Area News
Weleetka School Board to hold elections; all other seats go unopposed
Of the eight school districts and the two career tech districts in Okfuskee county, only one district is having an election. Two individuals filed for both Weleetka Public Schools seats 2 and 4. Running for seat 4 are Bobbie Sue Joslin and Howard Goodnight. Neither currently are holding the position. The election for this seat,…
Read MoreChina Cuisine cuts the ribbon; Okemah Chamber welcomes new member
By JOSHUA ALLEN ONL Staff Reporter The Okemah Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest local business member last week, celebrating the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony and “First Dollar” presentation. China Cuisine, located downtown at 315 West Broadway, opened for business in October and stands as the only restaurant serving food of its kind…
Read MoreTwo Okemah men in two separate cases plead guilty to child sex crimes in federal court
The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced last week that two guilty pleas have been entered in separate child sex crimes cases that both involved Okemah residents. According to a press release sent out by the USAO, 35-year-old Steven James McNinch pleaded guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children, while, in…
Read MoreOkemah ministerial alliance faces possible disbandment, postpones meetings until January 2019
The Okemah Ministerial Alliance could soon disband, though that is not what the group wants, according to member Terry Edminsten. Ediminsten, pastor of Crossroads Cowboy Church, and Dale Trap, pastor of First Assembly of God in Okemah have, as of late, been the only two members to meet each meeting, prompting them to postpone regular…
Read MoreDomestic assault and battery call leads police on lengthy foot chase before apprehending suspect
The Okemah Police Department received a call of a possible fight in an area behind Fiesta Mart on Woody Guthrie Sunday afternoon. It was reported that upon arrival Officers Jay Ashley and Carl Fletcher heard screaming “coming from the are of the fenced dumpster area. The two officers made approach towards the area and saw…
Read MoreSuperintendent search still underway
ONL Staff Report The Okemah School Board met on November 12 with board members Randy Colbert, Jim Bill Copeland, J.C. Haddox and Patti Miller present. Board member Jason Bean was absent. Interim Superintendent Bob Gragg reported that Stephanie Hyder plans to meet with the board in the first or second week of January to review…
Read MoreGovernor Mary Fallin Declares State of Emergency Due to Approaching Storms
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today declared a state of emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties due to severe winter weather predicted for the state. Winter storms, snow, ice, and freezing rain are expected to impact different parts of the state through the weekend. Because the weather event may include dangerous road conditions and…
Read MoreDanker promoted to Assistant Chief
Doug Danker was promoted from Sergeant to Assistant Chief on Tuesday, November 27. Okemah Police Chief Ed “Skeeter” Smith said that Danker is only the fourth officer to hold the rank of assistant chief during his tenure. He had this to say about Danker, “I’m very pleased with Doug and his commitment to the Okemah…
Read MoreNovember 30 to be Luna Burnett Day
By Kay Thompson ONL Publisher Former mayor and long-time resident Luna Burnett passed away on November 2, 2018 after a two year long battle with metastatic lung cancer. Burnett was not only the mayor for fifteen years but also a figure in the community that supported and promoted Okemah whenever she got the chance and…
Read MoreDanker to stay City Manager … for now
By Kay Thompson ONL Publisher During the City Council meeting held on Monday, November 26, the members of the city council had a discussion about the city manager situation. Currently, Dustin Danker is acting as interim city manager. He was hired shortly after Bert Robison was fired in September 2018. Councilman Anthony Landers had requested…
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