News

The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Ponca Politics Committee will be hosting a candidate forum in the City Commission Chamber at City Hall from 12 pm to 1 pm on Friday, Jan. 26.

For many children, having a sleepover is one of the most fun experiences, whether spending the night with a friend or even a lock-in at church. Many younger kids bring their most cherished stuffed animals, furry friends who help make the experience that much more magical. The Northern Oklahoma Youth Services (NOYS) is offering some of those “friends” a sleepover of their own, with many games, activities and learning opportunities that evening.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has set a new record this school year for issuing emergency teaching certifications, a sign the state’s teacher shortage has progressed. The state issued a new all-time high of 4,676 emergency certifications from June through December, representing teaching hires for the 2023-24 school year.

With the cold temperatures that have hit over the past few weeks, its always good to remember the indoor entertainment that Ponca City has to offer. The Ponca City RecPlex is a 24 million dollar 79,000 square foot facility that works year round to offer opportunities to keep active for people of all ages.

SATURDAY, January 20, 2024 Today is the 20th day of 2024 and the 31st day of winter. TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1841, China ceded the island of Hong Kong to the British.

When the temperature becomes extremely cold and snow is in the forecast, church services are subject to modification. This was the case this past Sunday. We never want to place anyone in danger, so caution is always advised when it comes to having worship service. During the spreading of Covid a couple of years ago, services were cancelled for a couple of Sundays to keep people quarantined. I have always tried to record a message on Facebook when this happens. I am not very good at it, but God has given me wonderful reference material to use in formulating a message. Historically speaking, Burbank has had some great Pastors to lead them while communicating the Good News. When you are a rural community and people must travel many miles to attend worship services, alternate planning becomes a reactionary process. I am reminded of the song “People Need the Lord” by Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh. The song was developed during a luncheon that those two gentlemen had while they were in Nashville, Tennessee. They discovered through casual conversation that their waitress was facing a crisis in her life. A personal relationship with Christ was missing. A body of believers (the Church) has an obligation to help people understand that people do need the Lord. My friends, we often fail to observe how many people we meet are needing to know the Lord Jesus Christ in their life. The primary goal a body of believers has is to share the love of Christ in all their activities. Let the world know that there is hope and all is not lost. Why not use these words found in Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” as words of encouragement.

WASHINGTON — The federal judge overseeing the criminal election interference case against Donald Trump limited what prosecutors can do while the case is on hold. But she stopped short of holding Special Counsel Jack Smith in contempt of court and fining him as the former president had urged.