Area News
Drinking water deemed safe after oil leak in Okemah Lake; interim city manager says testing will continue to ensure safety of citizens
By Joshua Allen ONL Staff Reporter Okemah’s water has been deemed safe after a ruptured pipe last week resulted in an oil leak into the Okemah Lake, causing concerns of contamination to the city’s water supply for city officials. Interim City Manager Dustin Danker said Friday the Department of Environmental Quality had conducted tests following…
Read MoreRuptured pipeline causes oil to leak into Okemah Lake
By Kay Thompson ONL Publisher For the second time in 18 months, oil has leaked from the direction of Buckeye Creek into Okemah Lake. City officials became aware of the leaking oil on Monday, December 17. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission was called in to take control of the situation. At first they were unable to…
Read MoreMuscogee (Creek) Nation Pleased with Recent U.S. Senate Passage with Amendment of Stigler Act Amendments of 2018
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Stigler Act Amendments of 2018, H.R. 2606, is on its way back to the U.S. House of Representatives for Swift Action consideration, following the U.S. Senate’s Dec. 13 passage of H.R. 2606 with an amendment supported by Oklahoma Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is pleased with…
Read MoreWeleetka 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 MoreOkemah now a Purple Heart City
There’s no greater sacrifice for one’s country than to give of him or herself. On October 22, 2018, the Okemah City Council decided to honor those who were wounded or killed in combat by proclaiming Okemah as a Purple Heart City. The designation is given by the state Military Order of the Purple Heart as…
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 MoreOkemah Boots & Badges Blood Drive! Wednesday, December 19
Okemah first responders and Citizens State Bank of Okemah are looking for citizens to support their efforts through blood donation with Oklahoma Blood Institute. Those who give at the Boots & Badges blood drive on Wednesday, December 19th, will provide blood needed to save local lives, such as those that firefighters and law enforcement officers…
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 More