Area News
Update: No explosive found after authorities evacuate Okfuskee County Courthouse, Jail due to phoned-in bomb threat
By Joshua Allen ONL Staff Reporter The Okfuskee County Courthouse and Jail were evacuated sometime after noon Tuesday due to a phoned-in bomb threat, according to Okfuskee County Sheriff Jim Rasmussen. After a search of the buildings on the premises, no bomb was found. Rasmussen said a man called the County Clerk’s office sometime around…
Read MoreMeet the candidates to be decided on the April 2 ballot
The City of Okemah is holding a citywide election Tuesday, April 2 to decide on two City Council seats, Ward 3 and 4, currently held by Councilor Loren Aldridge and Councilor Anthony Landers. Aldridge and Landers both chose to re-file for their current seats, each drawing an opponent, all of which will face off in…
Read MoreAlleged sleepy driver takes down power pole on Woody Guthrie
By Joshua Allen ONL Staff Reporter Okemah Police Department officers were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident Monday evening where a woman driving a small, white car veered off the roadway and struck a power pole head-on, breaking it at its base and laying it across Okemahʼs main thoroughfare during a time of peak traffic. Police…
Read MoreTony Dean Baseball Facility to host open house this weekend
By Joshua Allen ONL Staff Reporter The new facility for baseball players at Okemah Public Schools is nearing its opening date. The school will host an open house for the public to see the Tony Dean Baseball Facility this weekend. “We want to give people an opportunity to come in and see the progress and…
Read MoreWes Watkins Tech Center holds 3rd annual student ‘signing day’
By Joshua Allen ONL Staff Reporter Graduating high school is a milestone most every student involved in public schooling wants to surpass. The choices made before and after that point are crucial to life’s trajectory as many students decide on what colleges are possible or what career path they desire. A choice that seems to…
Read MorePaden Elementary tops county report cards
Okemah High gets F in graduation rate; Weleetka High scores F overall By Joshua Allen ONL Staff Reporter As it goes every year, the State of Oklahoma releases its findings of school districts’ performances in what it calls the “Oklahoma State Report Card.” This marks a time of reflection for the six standalone school districts within…
Read MoreFirst-year band director leads ensemble to State
By Joshua Allen ONL News Leader When Abbigail Goodnight took over as the Pride of Okemah band director, she did so with preparation for big things in mind. After earning a superior rating at the District Concert Band Competition, followed by a superior rating at the Regional Marching Band Competition, the squad of Okemah music…
Read MoreJail finally passes State Fire Marshal inspection
By Joshua Allen ONL News Leader The soon-to-be new Okfuskee County Jail is one more step closer to being taken over by the sheriff’s office, successfully passing an inspection by the State Fire Marshal after a few failed attempts. Okfuskee County Sheriff Jim Rasmussen said this week the final fire inspection was completed last week. …
Read MoreStovall named Okemah Market President for American Exchange Bank
Julie Stovall has been named Okemah Market President at Henryetta based American Exchange Bank. Julie is a lifelong resident of the Okemah Community and resides in Okemah with her husband Jay and their three children Sabrina, Seth, and Sarah. The new branch of American Exchange Bank will be coming to Okemah under Julie’s management. With…
Read MoreDanker hired as City Manager
For the third time in as many months, Dustin Danker’s employment has been the subject of the executive session. During the January 14, 2019 meeting, the agenda item was to hire Danker on as the full-time City Manger. However, the council felt Danker was not quite ready and voted not to hire him by a…
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