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Ward honored as City’s Citizen of the Year
A: Main, News
December 19, 2024
Ward honored as City’s Citizen of the Year
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER,

Checotah PD surprised Sheila Ward with a City’s Citizen of the Year Award for her fast action that saved the life of a 14-year-old kidnapped from Texas.

On July 11, in the early morning hours, Checotah Chief of Police Darren Glover and Lieutenant Marvin Harrell responded to an urgent call by the manager of Checotah Stop, Sheila Ward, regarding an alleged kidnapping.

Ward, who had opened the store that morning, was able to help a very scared little girl when her abductor stopped to get gas and let the minor go to the restroom.

While the man pumped the gas the minor pleaded to Ward for help.

Ward quickly made the decision to call the police department directly and put her phone on speaker so the girl could tell officers that she had been kidnapped and needed help.

“We only had a few minutes so I knew we had to act fast. I just said I needed an officer and then I had her tell them what was going on. It all happened so fast, I honestly didn’t have time to think, just react.”

Because of Ward’s quick decisions, the Checotah PD was able to confront the man without incident and pull the girl to safety.

“After the police had him and she was safe, I couldn’t stop crying. I knew I had saved her life. You just replay every moment over and over in your head. I’m just so thankful to the Checotah Police Department for responding so fast too.”

According to the police report, 27-year-old Marco Almanza from Collins, TX, was booked for rape and kidnapping the 14-year-old juvenile from her home in McKinney, TX and then driving her across state lines.

Police stated the juvenile had met Almanza through TikTok and when she went outside her home to meet him, he threatened to harm her family and she was forced to get into the vehicle with him.

“Due to Sheila Ward’s fast thinking and response this young lady made it back home alive,” Glover said.

Amount of angels on trees up in the area
A: Main, News...
Amount of angels on trees up in the area
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
December 19, 2024
Santa and his elves definitely had a lot more angels hanging on Angel Trees this year, from 200 young angels (students from Checotah Schools) to 64 golden angels (Checotah Nursing Center residents and...
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A: Main, News...
Opponents of electricity corridor get early Christmas gift
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
December 19, 2024
Feds abandon plan Hays/Turner meet with TransAlta The plan to create a 645mile long, 18-mile-wide swath of land across Oklahoma from the Panhandle to Arkansas came to a screeching halt on Friday, Dec....
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A: Main, News...
When Christmas Isn’t So Merry
December 19, 2024
A Blue Christmas Service Dec. 24 at noon at Checotah First United Methodist Church For anyone who is grieving, hurting or just tired this Christmas Join us for a service were all feelings, merry or bl...
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16th Annual Feeding All Souls continues this Christmas
A: Main, News...
16th Annual Feeding All Souls continues this Christmas
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
December 19, 2024
The 16th Annual Feeding All Souls Christmas Dinner will be on Wednesday, Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. 2 p.m.(or until the food runs out). On Christmas Day any soul that needs to be fed can come to the Multi-P...
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Third-generation nurse wins Nurse of the Year
A: Main, News...
Third-generation nurse wins Nurse of the Year
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
December 19, 2024
When the March of Dimes (OK) announced their 2024 Nurse of the Year Awards Finalists, it didn’t shock Mark and Lisa Watson that their daughter, Emily Watson, an RN and House Supervisor at Bethany Chil...
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News
Swift Tribute New Year’s Eve
December 19, 2024
Legacy on Main Street, 224 N. Main, will present Red, a Taylor Swift Tribute on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Admission is $55. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
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Youth Christmas Party
December 19, 2024
Eufaula VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a Youth Christmas Party Saturday, Dec. 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There will be games, refreshments and gifts and a visit by Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. For more ...
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News
Flag exchange Jan. 25
December 19, 2024
VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will hold a flag exchange on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Call 918-689-5577 for information about the Auxiliary collecting and disposing torn and tattered flags and ...
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I don’t have to, Igetto
commentary, Opinion...
I don’t have to, Igetto
December 19, 2024
Wow! I can’t believe another year is wrapping up. The saying “How quickly time flies when you’re having fun” should say “How quickly time flies whether you’re having fun or just trying to survive the ...
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commentary, Opinion...
Advocates look forward to working with new leadership at state capitol
By JOE DORMAN OICACEO 
December 19, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY - The deadline for submission of ideas for the upcoming legislative session was Friday, December 6, and lawmakers were turning in their concepts for bills up to the final moment. The Okl...
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Letters
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Letters
By Thank you from Junior Class Prom Committee 
December 19, 2024
The Checotah High School Junior Class Prom Committee would like to say “THANK YOU” to everyone who supported their Bingo Night 2024. Thanks to those who attended the event and a special thanks to the ...
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