Area News

May tax receipts show uptick in online shopping By Ken Childers ONL Editor Use tax collections were up across Okfuskee County in May, a sign that consumers did more shopping from the comfort of their homes rather than visit brick and mortar stores. Following a trend that began several months ago, the City of Okemah…

Proposal for marijuana growth in city limits tabled by council By Ken Childers ONL Editor A proposal to allow the growth of commercial marijuana within the Okemah City limits has been tabled by the city council. The proposal, which would amend the city’s existing marijuana ordinance, appeared on the agenda of Monday’s regular council meeting.…

Warden at JLCC in Boley dies at age 57 By Ken Childers ONL Editor A longtime employee of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC), who most recently served as warden of the John H. Lilley Correctional Center in Boley, has passed away at the age of 57. Debra Ann Aldridge died Monday, July 6, in…

Stolen bulldozer recovered in McIntosh County By Ken Childers ONL Editor A piece of heavy machinery stolen from a local business in late June was found last week in a small town located about 40 miles from Okemah. On June 29, Been Dozer Service of Okemah reported that a D5N dozer had been stolen from…

County jobless rate up nearly 60 percent in May By Ken Childers ONL Editor The jobless rate in Okfuskee County increased by nearly 60 percent in May, marking the second consecutive month of double-digit rates. According to a report released last week by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the county posted an unemployment rate of…

Knife-wielding man tased by deputy after sheriff threatened By Ken Childers ONL Editor A local man was tased by an Okfuskee County deputy after he allegedly lunged at his brother with a hunting knife then later brandished it at Sheriff Jim Rasmussen. Justin Jon Sanders, 31, was arrested on May 28 and faces charges of…

Commissioners to consider lifting restrictions at courthouse By Ken Childers ONL Editor The Okfuskee County Board of County Commissioners will consider lifting some of the COVID-19 restrictions in place at the county courthouse during its next regular meeting, which is scheduled for June 15. On May 26, the board signed a resolution to reopen the…

Driver falls asleep at wheel, crashes into guardrail on I-40 By Ken Childers ONL Editor An Okemah man was injured in a single-car crash last week when he fell asleep at the wheel while driving on Interstate 40. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 32-year-old Matthew Underwood was westbound in a 1996 Chevrolet when he…

Local teenager charged in tractor theft case By Ken Childers ONL Editor A local teenager was arrested last week and faces multiple felony charges, two of them drug-related, for his alleged role in the theft of a tractor. Matthew Joseph Rice, Jr., 18, has been charged with grand larceny, malicious injury to property, possession of…