As we usher in the dawn of a new year, its only fit- you read the stories that bind us together and define ting to pause and reflect on the journey that we took our tight-knit community together in 2024. As we leaf through the snapshots of 2024, we are The year unfolded with its own set of challenges proud to have been a part of every moment, and triumphs. Happy New Year from the staff of the McIntosh In the pages of your local newspaper each week, County Democrat.
JANUARY
Ernie Moore retires as EODD Executive Director
Friends, family and coworkers came to wish Ernie Moore a happy retirement this past December. Moore had been the Executive Director with Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) for over 14 years, implementing many grants and improvements to the communities he has served.
While being the Executive Director his responsibilities included developing regional and planning development assistance for economic expansion in a seven-county district which included Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Sequoyah, and Wagoner counties.
Moore’s work career began in June, 1979, when he went to work for the Bethany Fire Department. Later he would become Fire Chief in 1995 and eventually retired from the fire department in November 2001.
County land values outta sight
In the past 10 years the valuation of McIntosh County, as whole, has increased $511,000,000, according to County Assessor Trina Williams. Most of this increase has happened within the last three years and she believes that is largely due to the pandemic and the medical marijuana industry.
“We have people from California, Texas, even Michigan and Minnesota, paying outlandish prices for properties and land here and people who are now able to work from home are buying lake properties and leaving the big cities to move to our area. It has definitely been a sellers market! We had properties valued at $80,000 selling for $300,000. Since the increase in interest rates, we have noticed a decrease in the number of sales and the sales amounts but not even close to what they were three years ago.”
The county is growing by leaps and bounds – more property sales, more population, more sales tax income. But, with increased value of properties, comes an increase in property taxes. Not too many people are fans of paying property taxes, including the assessor, who is fighting to keep those taxes as low as possible.
Harms family still seeking answers
Amanda “Mandi” Harms was laid to rest Wednesday, January 24, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah, but her family says that they won’t rest until they know what really happened to her.
Just before Mandi’s Homegoing Celebration at Lighthouse Christian Center in Eufaula, her family held a press conference in which they stated that after viewing her body they don’t know how foul play could be ruled out and they had more questions for Muskogee Police Department.
Mandi’s husband, Erik Harms, stated that they received little communication from Muskogee PD leading up to the day that Mandi was discovered dead in a backyard over three miles away from her home. In fact, Muskogee PD had only come by that very day and told the family that Amanda had been seen on video and she had made it as far as 4oth and Broadway. Then less than an hour later, they returned to say that she had been found, deceased and they just wanted to let the family know before it was on social media. When the family looked, the Muskogee Police Department had already posted on their social media that she was found deceased and that officers were investigating the scene.
It had been five days since Mandi had walked away from her home in Muskogee in freezing temperatures. Her mother, Shelley Townsend, had filed a missing person’s report the following day after Erik had contacted her to ask if she had heard from Mandi because she hadn’t returned home.
FEBRUARY
Community bids farewell to retiring librarian Beth Sherrill
Checotah bids farewell to longtime librarian Beth Sherrill as she prepares to retire March 1. On Monday, the community and many children, who have been blessed by Sherrill’s 25 years of service, came out to celebrate with her at a well-deserved retirement party. Fittingly the backdrop stated “Oh! The places you’ll go!” which kind of takes on a whole new meaning when retiring.
“For the last 25 years, I have lived at the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library,” Sherrill said. “Now I can plan and enjoy all the places I can go because I’m retired.”
Branch Manager Kenny Matthews stated Beth’s enthusiasm and creativity will be greatly missed by many because for a quarter of a century she has helped multiple generations develop a love for reading. In fact, Sherrill is the face of the library to so many.
“I grew up kind of all over but my family settled in Ft. Smith, AR when I was a teen and I graduated high school there, Sherrill said. “So I still think of Ft. Smith as my hometown. Then I came to Oklahoma to attend OBU and while I was there, I met and married my husband, Bill. Being married to a minister meant moving from time to time and we moved to Checotah in 1998 to serve at First Baptist Church. I had been working at the public library in our previous community and so I began working at the Checotah Public Library in March of 1999.
“When we moved to Muskogee in 2005, I couldn’t imagine working at any other place that I would enjoy more, so I just kept coming to Checotah. At the time I had no idea that I would be here for 25 years, but it has been a great adventure.
It was a day filled with lots of excited children as local libraries in McIntosh County launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program is a nationwide book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.
The reading program is a way to get books into the hands of children, from birth to five years old, to help develop a love for reading early in life.
The Eufaula Memorial Library and the Jim Lucas Checotah Library hosted two launch parties for the local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Thirty-one children were in attendance, some from the Muskogee Creek Nation Headstart at Eufaula and many more showed up at Checotah to sign up for the program.
