McIntosh County Democrat

McIntosh County Democrat We provide local news coverage to the readers of McIntosh County. Published every Thursday.

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www.mcintoshdemocrat.com

Proud member of the Cookson Hills Publishers newspaper family.

09/19/2026

61-12 final score.

Sooners steamrolls UTEP 51-0 in season openerThe Oklahoma Sooners opened the 2026 football season in impressive fashion ...
09/19/2026

Sooners steamrolls UTEP 51-0 in season opener

The Oklahoma Sooners opened the 2026 football season in impressive fashion Friday night, dominating UTEP from start to finish in a 51-0 shutout at Ga***rd Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

No. 10 Oklahoma jumped on the Miners early, scoring 21 points in the opening quarter before the defense continued to suffocate UTEP throughout the night.
Quarterback John Mateer made an impressive debut for the Sooners, completing 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. His touchdown passes covered 40, 34 and 48 yards. Checotah receiver Elijah Thomas had one reception for 24-yards for the Sooners.

Full football coverage in the McIntosh County Democrat! Football Frenzy is here which means 4 months of coverage for $15. Subscribe today!

🏈 IT’S GAME DAY! 🏈The 111th McIntosh County Championship is TONIGHT — Eufaula Ironheads vs. Checotah Wildcats! Be sure t...
09/18/2026

🏈 IT’S GAME DAY! 🏈

The 111th McIntosh County Championship is TONIGHT — Eufaula Ironheads vs. Checotah Wildcats!

Be sure to pick up this week’s paper and get your copy of the 2026 Gridiron Guide, your resource for the big game and the season ahead.

🏈 111 years. Two teams. One winner.

We wish both teams a healthy and safe season.

Samantha Brach shared first aid recently with the Homestead Ladies Group from OK at Granite Church. From choking to hear...
09/18/2026

Samantha Brach shared first aid recently with the Homestead Ladies Group from OK at Granite Church. From choking to heart attacks to bites and more, Brach went over what to do in many emergency situations.

Find community events on the McIntosh County Democrat calendar.

For 24 years, a shared love of reading has brought them together, but friendship has kept them turning the pagesFor near...
09/18/2026

For 24 years, a shared love of reading has brought them together, but friendship has kept them turning the pages

For nearly a quarter of a century, the invitation has remained much the same: Come over, bring your thoughts about the book and be ready to eat, laugh and visit.

For the women of the Beta Bookies, it is a tradition 24 years in the making.

The book changes. The hostess changes. The menu changes.

The friendship doesn’t. The story of the Beta Bookies began in 2002, when Wilmatine Griffin gathered a group of women who shared a love of reading and invited them into her home for their first meeting.

Your Community. Your Stories. Every week in the McIntosh County Democrat.

🏈 FOOTBALL FRENZY IS HERE!Friday night lights are back — and we’re ready for another season of hometown football!For a l...
09/18/2026

🏈 FOOTBALL FRENZY IS HERE!

Friday night lights are back — and we’re ready for another season of hometown football!

For a limited time, get 4 months of the McIntosh County Democrat for just $15 with an in-county subscription.

🏈 Complete local sports coverage
📰 Hometown news and stories
📱 Print + digital and digital-only options available

Subscribe today using the link below!

Local teams. Local stories. Your hometown newspaper.

Checotah First United Methodist Church has long been committed to serving the youth and families of the community. In 20...
09/18/2026

Checotah First United Methodist Church has long been committed to serving the youth and families of the community. In 2026, that commitment reached a historic milestone as the church became the charter organization for Troop 642, making it the first registered Family Troop in the Indian Nations Council and opening the door for boys and girls to continue their Scouting journey together right here in Checotah. For 47 years, Troop 642 has helped shape young people through the values of Scouting — building character, leadership, service, and a love for the outdoors.

In January 2026, Troop 642 transferred its charter from the Masonic Lodge to Checotah First United Methodist Church. The transition was more than a change in meeting location — it reflected the church’s desire to invest in local youth by providing a place where every Scout could grow in leadership, character, faith, service, and outdoor adventure. Most importantly, it allowed girls who had completed Cub Scouts to continue their Scouting journey in their hometown instead of traveling to another community to find a Girls Troop.

The transition was made possible through the partnership of Pastor Cindy Robertson Riedel, the congregation of Checotah First United Methodist Church, Kevin Stahlhut, Charter Organization Representative, leaders from the Indian Nations Council, and the dedicated volunteers of Troop 642. Together, they carefully reviewed Scouting America’s youth protection and safety guidelines before the church leadership unanimously voted to welcome the troop and provide it with a permanent home.

