—

• Okmulgee County continued to receive large amounts of rain, causing flooding through the area.

• First Family Federal Credit Union celebrated the opening of their first ITM in Okemah.

• County high school seniors prepared to take their final walk as they got ready for graduation.

• Okmulgee County honored the men and women of law enforcement at the annual banquet, sponsored by the Elks Lodge.

• Bryan Logan was sworn in as the State Senator for District 8, replacing Roger Thompson.

• The Henryetta Knight Brigade had the honor to march in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.

• The Morris Academic Team made a return to the National Academic Competition in Chicago.

• The Okmulgee Lady Bulldogs Tennis Team received state recognition as Academic Achievers.

• Master’s Touch Hair Salon offered free custom wigs for veterans.

— June

• The community mourned the loss of the Rev. Leman Lewis, owner of the former Black Hospital, now known as Landmark for All Generations.

• The Muscogee Nation held a hearing on the Creek Freedmen Citizenship Case.

• The Muscogee Nation prepared for the annual Creek Festival, which was held the third week of June.

• A new STEM Little Library was officially opened at the Rotary Park across from the Dunbar School.

• A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Okmulgee County Humane Society on E. 5th Street.

• Despite the rain, Okmulgee County residents still participated in Juneteenth activities along with the Beggs Frontier Day fest.

• The Okmulgee community said goodbye to Tim Taylor, who was instrumental in reviving the Okmulgee Public Schools FFA program eight years ago.

• The Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office investigated attempted cattle thefts in the Twin Hills area.

• The Muscogee Nation and the City of Tulsa signed an agreement on criminal jurisdiction.

— July

• An Oklahoma man, Nathan Wolter, faced nine consumer- fraud-related counts (including a felony) in a case stretching across six counties. The breadth of the filings signaled a multi-ju- risdiction investigation and put renewed attention on how consumer fraud complaints are tracked and prosecuted across county lines.

• Following the July 1, 2025, ruling in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission, Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David W. Hill condemned the decision, arguing it departs from long-settled federal law and could carry broad consequences for tribal sovereignty and taxation in Indian Country.

• The Muscogee Nation filed a federal lawsuit alleging Henryetta unlawfully prosecuted tribal citizens for crimes committed within the Muscogee Reservation – framing it as a sovereignty and jurisdiction fight with implications for policing and municipal courts across eastern Oklahoma.

• Local organizers promoted “Dog Days of Summer” as a community event centered on pets, featuring races, vendors, games and family activities, hosted at VFW Post 1189, reinforcing the VFW’s role as a gathering hub beyond veteran-focused programming.

• Okmulgee prepared for its Purple Heart City designation – an honor tied to recognition and support of Purple Heart recipients and their families. The planned designation served as both a civic statement and a public reminder of local veterans’ sacrifice.

• A national/regional storyline with Oklahoma implications developed around proposed cuts to NOAA-related severe weather capacity – raising concerns because Oklahoma’s tornado risk makes forecasting and research infrastructure unusually high-stakes.

• OSBI led an active homicide investigation after a deadly shooting in the early morning hours of July 12. The case quickly became a major public-safety focus, with residents watching for developments as multiple agencies coordinated the investigation.

• The Okmulgee Public Schools board race tightened its timeline: candidate filing for the unexpired Office 4 term was set for July 28 through July 30, pushing interested community members into a short decision window.

• Investigators announced three arrests connected to the July 12 killing, reflecting a rapid escalation from “active investigation” to multi-agency enforcement action. The arrests also signaled investigators believed they had enough evidence to move into prosecutorial territory while the broader case continued.

• Okmulgee Municipal Authority received approval for a $10,760,000 Financial Assistance Program loan through OWRB to improve water and wastewater infrastructure serving multiple communities and systems in the county. The release noted chronic line-break issues and projected customer savings compared with traditional financing.