The children listened to a story read by Librarian Beth Sherrill, who has been working for over 25 years with Checotah’s local children, and will be retiring in March.
Guests also enjoyed punch and cupcakes provided by East Central Electric Co-op and the Checotah Foundation for Academic Excellence, and took their first book home from the Imagination Library.
The Oklahoma Department of Education provided these books. Then volunteers, along with representatives from The East Central Electric Coop and the Checotah Foundation for Academic Excellence, helped set up and distribute the books and snacks for the children.
The McIntosh County Democrat announced their Citizen of the Year at the Checotah Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet on Feb. 15 at the Senior Community Center, along with other Chamber award recipients.
Roxy Moore was pleasantly surprised when she was awarded the Citizen of the Year award by MCD General Manager Shauna Belyeu.
“When we look at nominations each year for the McIntosh County Democrat Citizen of the Year, we look for someone whose life’s mission is helping those in need and who selflessly impacts souls in our community without looking for recognition,” Belyeu said. “This year’s Citizen of the Year definitely meets all the criteria. This lifelong member of Checotah and has never met anyone that she wasn’t willing to help, young or old, rich or poor. That’s why we chose Roxy Moore as our McIntosh County Democrat Citizen of the Year.
Moore not only has worked with the Boy Scouts to revitalize Pack 642 in Checotah, she has also fostered more than 400 children with special needs and adopted five of these children.
For years, Moore has volunteered at the Methodist Mission, working tirelessly to help anyone in need. Whether it is young ladies who need a reasonable prom dress or families who need presents for their children for birthdays or Christmas, she makes sure everyone is taken care of. – including the other volunteers she works with each week.
This past year Moore organized a Silent Auction before Christmas to benefit the Mission’s Food Pantry. She handled all the advertising, obtained donations from area businesses and even provided a table full of goodies for all the shoppers. This fundraiser alone brought in over $2,000 to the mission.
Moore also enjoys helping the special clients with Options, Inc. Each year she provides all the materials needed to make handmade ornaments. She also helps with the food.
During the recent cold stretch of dangerous weather, Moore collected blankets and coats to take to the city’s warming center. She also made sandwiches for anyone who needed to use the facility and put sandwiches, coats, and blankets in the Mission’s free bin for anyone, including the homeless, that she knew would come after dark.
“I’m still spinning over this award,” Moore said.
Stretch limousines began arriving at The Eufaula Community Culture Church at about 5:15 p.m. Friday.
Special guests, dressed to the nines in their finest attire, emerged from the black limos as the high school band and a line of pom pom girls greeted them with all the pomp and circumstance befitting celebrities.
And for this night, the guests were celebrities.
It was their night to shine.
“This is our fifth year of Night to Shine,” Junie McKinney said. “We’re growing every year.”
This year 90 special guests attended the gala event hosted by The Eufaula Community Culture Church, coming from Eufaula, Checotah, Weleetka, Wetumka, McAlester, Stigler and other nearby areas.
More than 180 volunteers made the evening possible.
“That doesn’t include the band and pom pom girls,” McKinney said.
The guests first gathered at the Community Center, where they were pampered and treated like royalty.
Then they stepped into the limousines and were driven a block or two to the church, where they walked a red carpet lined with well-wishers who cheered them on.
After stopping for photographs by the paparazzi, the guests entered the church where they dined and danced the night away – at least until 9 p.m.
At the end of the night each guest was crowned King or Queen of the Prom.
“This is important because this is how they are viewed by God!” McKinney said.
County lodging tax up for a vote on March 5
A chance to help emergency service workers
On Tuesday, March 5, McIntosh County voters will go to the polls to vote for their preference in the Presidential Primary.
County commissioners hope that an important question on the ballot will not be overshadowed by the importance of choosing a presidential candidate.
The question is: shall the county be authorized to levy and assess a county lodging tax of five percent.
The answer to that question could have farreaching ramifications – perhaps more so than who the county chooses for its presidential candidate.
The question will have a direct impact on the cash-strapped county’s income.
Lots of excited faces filled the gymnasium last week as Ms. Dunn’s special education class learned how to interact and operate robots brought in by Oklahoma State University.
The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at OSU, also known as CEAT, is a community of scholars, innovators and leaders who want to help change the world.
CEAT is committed to creating successful careers in engineering and innovation. From their summer camps to teacher programs to engaging with the community, they want to make sure everyone is introduced to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) at an early age to encourage and engage students to have critical thinking, problem solving and creative skills to succeed in this ever-changing world.
Dr. Jovette Dew, Brandy Mays and Mary Tran are the leaders of a STEM program at OSU and they are working diligently to bring it to as many counties in Oklahoma as they can.
