• Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, located in Okmulgee, was listed as one of the best colleges in the U.S. News & World Reports of the 2016 Best Colleges to graduate with the least amount of debt in the West region. “Year after year, OSU Institute of Technology continues to gain national attention and recognition for our quality and quantity of programs available to our students,” said Dr. Bill R. Path.
• The Go-Bob Men of Steel Bull Riding Challenge was set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Bob Arrington Arena in Okmulgee, for its first annual event. The Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Steven Baldridge squared off with the top two bulls and got to pick their rider for a head-to-head duel to see who the real Go-Bob Man of Steel was.
• Illegal dumpings behind Salvation Army causing major “headaches.” Heaped high on top of two very full dumpsters were more than 10 mattresses and two or three discarded sofas along with numerous other items. “We’re gonna turn this around somehow or another, and we’re gonna help them (Salvation Army) out,” City Manager Roger Ballanger stated.
— 25 Years Ago (2000)
• Okmulgee County voters overwhelmingly voted Ernest Arocha as sheriff for four more years. Arocha netted 3,110 votes to Wayne Spears’ 1,494 votes, with Spears trailing Arocha throughout the evening, in the end the victory was clear for Arocha.
• M&J’s Beauty Supply was proud to announce the opening of their second store, right here in Okmulgee (their first location being in Wynne, Ark.). With Larry Warren as the proud owner and operator of the business, he’s assured your needs will be taken care of, carrying a full line of beauty products, including real and synthetic hair. Cutting the ribbon, on Sept. 18, 2000, Okmulgee Chamber Ambassadors welcomed M&J’s Beauty Supply as Okmulgee’s Chambers of Commerce’s newest member.
• Christina Cooper, the 13-year-old daughter of Peggy Fisher and Tommy and Amy Cooper, was named winner of the First Annual Oklahoma Challenge Arts Festival at Tulsa’s River Park. Christina had her art replicated into a stained glass window, receiving her reward from Richard Brohm.
— 50 Years Ago (1975)
• Dairy Queen ran a special for a Mr. Big Burger and a Shake for just a $1.
• Walmart held an opening celebration. Prizes were given away on the grand opening day. A host of officials from the Walmart chain welcomed new shoppers. The store guaranteed to sell quality at discount prices, with their motto being, “We Sell For Less.”
— 100 Years Ago (1925)
• The Okmulgee County Fair opened with good attendance on the first day. At 2:30 p.m., there were horse races, motorcycle races and greyhound races. Historical Pageant Performance of “Our Flag” premiered that night at 7:30 p.m, featuring reserved seats for those that pre-purchased seats at the Chamber of Commerce.
• Records indicated Okmulgee was growing. Based on past telephone records, the number of telephones in Okmulgee once reached a staggering 4,218, the largest in the history of the city at the time. A gain like this was a clear accurate indication of Okmulgee’s bustling growth.
