Towards the end of their show-stopping, headlining performance Thursday at the Pastures of Plenty during WoodyFest, Turnpike Troubadours lead singer Evan Felker made a special call out to two county commissioners and his father.  Okemah being the hometown of the popular singer/songwriter, it was no surprise, but it was heartfelt.  Felker said their hit song,…

A longtime soldier and Okemah resident, Ronn Gott, was recently picked by members of the American Legion to serve as the organization’s Vice Commander for the state of Oklahoma.  Gott said he’s proud of earning the position, which is decided on by members — about 17,000 currently in the American Legion — at conventions by…

Joel Rafael took to the Pastures of Plenty stage for the 21st consecutive year — playing every year since the inception of WoodyFest in 1998. He opened for headliner Jason Mraz Friday, while iconic singer/songwriter, Ellis Paul, opened up for Rafael. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Photos by Josh Allen, ONL Staff Reporter

The Turnpike Troubadours did what they do best Thursday night, bringing thousands out for their headline performance of the first night of WoodyFest’s Pastures of Plenty concerts with their raw, Oklahoma sound and energetic live performance. Friday night will see Jason Mraz headline and Saturday will be Okemah’s own, John Fullbright. Many other shows and…

The 2018 WoodyFest, marking the 21st year for the event, is filling up vacancies at both the WoodyFest camp grounds and the Okemah Days Inn. According to Days Inn management, the hotel is completely booked after Wednesday, with every room full in anticipation of the festival. Headliners include Jason Mraz, John Fullbright and the Turnpike…

*Make sure and pick up Thursday’s edition of the Okemah News Leader for the full story and interview with Joel Rafael about his 21 years of performing at Okemah’s WoodyFest.* By Josh Allen, ONL Staff Reporter In what has become a tradition, Joel Rafael will open the musical festivities at this years WoodyFest, marking his…

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued this statement after signing emergency rules adopted by the Oklahoma State Board of Health, which establish a framework for patients, physicians, caretakers, and business owners interested in medical marijuana: “These rules are the best place to start in developing a proper regulatory framework for medical marijuana, with…