“We are actually the OSU CEAT K-12 STEM team and we do summer programs which is how we got to know Ms. Dunn when she attended one of our programs,” Tran said. “Ms. Dunn is also a stellar teacher with the NASA group and when we were at another event she thought it would be a great idea to bring our robots to her students and we agreed. We want everyone to know that robotics is for everybody.
The people of Oklahoma Oil & Natural Gas have awarded Checotah High School teacher Erica Goodson with $5,000 dollars for being recognized as one of the Top Twenty Teachers of 2023-2024.
Goodson was selected out of more than 950 nominations for her outstanding work in the classroom, positive attitude and initiative. She teaches 9th-12th grade Agriculture.
“Mrs. Goodson constantly goes above and beyond for her students,” said Cathy Ross. “She works so hard to ensure she is providing engaging hands-on lessons for her students. Mrs. Goodson utilizes a wide variety of teaching methods to reach all types of learners in her classroom.”
Checotah High School will also receive $5,000 for science and math supplies. Goodson was formally recognized with an on-the-court check presentation at the OSU Women’s basketball game in Stillwater on February 27.
On Friday, April 5, Enterprise Avenue was officially changed to Emmy’s Way in honor of the late Sarah Emmaline Scott Stidham, affectionately called Ms. Emmy by most.
The Katy Depot lawn was full of friends, family and dignitaries, who all came together on a beautiful spring morning for the dedication ceremony.
Checotah Councilman Jay Hayes began the ceremony by telling everyone how he had the privilege of mowing Ms. Emmy’s lawn since he was eight years old and that he was traveling down the road next to the beloved Katy Depot when he got the idea to name the road, Emmy’s Way, because it seemed most fitting with everything she had done to promote Checotah.
A few of Ms. Emmy’s accomplishments included: ∙ First recipient of the McIntosh County Democrat’s Citizen of the Year award in 1986 and was the only recipient to win it once again in 2022 ∙ Board member of Checotah Main Street for eight years, serving as publicity chair for the Checotah Chamber of Commerce and was their Member of the Year in 1996 and 2003 ∙ Founding president and the project’s chairman of the Checotah Landmark Preservation Society, which was instrumental in saving and relocating the local 1890 Katy Railroad depot and placing it on the National Register of Historic Places along with the Methodist Church and the downtown business district ∙ Recipient of the Oklahoma Heritage Association’s Distinguished Service Award for preservation of state and local history ∙ Founding member of the Friends of Honey Springs. In 1987, she was instrumental in organizing and coordinating volunteers for the first Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment under the leadership of the Oklahoma Historical Society, a project that she helped with volunteers for over 35 years ∙ Life Member of the Oklahoma Historical Society since 1985. In 1988, the Oklahoma Historical Society elected Stidham to its board of directors. Within the board, she served on numerous committees and also served on the executive board as treasurer, as vice president and then as president of the board from 2011 to 2014 to Chairman Emeritus.
∙ One of four honorees inducted into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame in Chickasha on April 26, 2019, to which she “I guess if you get old enough they’ll nominate you for just about anything because you’re actually becoming history One by one welldeserved accolades were spoken about Ms. Emmy at the ceremony of a gracious lady who not only knew her history but became part of that very history.
There was a great turnout at the Performing Art Center Open House as Checotah Public School pulled out all the stops to welcome the community to tour their new band facility on April 9. The Performing Arts Center (PAC) is located at 491 W. Paul Carr Drive. It has several rooms, including a band room, flex room and large auditorium, which hosted their 50th Checotah Band Daze perfectly, their recent Open Hose and soon their kindergarten graduation.
At the Open House guests enjoyed a boisterous band performance and were given tours of the facility.
Superintendent Monte Madewell was very pleased with the community’s response and stated: “Your presence truly made the event a success, and it was wonderful to see so much interest and support. We hope you enjoyed the tour, presentation, and the opportunity to meet our teams and fellow supporters. Your engagement and enthusiasm are what keeps our community moving forward. We are excited to see you at our future events at the Performing Arts Center and thank you once again for your support,” Madewell said.
Paws N Claws in Eufaula is in search of volunteers who can help with the never-ending abandonment of animals in McIntosh County, especially in Eufaula around the lake and with their upcoming food giveaway.
“We just need more supporters in whatever capacity they feel comfortable,” Lori Powell-Fells said. “We could use several fosters, or people who might help with fencing or kennel pens. We could also use someone who could manage or help with social media and promotion events, or others who might help with donations or events, and even some who might help with things at the pound upon approval.”
Paws N Claws will be hosting a dog/cat food giveaway on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. until the food runs out.
Checotah High School (CHS) announced their Class of 2024 Valedictorians, Graduate of Distinction and Graduate of Honor this past month. Now the Class of 2024 looks forward to their next chapter in life as they all prepare for their final walk across the stage that is only two weeks away.
