Area Breaking News

Joshua Green, a suspect in a double homicide and arson early Wednesday morning in Clearview, is now in custody. According to Okfuskee County Sheriff Jim Rasmussen, Green was apprehended in the Clearview area. Authorities say the victims were a 57-year-old female and a 22-year-old male, but their names have not yet been released.

Police show up in force at council meeting By Ken Childers ONL Editor There was a heavy police presence at Monday evening’s regular meeting of the Okemah City Council. The entire force turned out for the meeting, but there was no trouble brewing inside the walls of city hall. Police Chief Ed “Skeeter” Smith simply…

Courtroom confession: Spain pleads guilty to murder By Ken Childers ONL Editor “I shot Teresa Smith,” Anthony Roy Spain confessed to Okfuskee County District Judge Lawrence Parish before breaking down into tears. Having previously waived his right to a jury trial, Spain was in Parish’s courtroom on Tuesday, Jan. 23 for a bench trial. Spain,…

Lt. governor talks economic development, tourism By Ken Childers ONL Editor The banquet room of the Hen House was filled to near capacity Tuesday, as dozens of people braved the cold, damp weather to attend a special Okemah Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell was the featured speaker for the event, who spoke…

Communities honor life, legacy of civil rights leader By Ken Childers ONL Editor This week, two small communities in Okfuskee County celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man who brought the Civil Rights Movement to the forefront of American history. Events honoring Dr. King were held Monday, Jan. 20…

Lt. Governor to speak at chamber luncheon By Ken Childers ONL Editor Two officials with the state of Oklahoma are scheduled to speak at a special luncheon in Okemah later this month. The Okemah Chamber of Commerce has announced that Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell will be the guest speaker at its monthly meeting on Tuesday,…

Gun found in third-grader’s backpack By Ken Childers ONL Editor A gun was found in a third grade student’s backpack at Oakes Elementary Tuesday, and school officials say it was immediately taken away from the student. At around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Okemah School District delivered a phone message about the incident to parents/guardians of…

Ribbon cut on new Okfuskee County Jail By Ken Childers ONL Editor More than a dozen state and local officials braved the cold, damp weather Monday morning for ribbon cutting ceremonies at the new Okfuskee County Jail. After opening remarks from State Senator Roger Thompson, a ribbon that had been stretched across the entrance to…

State Election Board Releases Official 2020 Voter Registration Statistics (Oklahoma City) – Official Oklahoma voter registration statistics released yesterday show 2,090,107 Oklahomans are registered to vote heading into the 2020 election cycle. Oklahoma’s official voter registration statistics are counted every year on January 15. “These statistics continue a decades-long trend of growth for Independents and…