In the uncertain times we are currently experiencing in healthcare, it can be very overwhelming to try to keep up with the ever-changing recommendations for health prevention. The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way healthcare providers are caring for patients by reducing the number of routine and preventative care visits to help focus our resources on the sick and acute care needs of our community. Also, many patients are fearful to go to healthcare facilities to get routine tests done right now out of worry they will be at a higher risk of becoming in contact with the virus. These changes in routine care have many health experts concerned there will be long term consequences due to the delay in care of many preventative screenings. This is estimated to lead to thousands of undiagnosed cancers that could have been treated earlier. Also, patients who defer management of their chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, could face harmful outcomes later down the road if these conditions are not managed correctly and efficiently.

Elected officials across the country will join communities in celebrating National Health Center Week 2020 from August 9th through 15th. Their visits and messages to Community Health Centers will demonstrate that not only is it possible to move beyond the partisan divide over health care, but to support and agree on a program vital to our communities.

The NFL is hanging on to all hope that the 2020 NFL season will be able to kick off on time, even though the season is smack dab in the middle of a pandemic. The league has begun the 2020 training camp on schedule. However, there are many new protocols that have been put into place to ensure players and staff’s safety.

Cinthya Arenas’ mind started racing after she opened her mail last month. Just under the “In the District Court of Kay County” header, there was her name in all caps followed by the words “petition for money due on account.” As she continued reading, the 24-year-old Ponca City resident began to suffer something she could only describe as “a panic attack” when it became clear what was happening: AllianceHealth Ponca City was suing her for $3,483.25 — plus $217 in interest — for treatment at the hospital in April 2019.

Assault: Justin Brown, a 30-year-old male from Kingston was arrested on August 1 for Domestic Abuse/Assault and Battery. An online search showed priors for Physical Control of a Vehicle While Under the Influence, TOC, DUI and Domestic Abuse/Assault and Battery.

PONCA CITY — Fiftyone days after COVID-19 put him in the hospital, Geoffrey Cowan returned home to continue the hard work of regaining what he lost to the disease. His physical therapist told him it could take up to a year to recover the muscle mass, strength and stamina he suffered from being sedated and on a ventilator for a month.

The Madill Public School system announced today, July 30, 2020, that the starting date for the 2020/2021 school year has been pushed back a week. The school posted on Facebook announcing the delay first. The original date for the first day was scheduled for August 13.