Seven seniors will share the spotlight of being the top of their class this year. They are Brooke Creekmore, Marcela Wilmoth, Elisabeth Ortiz, Alexander Moffitt, Austin Shreves, Alexis Duval and Regan Westbrook.
Mrs. Frame’s last graduating kindergarten class
Marshall Elementary School graduated their Kindergarten Class of 2024 on May 15 at the Myrtle Wallace Frost Event Center.
Before the program started a video of what the students did throughout the year was played as parents watched just how much their young child had grown this past year.
After the graduation procession and pledges to the American and Oklahoma flags, the graduates performed sign language to the song, “We Are the World.” They also did a performance of “Don’t Stop Believing.”
Another community treasure is gone after a lifetime of service to Checotah. After a long and fulfilling life, Bob Hogan passed away peacefully at his home in Checotah, on Saturday, June 1. He was 96 years young from all his years of walking and working. And one thing for sure, Bob loved Checotah and the people of Checotah loved him back.
Hogan may have been the son of a sharecropper, growing up during the Great Depression, but he grew to be a man who shared his wisdom and love for community with everyone he met.
Bob always had a strong work ethic and even at 96 years old, he would get up and come into his office. He began working at Sharpe’s Department Store when he was only sixteen years old, and would go on to become the manager of the Holdenville store then vice president of the Checotah store until he finally retired many years later.
A graduate of Checotah High School, Bob served in the US Army. After being discharged, he met and married his wife of 59 years, Irma Lee Dailey.
Bob had a lifelong career in retail, as a “rag peddler” and when he and Irma moved to Holdenville, he became a manager of the Sharpe’s store, a scoutmaster of a local Boy Scout troop, and a father to his son Jim, all in the same year.
Donna (Miller) King along with her husband Robert King, have been chosen as the Checotah High School Significant Alumni for 2024. Both graduates of the Class of 1974, Donna and Robert, never dated while they were in school, even though Robert claims to have had a crush on Donna their freshman year.
“He said he had a crush on me when I was a freshman and I said, ‘Well, I never knew it,’ and he said ‘Well, I never told you,’ “ Donna said as she giggled.
After high school Donna had moved to California from 1975 to 1978 where her dad was living but she returned to Oklahoma and fate would have it that Robert was still interested.
Journal/Democrat General Manager named OPA President
Hometown papers bring home awards Shauna Belyeu, General Manager of the Eufaula Indian Journal and the McIntosh County Democrat, was named president of the Oklahoma Press Association during its annual convention held Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City.
She will serve a oneyear term, replacing out-going president Sheila Gay, publisher of the Woodward News.
Previously, Belyeu was vice president of the OPA Board of Directors.
After a full day of classes, newspapers from across the state gathered at the banquet for the highlight of the evening.
The Eufaula Indian Journal and the McIntosh County Democrat, both a part of the Cookson Hills Publishers’ family of nine community newspapers, took home several top honors at the OPA’s weekend convention.
The Journal and the Democrat took home two first place awards, five second place and four third place.
“I am proud of our hometown papers and our staff. We have a small but powerful group who covers and promotes our great communities. They deserve award recognition weekly for all of their hard work,” Belyeu said.
Sen. Roger Thompson submits resignation effective Nov. 1
Sen. Roger Thompson submitted his resignation from the Oklahoma Legislature Friday.
Thompson (R-Okemah) was first elected in 2014, meaning he had two years left in a third and final term that would have expired in 2026. His resignation will become effective Nov. 1.
“I am grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 8 for the last 10 years,” Thompson wrote in a brief resignation letter addressed to Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-OKC).
As the community geared up to celebrate its independence on July 4th, the City of Checotah hosted the Freedom Fest 5K Run.
71 runners from ages 3 to 77 laced up their running shoes, stretched, and took off on a 78-degree morning.
R ebecca Cannon, 76 was the oldest female to complete the race with a time of 50:47.
“I was a resident of Checotah and recently moved to Muskogee to be near my kids,” Cannon said.
Markus Unger, 77 of Muskogee, set the bar for the oldest runner with a time of 40:39.
The 5K was the product of Checotah Sports Complex Director Chris Brown.
“He did an amazing job working with I:40 Race Service and helping organize the event,” Mayor Daniel Tarkington said.
“We plan on doing it again next year.”
Alleged kidnapper caught in Checotah
Crossed state lines with victim from Texas On Thursday, 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 has worked at Checotah Stop for seven years, had opened the store that morning when a man had come in to prepay for his gas with a young girl.
“They came into the store together but she went straight to the bathroom and he came prepaid for the gas,” Ward said. “After she came out of the bathroom, she found me and asked for help.”
