OKDHS to close Okemah office
In an effort to reduce its budget by four percent, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) is closing nearly three dozen offices across the state, including its Okemah location. Facing reduced revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2021, OKDHS is rolling out a “service-first” model that entails the elimination of 35 county offices and moving…
Read MoreNo campsites available, but you can still enjoy Okemah Lake this weekend
No campsites available, but you can still enjoy Okemah Lake this weekend By Ken Childers ONL Editor Memorial Day weekend often marks the first big exodus to the outdoors, and judging by the campsite reservations taken by Okemah Lake Ranger Bryan Prince, this year is no exception. All RV campsites at the lake are booked…
Read MoreHonoring America’s fallen veterans
Honoring America’s fallen veterans By Bill Oxford National Commander, American Legion Every crisis has new heroes. During the 9/11 attacks, they were the first responders running into burning and crumbling buildings as others ran out. Now, during the Coronavirus pandemic, the most visible heroes are the health care professionals, who are saving others and risking…
Read MoreEPA injects $300K into Okemah ‘Brownfield’ program
EPA injects $300K into Okemah ‘Brownfield’ program By Ken Childers ONL Editor A vision to redevelop historic gas station properties, or “Brownfield Sites,” along the Highway 62 corridor in Okemah is one step closer to becoming reality, thanks to a federal grant that has been awarded to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Last week, the…
Read MoreHigh-speed pursuit ends near Cromwell Man who sparked manhunt was recently released from prison
High-speed pursuit ends near Cromwell Man who sparked manhunt was recently released from prison By Ken Childers ONL Editor A newly-released prison inmate was one of two suspects apprehended near Cromwell Monday morning after leading authorities on a pursuit that began in southwestern Oklahoma. Austin Chace Burks, 31, and Jennifer Nicole Wilson, 36, were taken…
Read MoreCourthouse expected to reopen Tuesday, district court to remain closed
Courthouse expected to reopen Tuesday, district court to remain closed By Ken Childers ONL Editor The Okfuskee County Courthouse, which has been closed to the public since March 19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to reopen on Tuesday, May 26. As reported in the May 14 edition of ONL, Sheriff Jim Rasmussen last…
Read MoreCity to get tough on code violations
City to get tough on code violations By Ken Childers ONL Editor The City of Okemah is cracking down on code violations by hitting offenders in the pocketbook. In Monday evening’s regular meeting of the Okemah City Council, a resolution setting a fee schedule for certain violations of the city code was adopted by a…
Read MoreMason HS principal retiring after 35 years
Mason HS principal retiring after 35 years By Ken Childers ONL Editor He has been a fixture at Mason High School for more than three decades, and on June 11, he is going to leave the only school system he has ever been a part of professionally. “It will be tough to walk out that…
Read MoreBoley Rodeo & BBQ Festival falls prey to coronavirus
Boley Rodeo & BBQ Festival falls prey to coronavirus By Ken Childers ONL Editor The list of large-scale events in Okfuskee County cancelled because of the COVID-19 crisis continues to grow. Okemah’s Pioneer Days Celebration, held annually in April, was called off this year, and the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, a mid-July tradition since 1998,…
Read MoreGas pump victim of hit-and-run
Gas pump victim of hit-and-run By Ken Childers ONL Editor A convenience store gas pump was taken out in an apparent hit-and-run last week in Okemah. At about 5:18 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, an employee of Fiesta Mart called police to report that a trailer had just knocked over one of the store’s gas…
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