• Okmulgee Rotary Club Secretary Darryl Raley was honored with a five‑year Paul Harris Fellow pin, recognizing his ongoing contributions to Rotary International. The club also held a raffle, awarding a 55‑inch TV to Debbie Suiter and a $50 gift certificate to Sharon and Emanuel Harris.

• Okmulgee 6th grader Jaden Phillips was honored with the 2015 Bob Thomason Award at the Okmulgee Junior Football Association banquet. The award, named for league founder Bob Thomason who helped organize youth football in 1990

• Okmulgee unveiled new bilingual street signs featuring names in both English and the Muscogee language. The ceremony, held at 6th and Muskogee, drew a large crowd as Main Street Director Heather Sumner and city employee Shawn “Maverick” Fritsche presented the signs. The project highlighted community pride and cultural heritage by honoring the Muscogee language in public spaces.

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• The Oklahoma Association for Family and Community Education officially changed its name to Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) during its 65th annual meeting. With over 5,000 members across the state, leaders affirmed that the organization’s focus would remain on education, family life and community service. Okmulgee County clubs received recognition for their contributions, including the Prairie Bell and Osage Hill members, who were honored for 50 years of service. Additionally, the Village HCE Group earned first place for its efforts in helping to secure playground equipment for Morris School. The OHCE committed to continuing its monthly programs dedicated to leadership development, parenting skills and community building.

• Kelly Naumann of Boynton, a former Morris FFA member, achieved the American FFA Degree, the National FFA Organization’s highest honor. This prestigious recognition, which honors leadership and accomplishments in agriculture, is earned by only one in 200 members. At the time, Naumann was studying agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University and was only the second person in his chapter’s 50-year history to receive the award. During the national convention in Louisville, where Naumann was honored, his chapter also earned the Gold Emblem Chapter Award. Members attending the convention also participated in workshops and toured various sites.

• Eighteen Okmulgee High School students were scheduled to participate in the Close Up Program in Washington, D.C. that March. This program provides handson civics education through government seminars, meetings with officials and tours of historical landmarks. To raise money for the trip, the group, sponsored by social studies teacher John Duncan, organized a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Okmulgee Elks Lodge, with additional support from community sponsors. Duncan sought local assistance to guarantee all students could benefit from this exceptional educational opportunity.

— 50 Years Ago (1975)

• Betty Roper, president of the Oklahoma Educational Association (OEA), addressed the Okmulgee Classroom Teachers Association at Attucks School. She highlighted the OEA’s current legislative goals and urged teachers to communicate their opinions to state representatives, stressing the crucial role of local classroom organizations in determining school policies. Following Roper, Dr. Jack Cottrell and John Meadows spoke, publicizing an upcoming workshop in Muskogee. This session would cover important topics such as teacher rights, negotiations, and legislation. A key focus of the meeting was also to explore methods for teachers to remain current on issues and engage state representatives in future discussions.

• Twenty-one Okmulgee High School students visited the University of Oklahoma in Norman for Science Day, accompanied by teachers Richard and Terry Bryant. The Okmulgee group joined about 500 science students from across the state, touring nine university departments, visiting labs and classrooms and speaking with both faculty and students. Additionally, they toured the Stovall Museum of Science and History.

— 100 Years Ago (1925)

• A basketball match between the Dewar Dragons and Preston Pirates was an intensely contested game, culminating in a tie. The close contest was considered the hardest and most evenly fought game played in Dewar during that season, providing the crowd with a tense and memorable conclusion.

• The Okmulgee Kennel Club hosted its inaugural dog show at Douglas Park, attracting “highbrows” from 24 states. Hundreds of citizens attended the event to view 307 canine specimens representing 33 different breeds. Although results were pending, it was noted that Midnight Sun, a German Shepherd owned by the police department, was deemed the most attractive in his class.