That’s when the young girl told Ward to call the police and Ward made the quick decision to call the police department directly and put her phone on speaker while the man was still pumping gas outside.
“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. That’s when she said she had been kidnapped and needed help.”
A three-inch rainfall late Sunday and early Monday caused extensive damage inside the McIntosh County Courthouse, forcing the facility to close Monday.
Servpro of McAlester began cleaning the courthouse early Monday, vacuuming water that infiltrated the threestory building from top to bottom.
“FloodServ told us they pulled 400 gallons of water out of the courthouse,” said County Clerk Deena Farrow. “We should be open tomorrow (Tuesday, July 23) but fans will be blowing, still drying things out. Most of it is cleaned up though. They will be holding court tomorrow.”
The cost of the damage was not immediately known.
Great turnout for Honey Springs Memorial
On Saturday, July 13, Honey Springs hosted their Annual Memorial Service commemorating the 161th anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs, the largest battle of approximately 107 documented Civil War military engagements throughout Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Dr. Kristen Oertel, the Chair of History at the University of Tulsa, was the guest speaker.
The Checotah Landmark Preservation Society also served sandwiches, chips and homemade peach cobbler as guests toured the facility and shopped at the gift shop for souvenirs.
After the meeting, Lynn was thrown a going-away party by his coworkers and was brought to tears as he thanked everyone and said his goodbyes. He will take his mentor’s place, history teacher Roger Thompson, at Eufaula Public Schools this fall.
A fire that started in the wee hours of the morning a little over a week ago may have destroyed three local businesses but it didn’t destroy Vicky David’s dreams.
“I am so grateful for God’s protection and the local fire department’s help,” Vicky said. “We may have lost our building, but we didn’t lose any lives and we sure haven’t lost our hopes or dreams. Sometimes God tells us ‘Sit yourself down somewhere, let Me take care of this.’ So it’s just time for us to rest in Him and let Him take the wheel.”
According to Fire Chief Greg Carmack, the fire started in the Rent-A –Flick video store and time of dispatch to the scene was eight minutes. However, the fire spread quickly across the old building structure and engulfed the other two businesses, Elite Fitness and Vic’s Mobile Detail, and a truck belonging to the video store tenant.
Friends, family and fans came out to promote the premier of the Legends of Rodeo Past and Present, on Thursday, June 27 at the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery, located at 116 N. Broadway in Checotah. Heartland director Iris Park even dressed up like one of her favorite characters, Mrs. Kitty, as she and board member/city councilman Joey Marion introduced everyone.
Of course it’s no secret to Checotah why the town is so well-known in the rodeo world with names like Roy and Bill Duvall, Tommy Combs, Betty and Jaylie Roper, Ote Berry and more.
However, now locals and visitors from afar can come hear video interviews and see actual rodeo clips of these famous cowboys and cowgirls as they tell stories about the good ol’ days of steer wrestling, hazing and barrel racing.
Thousands were without power and suffered damages due to a severe thunderstorm that crossed Central Oklahoma late in the evening last Tuesday.
Locals in the Pierce area had some severe damage after wind gusts up to 80 mph blasted through, causing roof damage, downed power lines and huge trees to topple.
In the old Pierce area, several families were affected by the storm which laid down multiple huge trees throughout the area. Rhema Ranch lost a lot of its older trees that were literally uprooted by the strong winds.
Several barns, buildings and homes lost parts of their roofs and siding as the winds laid down even the 10 ft. Johnson grass even with the ground.
Marilyn Belyeu, who has lived in the Pierce area since 1972, was devastated to see that an estimated 150-yearold oak tree had come down on top of her old house crashing through her children’s bedrooms and causing irrefutable damage. She had moved from Yukon with her husband Gerald and their children back in the 70s and had made lots of memories in her old home before moving to another home just down the road.
Two people, one from California and one from Checotah, were charged with animal cruelty after numerous animals were found in various stages of starvation and thirst.
One dog was found dead in a trash bag that was covered with flies and maggots, according to investigators.
Warrants were issued on Aug. 8 for the arrest of Morgan Alayne Bateman, 39, of Eufaula, and Cody Donald Smith, of Piru, Calif.
Deputy Seth Morgan and Christian Degraffenreid, in a Probable Cause Affidavit, reported going to rural property south of Checotah on a complaint of animal cruelty.
They talked to the owner of the property, according to the affidavit, but the owner said he has nothing to do with the animals being kept in campers and cattle trailers at the site.
More than a year after he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the motorcycle wreck that caused the death of his girlfriend, Sheryl Bichsel, a federal judge sentenced former Oklahoma legislator and Eufaula City Councilman Dan Kirby to 41 months in federal prison today.
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House was held Friday, August 2 for the new OSU extension office at 311 N. Broadway in Checotah.
The office recently moved to Checotah from Eufaula and according to staff has seen an increase in their dayto- day interest in the county.
SEPTEMBER
Lankford visits Checotah
On Aug. 26, Senator James Lankford visited Checotah, touring Freedom House and met with city leaders to discuss Oklahoma concerns.
Lankford met with Kathy Love, the director of Freedom House which is part of Oklahoma Teen Challenge, and her staff and toured the historic Oddfellow’s ( I.O.O. F) building renovated to become a home for women struggling with addictions.
Several of the ladies from Freedom House gave their testimonies of how coming to Freedom House and being delivered, set free, filled with the Holy Ghost and walking away from their addictions changed their lives for the better. Lankford, being an ordained Southern Baptist minister who was a former president of the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center from 1996 to 2009, stated he understood the power of change in a godly atmosphere and was impressed with the success rate that Freedom House ladies were achieving, which is above the national average. Lankford viewed the new Worship Center still under construction and also got to see Julie Tittjung’s previous picture and story of redemption from writing hot checks in the local newspaper. He found her current job of managing the finances of Freedom House to be quite interesting and definitely a testament of God’s life-changing ability.
He then met with city leaders from Checotah, including Mayor Daniel Tarkington, City Councilmen Mike Key and Tony Fields, Checotah Superintendent Monte Madewell and staff, Eufaula Indian Journal along with McIntosh County Democrat general manager Shauna Belyeu, who is also serving as OPA president, Chamber of Commerce manager Holly Lackey, President of the McIntosh County Cattlemen’s Association Josh Emerson and other town business owners and ministers.
Long-time educator and local political figure Mildred Hemphill-Burkhalter will be inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame, Inc. (OAAE HOF) on Friday, Sept. 27.
The ceremony will take place in the Grand Casino Ballroom in Shawnee beginning at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Burkhalter, who spent 41 years in education before retiring in 2021, is one of 10 inductees for the evening, representing educators across the state of Oklahoma who have served at least five years in education in the state.
On Sept. 25, 2024, Lake Eufaula observed the 60th anniversary of its official opening.
President Lyndon Johnson was flown by helicopter from Muskogee to a site southwest of the dam where he spoke to a crowd of more than 30,000.
“This is a great day for the Sooners. I thank you for letting a Texan have a little slice of it. But Texans and the people of Oklahoma alike share the memories of the days before dams like this remade the earth,” he said.
Before the dam, Mc-Intosh County experienced frequent flooding.
Floodwaters, in 1903, claimed the life of one of the area’s most prominent citizens, Alexander Posey, esteemed journalist.
Floods in 1904, 1921 and in other decades destroyed brides, crops, homes and lives.
Finally, in the 1930s, Congress decided to do something about it.
Three decades before Johnson dedicated the Eufaula dam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers drew up plans for 23 flood-control projects around the nation.
In December 1934, a Eufaula reservoir was included in a plan for future appropriations for development of systems of navigation, waterpower, flood control and irrigation.
Checotah has lost another icon; Myrtle Mae Frost, 94, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Besides being a CHS 4-time All-State Star in basketball, she also played for the professional women’s team, the All-American Red Heads, from 1948-1953.
The Jefferson Highway Association is proud to announce the installation of new signage across Oklahoma, officially marking the historic route through the state. This significant development comes after years of dedicated effort, culminating in the placement of signs that will guide travelers along this historic route.
“The Oklahoma signage has been a long road and has taken much effort with meetings, mapping, planning and trips to the Capitol,” said Delaina Durrett-Stevens, President of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Jefferson Highway Association. “Thanks to funding from the Oklahoma Historical Society, we’re able to get these signs installed along the route. We cannot be more excited to see this come together. This is a true testament to the dedication and perseverance of everyone involved in this project.”
Class of Checotah competes at Eufaula Invitational
The winning streak continues for the Class of Checotah.
Twelve bands competed in the Eufaula Marching Invitational at Paul Bell Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28. They included: Pocola, Stigler, Panama, Bristow, Garber, Sequoyah-Tahlequah, Poteau, Inola, Warner, Checotah, Spiro and Chandler.
The top three bands were: Inola – 1st Place Overall Chandler – 2nd Place Overall and also 1st Place Percussion Checotah – 3rd Place Overall The Class of Checotah also placed: 1st Overall Color Guard 1st Overall Drum Major Big Boy No. 4014 didn’t stop in Eufaula or Checotah but it drew a big crowd in Muskogee on Monday, Oct. 14, when it did stop for about 30 minutes.
It last came through the area on Aug. 12, 2021 and town folk were just as excited back then.
The huge historic engine weighs 67,500 pounds and measures 85 feet long, 11 feet wide and 16 feet high is quite the sight to behold. It is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and was built in 1941 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York.