— August

• Henryetta kicked off Labor Day season with the 6th Annual Jared Been Memorial Tournament and the Oklahoma Beard Lovers Beard Contest, both part of the broader First Family Smokin’ Hot Car Show festivities. Organizers highlighted the events’ role in boosting tourism and reinforcing smalltown traditions.

• After a strong debut the previous year, organizers TJ and Amber Mordecai announced the return of the Oklahoma Beard Lovers Beard Contest with the addition of a new “Mature” category, signaling growing interest and participation in the event.

• Several Henryetta Public Schools coaches were recognized by the Oklahoma Coaches Association during its annual summer clinic, while the district also welcomed new athletic staff, including a veteran girls basketball coach with more than 500 career wins.

• Okmulgee Main Street reported its 2025 Big Brain Trivia Night raised over $12,000 at OSUIT’s State Room, with proceeds earmarked for downtown revitalization projects and community programming.

• The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners approved use-tax funding for road repairs and courthouse remodeling while receiving updates on opioid abatement efforts and future audit planning. • Stillwater-based MediFlight of Oklahoma and its regional bases, including Tulsa Life Flight in Okmulgee, announced the integration of automated CPR devices across their helicopter fleets to enhance patient outcomes during in-flight emergencies.

• Petitioners launched signature collection efforts for State Question 837, which would place recreational marijuana legalization before Oklahoma voters. Organizers were given until early November to meet ballot requirements.

• Data from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission showed jobless rates decreased across most Oklahoma counties during June, reflecting modest improvements in local employment conditions.

• Authorities resumed search efforts for a missing Okmulgee County woman after weather delays, issuing a Silver Alert due to health concerns and coordinating efforts among multiple agencies.

• Community leaders announced preparations for the 70th Annual Roy LeBlanc Okmulgee Invitational Rodeo, scheduled Aug. 8-9 at the Bob Arrington Rodeo Arena, marking seven decades of rodeo history in the city.

• State education officials opened a public comment window on proposed revisions to Oklahoma’s A–F school grading system, drawing concern from lawmakers over potential impacts on accountability and transparency.

• The Tulsa Police Department and the Beggs community mourned the death of Detective John Brown, a Beggs native whose 35-year law-enforcement career left a lasting mark on victims, colleagues and the communities he served.

• Structural deficiencies at the historic Okmulgee High School building prompted an emergency relocation of students to the former Eastside Elementary (C.A.A.T.) campus as classes began.

• Residents gathered for organized prayer walks aimed at supporting students, addressing community violence and fostering unity as the school year got underway.

• Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church, Patrons Bank and United Methodist Church helped distribute school supplies and footwear to local children ahead of the new academic year.

• More than 60 children received free haircuts, braids and school supplies during a community- wide event designed to help students begin the school year with confidence.

• The Muscogee Nation Citizenship Board requested a rehearing of a July ruling affirming citizenship rights for Freedmen descendants, calling the decision a constitutional crisis as election preparations continued.

• The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court denied the rehearing motion, leaving its earlier order in place requiring the enrollment of Freedmen descendants as tribal citizens.

• Federal prosecutors announced that an Okmulgee man pleaded guilty to robbery in Indian Country, a charge carrying potential prison time and fines under federal law.

• After a week-long, multi-agency effort, Okmulgee County Emergency Management suspended active search operations for Patty Matthews, citing extensive but unsuccessful search coverage.

• Green Country Technology Center received Oklahoma CareerTech’s Gold Star School designation for the third consecutive year, recognizing excellence in career and technical education.

• Emergency Management officials announced the temporary closure of 300 Road north of Highway 266 to allow crews to complete a major drainage improvement project.

• County Commissioners approved the purchase of a new ambulance while reviewing bids related to fairgrounds repairs and fire department needs.

• Emergency Medical Service, A Trust (EMSAT) announced the addition of a new ambulance and a refreshed public image as part of a broader push toward modernization and service expansion.

• Congressman Josh Brecheen met with constituents in Okmulgee to discuss federal spending, taxation and values, continuing a series of public forums across the state.