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Okemah Lake
We’ve had some cancellations due to the weather forecast for this weekend. If you would like to come out we do have a couple spots in section A available. Feel free to send us a message on Facebook or you can call or text the lake phone at: (918) 623-8200
Okfuskee County OSU Extension - Agriculture
The Okfuskee County OSU Extension Office is now re-opened to the public.
Please adhere to the following guidelines:
*It is best if you call the office before coming in. Feel free to call 918-623-0641.
*Office visitors are seen by appointment or on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Visits will be one person at a time with social distancing maintained within the office and outside the office.
*Face coverings must be worn by staff and clientele, alike.
*To maintain contactless exchanges:
--If dropping off soil or forage samples, please utilize the drop off box at the front door of the Extension Office.
--If dropping off papers/forms, please utilize the drop off box hanging at the side of the Extension Office front door.
We are looking forward to continue serving the citizens of Okfuskee County!
UPDATE:
ONL has obtained the booking photos of the two suspects taken into custody following a high-speed chase and ensuing manhunt in the Cromwell area Monday morning.
The suspects have been identified as Austin Burks, 31, and Jennifer Wilson, 36. Both were taken to the Seminole County Jail and are being held without bond.
(Photos courtesy Seminole County Sheriff’s Office).
WATCH: Seminole Co. Sheriff's Say Suspect In Custody Following Manhunt, High-Speed Pursuit
WATCH: Seminole Co. Sheriff's Say Suspect In Custody Following Manhunt, High-Speed Pursuit
Seminole County Sheriffs Office
UPDATE: THE MALE SUBJECT IS IN CUSTODY
UPDATE: we have had to move closer to Cromwell updated location of Hwy 56 west to NS3670 Between Hwy 99A and EW1160. Stay alert we have had multiple sightings of our suspect in this area.
The Sheriff's office and multiple other agencies are working an active manhunt in the area between Hwy 56 and NS3690 from EW 1170 to EW 1180. We are looking for a white male wearing a black tank top the subject is armed and dangerous. We ask that you please avoid the area as multiple people and vehicles are attempting to locate this subject. If you see anyone matching that description in this area please call 911 and do not attempt to stop him. He has already shot at the police during a pursuit which started in Weatherford. We will update as more information becomes available.
Make suspect is on the loose in the Cromwell area.
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (KFOR) – One person is in custody and another is on the run after a pursuit stretched more than 100 miles across Oklahoma. Officials say early Monday morning, a pursuit ove…
Okfuskee County Courthouse
The Okfuskee County Board of County Commissioners decided to keep the courthouse closed another week, pushing the expected opening date to May 26th. There will be mandated rules and regulations (see attached).
Paden Public School ISD 54-I014
Phone message sent out from Paden Schools:
Parents and Senior Class of 2020. We need to reschedule tonight's senior graduate parade due to the 80% chance of rain and possible hail. It will be rescheduled for next Thursday, May 21st, 7 PM. The seniors will be notified of the change this morning through the Remind app from their sponsor. Since the First Baptist Church has been kind enough to provide the set-up, the sound system and trailer for us, we will be having the parade at 7 on Thursday, then after the parade is complete, the regular scheduled community church service will begin at 8 PM. You are more than welcome to stay for both.
We appreciate your understanding and please stay safe this evening. And once again, congratulations to the Paden Senior Class of 2020. We love you!
OKEMAH OFFICERS RELEASED FROM QUARANTINE
The four Okemah police officers who were quarantined earlier this week after being told they had been exposed to the coronavirus have been released.
Early Tuesday morning, the officers were informed that an individual they came into contact with while working a criminal case had tested positive for COVID-19, but further testing revealed the initial test results were false positive.
According to City Manager Dustin Danker, all four officers were released from quarantine Thursday morning after officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Health called to report that the individual had tested negative.
Rumors that the criminal case was connected to the Sonic Drive-in have proven to be untrue. A spokesperson for Newton Investments, the company that owns the Okemah Sonic, confirmed that the individual in question is a former employee of Sonic and had not worked there since last week. City officials also confirmed that Sonic was not connected to the case.
Butner Public Schools
BUTNER GRADUATION (tentative date and plans)
Butner senior graduation will be held Thursday, June 4th at 6:30 p.m. outside on the East side of the basketball gym. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit together with their family. Also vehicles will be allowed to park near so people can sit in their cars during the ceremony. We will be practicing as much social distancing as possible. Seniors need to email pictures to [email protected] for the slide show.
