DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My neighbor across the hall confronted me yesterday, accusing me of mistreating my dog. She said that “Cookie” whines and barks for hours whenever I am gone, and that I need to take him with me rather than leave him alone in the apartment.

The Oklahoma Senate passed House Bill 4156 by a 39-8 vote and sent it to the Governor on 4/24/24. This anti-immigrant bill creates the crime of “impermissible occupation.” First-time “criminals” would be charged with a misdemeanor and could go to jail for up to a year. A second offense would be a felony with up to two years in prison.

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: We have a contractor coming soon to renovate our kitchen. I plan to keep my cat, “Freya,” out of the way and in a separate room during the day.

Voters approved a $785,000 bond proposition for Rock Creek Schools that will fund security improvements, remodel school buildings plus obtain fixtures and furniture. In the April 2 election, the proposition passed by 63.55 percent, 333 votes, compared to 36.45 percent, 191 votes, opposed, according to election returns released by the Bryan County Election Board.

The Bryan County OSU Extension Service announces their upcoming free parenting education classes. A parenting class geared for parents with infants and toddlers, “Active Parenting First Five Years,” will be offered on Tuesday, April 9 and 16 from 9 a.m.

I hope everyone had a great time with their loved ones during Easter weekend. We are now back at the Capitol, and it’s a busy time.

March 18, the Legislative Showmanship was held at the Oklahoma Youth Expo. Legislators from every corner of the state joined Oklahoma’s future farmers and ranchers for the Oklahoma Youth Expo, the world’s largest junior livestock show. It was an excellent opportunity to meet with the future agriculture industry leaders.

Registration is now open for the 2024 PI-STEM Academy, which will be hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University on June 3-7. The event is free of charge and is open to upcoming 8th and 9th graders who reside in Oklahoma.

Her simple grave marker states only the basics: Ada Minnie Harrison Whitten, May 24, 1888—November 19, 1971. She was always “Grandma” to me.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was recently diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS).