• A lively home‑talent show, “The Jollies of 1926,” packed the Orpheum Theatre with a fast‑moving mix of musician comedy, lively entertainment acts, songs and dance numbers. Dudley Monk led the minstrel portion, while standout performances included Marian Hockensmith and Marjorie Ming as “The Cutie Kids,” Tom Carmody in both comedy and skit work and a charming “Bower of Roses” ensemble. Soloists such as Mary Ambrose, Jess Wright, Julia Urt, Ralph Robe and Frank Quinn added musical highlights. Specialty dances – Spanish, Egyptian and Charleston – rounded out the show. The production drew a strong crowd and was praised as one of the most polished local entertainments of the season.

• Authorities filed a complaint against J.E. Hawkins, a car salesman accused of taking demonstrator sedans from dealerships in both Beggs and Cleveland. Hawkins was arrested in Okmulgee after abandoning one car with an empty gas tank; the other was found in a Muskogee garage. He claimed he had only “borrowed” the vehicles and left instructions for their return, but Beggs officials proceeded with formal charges for the Dec. 19 theft.

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• The Okmulgee Keynotes, an eleven‑member vocal group from Okmulgee High School directed by Mrs. John Samples, were chosen to provide entertainment for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Ladies Night Banquet on Jan. 15 at OSU Tech. Chamber president Ray Hardwick praised the group as one of the community’s most valued musical traditions. Founded more than 30 years earlier by Miss Mary Lou Finley, the Keynotes remained in steady demand across local civic clubs.

• Tom McAdams Jr., president of the National Stripper Well Association, spoke to the Okmulgee Rotary Club about the seriousness of the nation’s energy shortage, noting that while finished fuel products seemed plentiful, the raw materials behind them were increasingly dependent on foreign imports. He argued that political decisions and price controls had contributed to the crisis and urged support for legislation that would fund exploration for new domestic energy sources. McAdams emphasized the importance of stripper wells – small, low‑production wells that make up 74 percent of all U.S. oil wells – and highlighted their significant contributions to national output, landowner royalties and state and local tax revenue.

— 25 Years Ago (2001)

• The Okmulgee wrestling club spent the Christmas break traveling to tournaments across the state, bringing home an impressive collection of medals. At Sapulpa, Jake McCall won gold at 160 pounds and in the Division 4 heavyweight class, while Joseph Lee, Jeremy VanderTook and Trevor Gilroy earned second‑place finishes and Casey Torix placed fourth. At Cleveland, Andrew Bevenue and McCall each won top honors and added additional second‑and third‑place medals, with Luke Shanks taking second at 152 pounds. Their final stop in Sallisaw saw Bevenue finish first and fourth, McCall take two second‑place medals and Chris McKee earn first and third in different divisions.

• The Okmulgee Knights of Columbus presented $500 to Don Pittman, supervisor of the Okmulgee Work Activity Center, as part of the proceeds from their annual Tootsie Roll drive. The organization raised a total of $2,118.10, with funds designated to support programs for individuals with mental disabilities both locally and statewide.

• Two Okmulgee County mayors found themselves before the courts in the early new year. Beggs Mayor Ron Ballard, 43, entered a no‑contest plea to misdemeanor charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest after a Sept. 10 incident outside a nightclub, where a sheriff ’s deputy reported that Ballard became belligerent and allegedly knocked him to the ground. Ballard, who previously faced alcohol‑related charges in 1989, agreed to pay $360 in fines and court costs. In a separate case, former Dewar Mayor Haskell Wadsworth, 56, appeared for formal arraignment on two felony counts filed the previous August. Wadsworth waived his right to a jury trial, and a plea hearing was set for Feb. 21, after which sentencing would follow pending a pre-sentence investigation.

— 10 Years Ago (2016)

• A new group called Fostering H.O.P.E. (Helping Okmulgee Parents Engage) formed to support foster parents in the Okmulgee area, offering monthly meetings and a growing “resource closet” stocked with clothing, diapers, shoes and toys for children entering state custody. Organized by Katharine Carson in partnership with DHS Child Welfare, the effort was boosted by a donated storage container from Regal Car Sales, with foster parent Matt Raines leading the work to outfit it for community use. Pastor Mickey Baldwin encouraged broader community involvement, noting that the group hopes to create a circle of support where families can both give and receive what children need.

• Registered nurse Donna Payne announced her candidacy for a seat on the Morris School Board, emphasizing her belief that every child deserves access to a strong education. With more than 30 years of nursing experience – including 24 years in management – she highlighted her background in teamwork, leadership and community service. Payne said she would advocate for students, support local control of the school system and uphold the district’s mission to motivate and challenge all learners. A Morris‑area resident for over 15 years, she and her husband, retired teacher Wayne Payne, have two grandchildren currently attending Morris Elementary.