When it comes to gas prices, it is hard to know who to believe these days.

On July 5, an Ocala, Fla., news headline read, “Gas Prices Expected to Continue Falling.”

The reason given was the U.S. Department of Energy is set to release 30 million barrels of oil from the national reserves. Yay!

To the Editor:

Regarding Priscilla Colley’s recent article on gay marriage, I felt compelled to write.

Your reasoning is absurd. If there is such a thing as right and wrong, then, of course, it makes sense for the convictions we possess of what constitutes right or wrong to enter into our worldview.

To the Editor:

It has been announced in the press that [Casey] Anthony, along with various family members of, have been negotiating deals for multi-millions for books, films, interviews, and [more] in reference to the trial.

I suppose some people feel that being — as the reporter for the Pioneer stated — “ostracized” comes at a very nice price.

The leisure industry is one where few within it agree on a unified definition.

Most commonly, though, we think of our leisure as time away from work or other obligations.

Leisure is a time where we are free to choose activities.

Very often during our leisure time, we engage in recreational behaviors like basketball, gardening, or even whitewater rafting!

What many students, and parents, don’t realize is that the leisure and recreation field is a large industry.

It is interesting that in the Casey Anthony case the jury found her not guilty. She’s been given a “Get out of jail free” card. Or, has she? In reality, she hasn’t gotten out of punishment at all.

In prison she would have been locked up and possibly hurt by other inmates because of the crime of which she was accused. That would have been similar to sending a kid to sit in the corner at the front of the class.

To the Editor:

I am writing you in regards to an idea for a column.

So many of your students are new, young adults.

All of us move out for the first time at least once in our lives and, unfortunately, do not know what rights or responsibilities we have.

The Pioneer is running a scavenger hunt for OCCC students through the summer semester.

The first clues ran in the June 24 issue and can be found on the classifieds page.

The last clues will run in the July 22 issue, for a total of five locations here on campus.

As of Aug. 1 of this year, OCCC will be a tobacco-free campus. There are a variety of issues concerning this — not the least of which is the fact that the college is trying to dictate our choices.

Yes, there are valid reasons for the ban. But, is the ban too far reaching?

The smoking ban will extend to individuals smoking in their private vehicles while on campus, with fines that must be paid downtown as a penalty.

To the Editor:

Labor Day weekend will be here soon and with it, Arts Festival Oklahoma 2011.

Every year, a dedicated group of volunteers help to coordinate and manage various areas of the Festival. While all the committees for AFO 2011 have someone at the helm, a few have asked for additional co-chairs.

Butterflies appear to be among the most fragile and delicate creatures on earth.

Yet, some species are strong enough to migrate thousands of miles each year to find warmer climates.

The life cycle of a butterfly is also interesting.