This will be a shortened ceremony and a copy of the senior slide show will be given to all graduates to enjoy with their families. Seniors need to arrive at the school at 5:30 to receive their cap and gowns.
More details will be provided closer to the graduation date.
BREAKING NEWS
Wes Watkins Technology Center
Okfuskee County/ City of Okemah Emergency Management
Good afternoon, I just want to let everyone know that the City will be testing our Tornado Sirens on Friday May 1st. This test will take place after 12pm during the afternoon hours.
This will be a Complete Test of all our sirens. The test will take 3 minutes to complete from start to finish.
Please don’t be alarmed if you hear the sirens activate for short periods of time following the initial test if we determine that additional testing is needed.
All testing will be completed by 5pm Friday evening.
Okfuskee County/ City of Okemah Emergency Management
Good afternoon, I just want to let everyone know that the City will be testing our Tornado Sirens on Friday May 1st. This test will take place after 12pm during the afternoon hours.
This will be a Complete Test of all our sirens. The test will take 3 minutes to complete from start to finish.
Please don’t be alarmed if you hear the sirens activate for short periods of time following the initial test if we determine that additional testing is needed.
All testing will be completed by 5pm Friday evening.
Okfuskee County/ City of Okemah Emergency Management
Hello, just a reminder: If we have to open the Tornado Shelters this evening we are only opening the Shelter at Oakes Elementary School and the Safe Rooms at the Okemah High School.
Per School Policy you can only bring an animal to the Shelter if it is in a cage.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, everyone will be required to wear a mask and try to stay 6’ between each other or between families. Masks will be provided.
City of Okemah eases coronavirus restrictions
City of Okemah eases coronavirus restrictions By Editor | April 24, 2020 | 0 In a special meeting held Friday afternoon, the Okemah City Council unanimously agreed to amend its civil emergency proclamation to be in line with phase one of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s “Open Up and Recover Safely” program....
The deadline is approaching....send us your costume and window entries! [email protected]
BREAKING NEWS:
In a press conference held Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Kevin Stitt outlined a plan to reopen Oklahoma businesses beginning this Friday.
Starting April 24, hair salons, barber shops and nail salons will be able to reopen by appointment only. Social distancing and sanitation protocols must be adhered to.
On May 1, restaurants, churches, gyms and movie theaters can open back up. Churches will have certain restrictions, including keeping nurseries closed and masks may be recommended.
As of Wednesday, there were no active cases of COVID-19 in Okfuskee County. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, there has been one confirmed case in Paden, but the patient’s status is listed as “recovered.”
Oklahoma Blood Institute will host a neighborhood micro blood drive with Micro Blood Drive-Okemah Community Drive on Tuesday, April 28, from 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM at 108 South Woody Guthrie Street in Okemah.
Healthy donors are urged to give blood, and appointments are strongly encouraged to allow for recommended social distancing.
Blood donation typically takes only about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org. More information on Oklahoma Blood Institute can be found at obi.org.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
The trophies for the window/display and costume contests are in!!! Thank you Monica Dean at The House of Trophies for doing such an awesome job. We love them!
If you want more information about the contests, please call us at 918-623-0123. Deadline to enter is Friday, April 24 at 5 p.m.
Window or display: 1st prize is a trophy and $200 and honorable mention gets a trophy.
Pioneer costume: 1st place gets a trophy and $100, 2nd place gets a trophy and $50, and 3rd gets a trophy and $30. All money includes the matching funds from the Okemah Chamber of Commerce. Thank you so much to the Chamber for the matching funds. Happy Pioneer Days everyone! ✌
UPDATE: PIONEER DAY CONTESTS
Okemah's annual Pioneer Days celebration has been cancelled this year, but in keeping the spirit of the celebration alive, the Okemah News Leader is sponsoring a window decorating contest and a costume contest.
Businesses, whether currently open to customers or not, are encouraged to decorate their windows in a Pioneer Day theme. If your business doesn’t have enough window space, you can put a display in front of your store. Comment below to let us know if you’re participating.
ONL will award $100 to the first place winner and an honorable mention winner will be chosen.
The following prizes will be awarded in the costume contest: First place $50, second place $25 and third place $15. Trophies will also be provided.
The Okemah Chamber of Commerce has agreed to match the prize money, so multiply those numbers by two!
Entries should be emailed to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Judging will take place Saturday, April 25. For more information, call 918-623-0123.
