Area Breaking News
GOVERNOR STITT ACTIVATES OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD AT STATE CAPITOL
Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that out of an abundance of caution he is activating over 75 members of the Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG) to assist local law enforcement should any protests at the State Capitol, or other locations, turn violent. “I support the right for Oklahomans to peacefully demonstrate, but we will not tolerate…
Read MoreCouncil approves city agreement with DHS, sets dates for Pioneer Days
Council approves city agreement with DHS, sets dates for Pioneer Days By Spencer Hicks The Okemah City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a space sharing assistance and use agreement between the Okemah Police Department and the Oklahoma State Department of Human Services, which is closing its Okemah office. The state agency, citing an economic…
Read MoreMillions vote early; polls swamped on election day
Millions vote early; polls swamped on election day By Ken Childers ONL Editor A record-breaking 100 million people voted early and millions more were expected to vote in person Tuesday in one of the most highly contested presidential elections in recent history. At press time, the results of the race between sitting President Donald J.…
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Newly-licensed realtor follows in grandfather’s footsteps By Ken Childers ONL Editor A recent high school graduate is following in his grandfather’s footsteps by venturing into the real estate business. Ty Holt, who graduated from Okemah High School in 2018, recently obtained his real estate license and joined the Carl Alls Real Estate team, the very…
Read MoreWES WATKINS TECHNOLOGY CENTER SUPERINTENDENT CELEBRATES RETIREMENT
WES WATKINS TECHNOLOGY CENTER SUPERINTENDENT CELEBRATES RETIREMENT Wes Watkins Technology Center recently celebrated the retirement of Superintendent Wade Walling recognizing his 45-year career in education. Beginning in 1977 at Ninnekah Public Schools as a construction trades instructor for at-risk students, Walling discovered how rewarding it could be to help people find purpose and passion…
Read MoreTwo plead guilty to federal arson charges
Two plead guilty to federal arson charges By Ken Childers ONL Editor Two local men have entered guilty pleas to federal arson charges after their cases were dismissed in Okfuskee County Court due to a lack of jurisdiction. Mark Kevin Dodson, 51, and 22-year-old Seth Henry Thomas were arrested last fall following an intentionally set…
Read MoreTractor-trailer driver involved in fatal crash charged with manslaughter
Tractor-trailer driver involved in fatal crash charged with manslaughter By Ken Childers ONL Editor Manslaughter charges have been filed against a truck driver who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of a fatal crash that occurred near Okemah in June. Michael LeMay, 28, was killed when his pickup was struck by…
Read MoreRepeat offender pleads guilty to robbing Paden bank
Repeat offender pleads guilty to robbing Paden bank By Ken Childers ONL Editor A Shawnee man has pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing BancFirst in Paden at gunpoint and is headed back to prison after a short-lived freedom. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced last week that 42-year-old…
Read MorePark pavilion to bear namesake of local singer/songwriter
Park pavilion to bear namesake of local singer/songwriter By Ken Childers ONL Editor The City of Okemah has long acknowledged its rich musical history by naming streets and walkways after artists who hail from the area. Three luminaries, Woody Guthrie, John Fullbright and Shawna Russell have had their names immortalized in one or more forms…
Read MoreMan killed, woman injured Monday in separate crashes
Man killed, woman injured Monday in separate crashes By Ken Childers ONL Editor One man was killed and a woman sustained injuries in two separate crashes in Okfuskee County on Monday. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), a Wetumka man, whose identity had not been released by press time, was killed in a single-vehicle…
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