements of punishment to Adam, Eve and Satan (who had disguised himself as a serpent).
Changing your approach from cooking for a family to cooking for one or two will take some planning and creativity. (Photo by Adobe Stock Images)

Changing your approach from cooking for a family to cooking for one or two will take some planning and creativity. (Photo by Adobe Stock Images)

Cooking for one or two: strategies for healthy meals and less waste

Trisha Gedon
Thursday, July 23, 2026
STILLWATER, Okla. – Cooking for one or two doesn’t have to mean endless leftovers, oversized portions or wasted food. With some creative planning and a few simple strategies, consumers can prepare healthy, flavorful meals that save time, stretch food dollars and reduce waste.
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Obituaries 

Norma ‘Jeanne’ Rowlett

Norma ‘Jeanne’ Rowlett

Norma ‘Jeanne’ Rowlett

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
Norma “Jeanne” Rowlett passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026. Born on July 16, 1937, Jeanne lived a vibrant and fulfilling life marked by an enduring love for her family, a wide array of interests, and a zest for experiencing all that life had to offer.
Rickey Lavon Southard

Rickey Lavon Southard

Rickey Lavon Southard

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Rickey Lavon Southard, born November 18, 1952, passed away July 26, 2026, at his home in Purcell, Oklahoma with his loving family by his side. Rickey’s life was marked by kindness, dedication and a gentle spirit.
Jural Donovan Mays

Jural Donovan Mays

Jural Donovan Mays

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Jural Donovan Mays, born November 10, 1946, passed away peacefully July 17, 2026. His life, spanning nearly 80 years, was rich with devotion to family, a passion for the great outdoors and a steadfast commitment to service and hard work.
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