If you would like to promote your business with an ad in next week’s “Pioneer Day” edition, please give us a call at 918-623-0123. Deadline is Monday, April 20 at 5 p.m.
COVID-19 UPDATE
As of Thursday, April 16, there are 2,357 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma. The number of cases in Okfuskee County remains at one.
There are eight additional deaths; three of them occurred in the past 24 hours and the others died between April 9-April 14.
Three in Cleveland County, two males and a female in the 65 and older age group.
Two in Delaware County, both males in the 65 and older age group.
One in Caddo County, a female in the 65 and older age group.
One in Muskogee County, a female in the 65 and older age group.
One in Washington County, a female in the 65 and older age group.
There are 131 total deaths in the state.
Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum
Pack a bag and grab your snacks — we're getting our kicks on Route 66 for today's edition of OHOF @ Home!
Today’s theme is inspired by Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member Woody Guthrie. Hailing from Okemah, OK, Guthrie was an award-winning musician who became well known for his use of American folk to comment on social situations. We know he travelled down Route 66 many times!
Join us for a fun-filled day of activities! We'll be reading 'Riding In My Car,' which was originally a Woody Guthrie song! We'll also be watching the Pixar classic 'Cars,' crafting our own cars out of paper plates, and making our favorite road trip snacks.
Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/3bdmvuT
Okfuskee County/ City of Okemah Emergency Management
PIONEER DAY CONTEST
Okemah's annual Pioneer Days celebration has been cancelled this year, but in keeping the spirit of the celebration alive, the Okemah News Leader is sponsoring a window decorating contest and a costume contest.
Businesses, whether currently open to customers or not, are encouraged to decorate their windows in a Pioneer Day theme. ONL will award $100 to the first place winner and an honorable mention winner will also be chosen. The following prizes will be awarded in the costume contest: First place $50, second place $25 and third place $15.
Entries should be emailed to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Judging will take place Saturday, April 25. For more information, call 918-623-0123.
Okemah will celebrate its 118 birthday on April 22, and the date is usually commemorated with a parade, carnival, street dance and other activites. This year's celebration was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
BREAKING NEWS:
Several Oklahoma lawmakers, including Senator Roger Thompson, have filed a lawsuit against the Board of Equalization. The petition asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court to declare that SB 199 has taken effect and the board must officially meet to declare a revenue failure.
Look for the full story in the next edition of ONL, which will be on newsstands as early as Wednesday afternoon.
Okfuskee County reports first case of COVID-19
Okfuskee County reports first case of COVID-19 By Editor | April 10, 2020 | 0 After weeks of being in the clear, COVID-19 has made its way into Okfuskee County. According to the latest data from the Oklahoma State Health Department, there are now close to 1,800 cases in Oklahoma, including one in Ok...
Jason
Tomorrow. 11:30 AM
As of Thursday, April 9 there are 1,684 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma. There are no cases in Okfuskee County.
There has been an additional death in Sequoyah County, a male older than 65. This brings the number of deaths statewide to 80.
In an effort to reduce the burden on first responders and decrease their risk of exposure to COVID-19, the public is reminded to only call 911 for true medical emergencies such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or being incoherent or having bluish lips or face. Those with other concerns should contact a medical provider.
Families are encouraged to celebrate the upcoming religious holidays and spring festivities virtually, avoiding large gatherings, in order to comply with social distancing guidelines and avoid the spread of COVID-19.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) continues to process the more than 12,000 negative COVID-19 test results received from private labs dating back to February; they are not reflected in this report.
Oklahoma Blood Institute is now collecting convalescent plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19, as a part of an experimental initiative to use the product to treat seriously ill patients. OBI is encouraging potential donors to sign up for Oklahoma's registry at my.bio-linked.org
Here are the latest COVID-19 statistics from the Oklahoma State Dept. of Health:
As of Wednesday, April 8 there are 1,524 confirmed cases. There are no confirmed cases in Okfuskee County. The statewide death toll has reached 79.
Stats for nearby counties
Creek: 47 cases, 2 deaths
Okmulgee: 11 cases
Seminole: 4 cases, 1 death
Pottawatomie: 20 cases, 1 death
Lincoln: 10 cases
COVID-19 ADVISORY FOR APRIL 7
COVID-19 ADVISORY FOR APRIL 7 By Editor | April 7, 2020 | 0 As of this advisory, there are 1,472 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma. No cases have been reported in Okfuskee County. There are an additional 16 deaths: Six in Tulsa County: a male in the 18-35 age group, a female in 50-64....
COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE FOR APRIL 6
COVID-19 SITUATION UPDATE FOR APRIL 6 By Editor | April 6, 2020 | 0 As of this advisory, there are 1,327 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma. There are no confirmed cases in Okfuskee County. Five additional deaths have been reported, bringing the state’s death toll to 51: Two in Greer...
DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING THIS FRIDAY IN OKEMAH (Updated 3:24 p.m.)
Update: There is no charge for the testing and insurance is not required. Appointments are required and to be eligible for the test, a person must be 16 or older and experiencing a fever of 100.4 or higher, or have a cough or shortness of breath or be in contact with a lab-confirmed case within the last 14 days. Clients age 16-17 must have parental/guardian consent.
Drive -thru testing will be available this Friday, April 10 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Okfuskee County Health Department.
Address: 125 North Second, Okemah, OK
Phone: (918) 623-1800
115 W Broadway St
Okemah, OK
74859
Thank you for visiting the Okemah News Leader Page! Kay Thompson, Publisher, Office Manager and Print Specialist Shakara Shepard, Lead Reporter Lynn Thompson, Editor-in-chief The Okemah News Leader publishes on Thursdays. The advertising deadlines are as follows: Display Advertisement- Tuesday at 1 pm Classified Advertisement Wednesday at 10:30 am To submit an editorial, please email [email protected] For questions about your statement, please email [email protected] To submit a news article or press release, please email [email protected] To submit a display ad or legal, please email [email protected] To submit a classified ad, please email [email protected] The Okemah News Leader is proud to offer same day mailing. If you are interested in receiving your paper by mail, please call 918-623-0123 or email [email protected] Thank you for your continued support and patronage!
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BREAKING NEWS
Breaking news update
***Here is Video #5 of the Okemah News Leader's Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up Video Series*** THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR, Stress Releaf Cannabis Co. ONL Staff continues its video series, releasing the now coined "Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up" each Saturday, featuring State Senator and ONL Owner Roger Thompson, providing an overview of each week's leading headlines, as well as a sneak-peak into what is coming in each week's next edition of the Okemah News Leader and a weekly State Capitol update. INTERESTED IN GETTING A VIDEO LIKE THIS FOR YOUR EVENT, BUSINESS or ORGANIZATION? ... it's as little as $250, and that includes blasting it out to our quite large and growing Facebook following -- almost at 3,000 strong, presently. A VIDEO SHOUTOUT, which we are calling "SPOTLIGHT SPONSORSHIPS" or "SPOTLIGHT SHOUTOUTS" or whatever, are as little as $25. That's a great bargain, reasoning the amount of impressions and views (over 4,000 before this one and no telling how many impressions) and their value against a dollar, and you are coming out on top with those 25 dollars getting about 40-50 views per each one, considering there are four videos so far and the average is about a little over 1,000 views (therefore 25 goes into 4,000 160 times, and that divided by four ((the four videos)) and you come out with 40 -- give or take a dozen or twenty views either way. That means for $1, roughly of course (my numbers are just a scratch at it, but I bet it's close), for just $1 dollar, you would be getting almost 50 views. That's worth a buck, multiply that times the other 24 dollars, and it's worth every penny. Anyway, we have bundle packages, too; we will make commercials and use our large reach to help spread the word about your business, event or organization. There is not anywhere else you can pay for advertising that is that effective for that cheap. Talk to Stress Releaf Cannabis Co. about how effective the advertising is -- understanding the difference in product for sale, I un
***Here is Video #4 of the Okemah News Leader's Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up Video Series*** FIRSTLY ----> Thank you to our advertisers that this Video #4 was brought to you by: Stress Releaf Cannabis Co, the City of Okemah, newly-elected Okemah City Councilwoman Kelly Robertson West and Power Ground Tumbling A Non-Profit Organization. Thank you all for your support in the efforts of this newspaper to inform citizrens with truth and sourced content, entertain readers with writing and photography of the happenings of this city and hold acountable government entities by being the watchdogs and the people's loud voice. ****(Please READ all of the following): This video series has been a wonderful thing to be a part of. It's authentic, true, it's real and, most importantly, it's evolving. I, ONL Staff Reporter and quasi-producer of this video seris, Joshua Logan Allen, speaking for myself and granting my opinion is of no authority nor expertise, I love the Okemah News Leader, as I love the Thompsons that own and operate it. Your newspaper, Okemans, is loved by many and read by even more. The paper gets printed thousands of times over each week, only to be dispersed into thousands of hands across our city, county and area. This ONL "Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up" is a way to get in front of even more people, and we encourage you to share it. The goal of these videos is to drive people to the newspaper, but it's grown to be much bigger than that. Roger is such a fantastic orator that my already-wordy, thoroughly detailed style of writing and producing has a hard time limiting or shortening, and on this Video #4, I tried so hard. I kept it concise, succinct. My job is to produce this 'Weekend Wrap-Up' -- what I would say has become an Okemah News Leader weekend news show. I also provide a skeleton for the flow and words -- a script and production notes for Roger that he takes and makes magical every time. And it gets better every time. I guess what I'm saying is, this
***Here is Video #3 of the Okemah News Leader's Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up Video Series*** (Technical difficulties caused a delay, but this one is jammed-packed with news ... and it features our first 'Spotlight Shoutout' Series Sponsor, Stress Releaf Cannabis Co.) The first two episodes - this one making for the third - of the Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up Series garnered well over 3,000 views, with about 1,500 going to each, and those numbers continue to grow. Our 'Spotlight Shoutout' sponsorship ads start as low as $25, and any business or organization that chooses to receive a 'Shoutout' on our series videos will be getting a whole lot of bang for their bucks. In other words, it's a sure-fire way to get your business name, products, promotions or special events out to the public at a great price. There are several different packages that offer video 'Shoutouts,' display ads, a personalized 15-second video for your business and/or all of those combined. Anyone interested should grab their phone and call 918.623.0123 or email [email protected]. The Okemah News Leader is continuing its video series, releasing a "Weekly Weekend Wrap-Up" video each weekend, featuring State Senator and ONL Owner Roger Thompson, providing an overview of each week's leading headlines, as well as a sneak-peak into what is coming in each week's next edition of the Okemah News Leader and a weekly State Capitol update. Click play on the video below to view Video #3 in the ongoing series. (Note: Make sure your video player is in HD Playing Mode, which can be found and changed at the bottom right of the video player.) Thank you for watching and supporting your local, family owned and operated, official and professional newspaper, which daily seeks to keep Okemah and surrounding citizens privy to important information, breaking news and special event coverage, as well as provide a premier place for advertising for businesses and organizations.
***Here is Video #2 of the Okemah News Leader's Weekly Weekend Update Video Series*** The Okemah News Leader is continuing its video series, releasing a "Weekly Weekend Update Video" each Saturday, featuring State Senator and ONL Owner Roger Thompson, providing an overview of each week's leading headlines, as well as a sneak-peak into what is coming in each week's next edition of the Okemah News Leader and a weekly State Capitol update. Click play on the video below to view Video #2 in the ongoing series. (Note: Make sure your video player is in HD Playing Mode, which can be found and changed at the bottom right of the video player.) Thank you for watching and supporting your local, family owned and operated, official and professional newspaper, which daily seeks to keep Okemah and surrounding citizens privy to important information, breaking news and special event coverage, as well as provide a premier place for advertising for businesses and organizations. There will be sponsorship spots available for this ongoing video series (released every Saturday) with special advertising and sponsorship packages to be announced soon. -- ONL Staff
***Okemah News Leader unveils new 'Weekly Weekend Update Video Series ... Video #1 below*** The Okemah News Leader will now be releasing what it is calling its "Weekly Weekend Update Video" every Saturday, featuring State Senator and ONL Owner Roger Thompson providing an overview of each week's leading headlines, as well as a sneak-peak into what is coming in each week's next edition of the Okemah News Leader and a weekly State Capitol update. Click play on the video below to view Video #1 in the ongoing series. (Note: Make sure your video player is in HD Playing Mode, which can be found and changed at the bottom right of the video player.) Thank you for watching and supporting your local, family owned and operated, official and professional newspaper, which daily seeks to keep Okemah and surrounding citizens privy to important information, breaking news and special event coverage, as well as provide a premier place for advertising for businesses and organizations. There will be sponsorship spots available for this ongoing video series (released every Saturday) with special advertising and sponsorship packages to be announced soon. -- ONL Staff
Pride of Okemah Marching Band preview.
Chinook dumping water on fire east of Haydonville in Okmulgee County.
Fight song! Pride of Okemah Marching Band.
Check out the Recap of Arlo Guthrie at the Historic Crystal Theatre on Wednesday, July 14th. Also on YouTube and OkemahNewsLeader.com
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