It was only a few months ago at a special Checotah City Council meeting held back in May, that the council voted to deny the rezoning of the lots where Leonard Hill’s community garden now grows.
Only Councilman Joey Marion voted in favor of the garden and Hill left that meeting disappointed but more determined to make a difference in his community. Now the USDA has named his little garden, one of the People’s Gardens and no one can deny that he is doing just what he said he wanted to do: “grow good food in good soil for good people.”
The People’s Garden originally began in 2009 with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The People’s Garden was named in honor of Abraham Lincoln who created the USDA and called it the “People’s Department.” The People’s Garden today is a garden that connects community, shares experiences and challenges and educates the next generation.
Jefferson Highway-Oklahoma Chapter President Delaina Stevens was elated when she got the news that a convoy of historic military vehicles traveling the Jefferson Highway would make a quick stop in Checotah, on Thursday, Oct. 17. After all it was the old cattle driving route that predates any highway in the area. This part of the old JH is also the route of the Missouri, Kansas, & Texas Railroad (MKT also Katy, or Union Pacific, as it is known today.) Because of this highway, a lot of the towns along the way were established first as railroad stops, in and around 1871 to 1873.
Besides blocking off a portion of downtown Broadway in front of Checotah City Hall, several Checotah locals brought in their antique cars as part of the city’s welcome to the military members.
Checotah literally “pulled out all the stops” to get the historic convoy to do a short stop as the members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association-HA convoyed 2,200 miles on the Jefferson Highway, From Pine to Palm.
Halloween, also known as Hallows Eve, may seem to be the scariest time of the year with all its ghouls, goblins, witches and more, but it truly can’t compare to the terror of domestic violence or hearing the words, “You have breast cancer.” Both are traumatizing in their own perspective and definitely have changed the lives of so many women and men forever.
“I received my first diagnosis of breast cancer over 20 years ago in 2004,” Debbie Wycoff said. “Back then they did a lumpectomy along with chemotherapy and radiation. I also had some lymph nodes removed and I was put on Tamoxifen for five years. However, almost 20 years to the date, I received the devastating news – the cancer was back. So now I’m taking chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and this time I’m having a mastectomy and removing one breast.”
Wycoff’s surgery is scheduled for December.
No doubt breast cancer is serious and scary stuff, but so is domestic abuse or domestic violence.
At a recent Honor Walk for Domestic Survivors, survivors spoke to the group of men and women there in Posey Park in hopes of shedding light on this dark subject.
City makes presentation to the family of the late Cindy Schuering
Mayor Tarkington on behalf of the City of Checotah, Checotah Public Works, Checotah Planning & Zoning Commission and the Checotah Board of Adjustments, presented Grayson Schuering with the Planning & Zoning and Board of Adjustments name plate of his late mother, Cindy Schuering. Ms. Schuering served on both the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustments from 1995 until her passing. The Planning & Zoning and Board of Adjustments wish to express their appreciation for all of Ms. Schuering’s dedication to both. Ms. Schuering will be missed.
Developers of a proposed 121-turbine wind farm in Western McIntosh County may find themselves facing galeforce opposition to their project.
Half a dozen opponents to the wind farm attended a county commissioner meeting Monday morning, Oct. 21, asking commissioners to call for a yearlong moratorium on the project to give folks time to study the plan in greater depth.
The opponents also invited the commissioners to attend a public meeting at the Apostolic Church in Hanna Tuesday night, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m., when they expect 100 or more to be there.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has no control over the turbines that make up the wind farms – that authority lies with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The TransAlta Corporation, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, filed a notice with the FAA on Feb. 28 stating its intent to build the Canadian River Wind Farm and gave notice to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission about its intent on Sept. 9.
The first wind turbine is expected to be 970 feet at the site near Lenna (670 feet above ground level, and 1,640 feet above sea level.
Oklahoma, with about 5,527 turbines, reportedly has the highest number in the country. Kansas has the second highest, with 4,245, and Illinois has 3,719.
NOVEMBER
New Christmas Tree in town
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as lights go up around town, but nothing compares to a new 44-foot Christmas tree with a star tree topper making it a total of 47-ft tall. The City of Checotah purchased the huge tree and it took several city workers to prepare the concrete slab and to put it all together last week. (Staff photo LaDonna Rhodes) Art students paint silhouettes on softball dugout A new mural has gone up at the CHS ballfield and pays tribute to all the area school athletes.
CHS art teacher Elisa Ortiz and her art students keep painting the town through the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation.
Checotah students perform at U.S. Naturalization Ceremony
The Class of Checotah trumpet section and CHS Choir member Arthur Hall had the privilege of going to the Federal Courthouse in Muskogee on Friday, Nov. 15, to be a part of the Naturalization Ceremony where eight individuals swore an oath to become United States citizens.