Full Story in the McIntosh County Democrat | Print + Digital

Community partners with WISHMore than 150 purses, wallets and other items were collected during this year’s WISH Purse D...
09/17/2026

Community partners with WISH

More than 150 purses, wallets and other items were collected during this year’s WISH Purse Drive, an outpouring of community support that will help individuals and families rebuild their lives after domestic violence and sexual assault.

The VFW Auxiliary Post 8798 hosted the local drive for WISH, or Women In Safe Home, with businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the community contributing donations and serving as collection sites.

“We would like to say a very special thank you to the VBFW Auxiliary Post 8798 for hosting another successful Purse Drive for WISH. Your continued support means so much to WISH and the survivors we serve,” WISH Outreach Advocate Serena Kleveter said.

Local drop-off locations included F.L.E.A.S., Family Dollar, Tulip & Table, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Work Ready Oklahoma, Under One Roof, Sean McAllister-State Farm Insurance and the McIntosh County Courthouse.

Each location helped collect purses and other donated items while spreading the word about WISH and the services available to survivors.

The donations serve a practical purpose, but organizers said they also carry an important message to those receiving them — that people in their community care about what they are going through.

WISH has been serving victims of domestic violence and sexual violence for decades. The organization opened its doors in 1986 and provides advocacy, shelter and other assistance to those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Its shelter operates around the clock.

Full Story in the McIntosh County Democrat | Print + Digital

Ramping up for the 3rd Annual Rett Run & Car ShowBringing awareness to all disabilitiesThe 3rd Annual Elaina Donahue’s R...
09/17/2026

Ramping up for the 3rd Annual Rett Run & Car Show
Bringing awareness to all disabilities

The 3rd Annual Elaina Donahue’s Rett Run & Car Show is set for Saturday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. at the Checotah Sports Complex. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for the 5K & Fun Run. There will also be a basketball tournament, co****le tournament, bounce house, face painting, 50/50 tickets, dunk tank and a silent auction. All the proceeds go to help the family with traveling expenses, doctor visits and care.

Through the event Elaina’s family hopes to bring awareness not only to Rett Syndrome, but any disability that is life-altering. When Jay and Mindy Hayes’ granddaughter Elaina was diagnosed with the disease a few years ago, her family was desperate for answers and determined to bring awareness to their local area.

“We had never heard of Rett Syndrome until Elaina, so we knew others needed to know what signs to watch for as well,” Mindy said.

“Rett Syndrome is a devastating neurological disorder that causes severe physical and mental pain and disability in 350,000 children and adults around the world. It robs its victims of speech, movement, and hand coordination. It also often causes seizures, breathing abnormalities, extreme anxiety, and digestive and cardiac problems.”

Rett’s is caused by a random mutation of a single gene and strikes approximately 1 in 10,000 births, mainly females. However, Rett’s has been proven to be reversible in animals and more research is needed to help the hundreds of thousands of girls who struggle with this disorder.

Full Story in the McIntosh County Democrat | Print + Online

Seven members of the Lake Eufaula VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary attended the State VFW Auxiliary School of Instruction held in...
09/16/2026

Seven members of the Lake Eufaula VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary attended the State VFW Auxiliary School of Instruction held in Tulsa on August 29, 2026. The Auxiliary members who attended were Evelyn Mynhier, President; Vicki Shaw, Secretary; Cheryl Campbell, Treasurer; Linda Burns, Chaplin; Star Caudle, Scholarship Chairperson; Nikki Seiber, Historian; and Ruth Haste, Trustee. Cheryl Campbell presented information on the Hospital Program and Star Caudle presented information on the Scholarship Program.

All programs that the VFW Auxiliary participate in were presented, the programs presented included, Veterans & Family Support, presented by Sandy Bassett; Hospital & VAVS presented by Cheryl Campbel; Buddy Poppy Program presented by Chris Horne; Americanism presented by Pearl Gray; Scholarships presented by Star Caudle; Youth Activities presented by Teresa Price; Membership presented by Nick Plank; Recruiting presented by Deborah Miner Gonzales; Legislative presented by Angie Lacy; VFW National Home presented by Jamie Newton; Historian/Media Relations presented by Iva Spurlock; President’s Special Project presented by Norma Musgrove; All State Secretary/Treasurer presented by Deborah Miner-Gonzales.

Several members of the Lake Eufaula VFW Post 8798 also attended the School of Instruction for the Post. The VFW and the VFW Auxiliary School of Instructions are held on the same day, but in separate locations.

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