• Okmulgee schools proudly named their girl debaters, a moment that reflected the growing place of young women in public speaking and scholarship. The chosen students prepared to represent their schools in upcoming contests, carrying with them both the excitement of competition and the encouragement of their teachers. Their selection added to the community’s pride in education, showing how local youth were stepping forward with confidence and skill during the winter season.

• A wave of Christmas cheer swept over Okmulgee, as 3,500 depositors of the failed Bank of Commerce finally received their much-anticipated checks. Liquidator W. H. Crume, earning high praise for recovering 40 cents on the dollar, distributed a total of $200,000, with $150,000 staying local and the remaining $50,000 spreading across the county. This unexpected ten percent payment, strategically timed just before the holidays, was widely celebrated as the city’s greatest Christmas gift, providing significant relief and stimulating a welcome boost to seasonal trade.

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• The Okmulgee Bulldogs earned a confident conference victory over Broken Arrow, building a strong lead early and holding steady through the final minutes. Their sharp shooting and steady free throws kept the Tigers from closing the gap, while solid rebounding and teamwork carried the night. The win gave the Bulldogs a boost in Green Country Conference play and marked a promising step forward in their season.

• D.D. Lester, Okmulgee County extension director, was honored for ten years of service with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Fellow county agent R.D. Hemphill received recognition for 25 years of work in farm manage- ment. Both were among dozens of staff mem‑bers statewide receiv‑ing length‑of‑service awards, presented with certificates and USDA pins. — 25 Years Ago (2000) • Okmulgee’s school music departments filled the holiday season with concerts and per‑formances across town. The high school band played at Walmart be‑fore hosting the annual “Sounds of Holidays” program at the high school, featuring con‑cert and jazz bands, vo‑cal groups and a community sing‑along. Seasonal treats followed in the cafeteria, while addi‑tional concerts by both high school and mid‑dle school musicians rounded out the week. The series brought fes‑tive music and fellow‑ship, showcasing the talents of local students and inviting the com‑munity to celebrate to‑gether.

• The Okmulgee Bull‑dogs capped the year with a decisive win over Sallisaw, pulling away for a 74-39 vic‑tory. The team con‑trolled the game from the start, showing depth as many players con‑tributed to the scoring. Coach Donny Trammell praised their effort and noted the pride in fin‑ishing 2000 undefeated at 6-0. With momentum and community support behind them, the Bull‑dogs looked ahead to January’s Bristow Invi‑tational, eager to carry their winning spirit into the new year.

— 10 Years Ago (2015) • The District Attor‑ney’s office organized the Fifth Annual Vic‑tims’ Tree at the Okmul‑gee County Courthouse, honoring local lives lost to homicide. Or‑naments bearing each victim’s name decorated the tree, representing sons, daughters, broth‑ers, sisters, mothers and fathers whose lives were taken by violence. Civ‑ic groups, agencies and citizens joined together to support the project, with Walmart donating the tree and bulbs. The display stood as a sym‑bol of community com‑passion, ensuring those lost were remembered and their families sup‑ported.

• Robert Funk, found‑er and CEO of Express Employment Profes‑sionals, spoke at OS‑UIT’s commencement, encouraging more than 240 graduates to pursue their dreams with confi‑dence. He praised their training in skilled and technical fields, noting the strong demand for such careers in Oklaho‑ma and beyond. Funk emphasized the impor‑tance of education in closing the skills gap and celebrated Oklaho‑ma as a place where the American Dream can thrive.