The Honorable Judge Gerald L. Jackson wel-
See REVIEW, page A7 comed everyone and then the Class of Checotah Trumpet Ensemble performed the National Anthem in the Ceremonial Courtroom at the United States District Court. The ensemble consisted of Alazander Ball, Shayla Waters, Chloe Andrews, Lydia Robinson, Vivian Bone, Grady Cook, along with directors, Alex Warrior and Ashley Hackler.
Justin R. McNutt with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services gave the Introduction of Petitions.
Then the Courtroom Deputy led the Administration of Oath as petitioners stood and repeated after him.
Judge Jackson then directed the Courtroom Deputy to sign the order.
Judge Jackson also did the Recognition of the Daughters of the American Revolution and then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Afterwards CHS senior Arthur Hall sang “America, the Beautiful” followed by Judge Jackson closing remarks.
The Class of Checotah Trumpet Section also performed outside on the front steps of the Courthouse and they were given a tour to learn a little how the government operates within that building.
Locals may have wondered why a man was carrying a cross through downtown Checotah on Nov. 15 and then through Eufaula on Nov. 19, but for those who were brave enough to stop and ask, one man’s journey across America may have stirred other’s faith to take up their cross too.
Originally a Virginia native, Pastor Nick Schindler of Redemption Railroad Ministries has been on a mission to tell others about the love of God that literally put him on the path to rehabilitation, reformation and total restoration.
“I started a little over two years ago training in Oregon with a much smaller cross, but I literally traded my cane for a cross,” Schindler said.
Schindler, who had suffered from two vehicle accidents which injured his pelvis and back, had been going to therapy and was having to learn to walk again. Yet even while he was on pain management God told him to take up his cross and walk the nation. So he started with a 45-pound cross but as he grew in strength he traded the smaller cross for the 75-pound cross he carries today.
DECEMBER
16th Annual Feeding All Souls continues this Christmas
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-Purpose Building at the Checotah Intermediate School located at 201 Owens Ave. and pick up a hot meal to go.
Pastor Samuel Cunningham and the members of his church, Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church, have had one mission for all these years to simply love and feed every soul that crosses their path on Christmas Day.
Feeding All Souls was the vision of Willie and Jacque Hopkins over 16 years ago and it hasn’t changed in all these years. Each year it takes everyone working together to feed around 500 people or more that show up.
Checotah’s “All I Want for Christmas” Parade lights up downtown
The Checotah Chamber of Commerce and the City of Checotah went all out this year lighting up the town, so of course the theme of their holiday-lighted parade on Dec. 2 was “All I Want for Christmas.” This was Checotah’s second annual lighted parade and one of their longest lighted parades to date. It definitely was a cold one with wind chills in the 20’s. However, everyone was wrapped up in blankets as lighted floats, Jeeps, participants and spectators lined the streets an hour before the parade began in anticipation. The Checotah PD and the local Boys Scouts led the parade, along with the Class of Checotah and the Checotah Color Guard and all their Mini Guard members following.
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 and pull the girl to safety.
For a few Christmases now, Marvin Harrell Jr and his wife Lisa have tried to go out of their way to do something kind for someone else no matter how small.
Harrell, who is a lieutenant in the Checotah Police Department, stated that it wasn’t much when they first started. In fact, it was only $35 that they tipped their server but it got them started on putting back a little Christmas cash for a good cause and each year they could do a little more.
“So this year my wife and I started talking about what we should do with our money saved. Again, it wasn’t a whole lot, but it could help some. We had thrown around a few ideas and then we came up with the idea of dressing up in a costume to give our Christmas cash away,” Harrell said.
That’s when the Harrell’s decided that Marvin should dress up as the Grinch and pass out gift cards from Walmart.
When Marvin’s friend, Anthony Robb, heard about the plan, he wanted to also donate to the cause and matched the money saved.
Then the Grinch had an awful-ly good idea. He decided he would pull people over with his police vehicle then pop out as the Grinch and give them a gift card instead of the suspected ticket.
To record it and get the story straight he called the paper lady to ride along and Officer Ryan Goad backed up his shenanigans.
A boring Christmas party was not an option with Options “Tis the Season to be Jolly” so a boring Christmas party was not an option with Options special group who knows how to bring “Joy to the World.” So on Dec. 11, a host of angel volunteers helped with the annual Options Christmas Party in the packed out Methodist Hall. Tables were filled with Christmas crafts of all sorts so Option residents could make their own ornaments to be placed on their Christmas tree with a little help from the volunteers. Some of the ornaments made were: ribbon snow globes, beaded candy canes, lighted snowmen, scratch art and decorative Christmas sweaters. As residents finished their ornaments they hung them on the Christmas tree with some guidance and help from Options Board President Logan Sharpe.
