• Okmulgee High School’s girls’ debate teams stood on the brink of a third straight state championship, needing victories in both the home and away debates against undefeated Bartlesville. With only a single point separating the rivals, excitement ran high. Dora Erdberg and Mildred Collins argued the affirmative at home, while Ola Beckett and Virginia Frances traveled to Bartlesville for the negative round. Confident in their past wins over strong opponents, students and coaches anticipated record crowds and a spirited showdown.

• A strange burglar puzzled Okmulgee police after breaking into three homes early in the evenings and leaving rooms looking as if a tornado had torn through them. At the Kilgore home, he scattered drawers and bedding but took only a few pieces of clothing. A similar scene was found at the home of Mrs. Minda Moore, where nothing appeared missing despite the chaos. A third attempt at the Grier residence failed when the homeowner awoke, later discovering a cut screen and a broken windowpane. Officers noted the intruder’s odd habit of ransacking rooms while stealing almost nothing.

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• Okmulgee’s Sanitation Department put two new packer trucks into service during the first week of February, replacing older six‑ and seven‑year‑old units. The trucks, purchased from McGown Chevrolet with packer bodies from J&R Equipment, featured hydraulic systems that compacted and unloaded garbage more efficiently. One of the retired trucks was reassigned to rural service through the Soil Conservation Service, while the other was sold to a private sanitation operator near Sapulpa.

• Ben Thorman of Okmulgee was appointed Memorial Gifts Chairman for the Oklahoma Heart Association’s county chapter. He explained that memorial donations offered families a meaningful way to honor loved ones lost to heart disease while supporting research and community programs. When a gift was made, the association sent an acknowledgment card to the family, noting the names of donors without disclosing contribution amounts.

— 25 Years Ago (2001)

• Dawanna Robertson of Okmulgee, diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma at age 22, became one of 98 patients who received an experimental cancer vaccine through an OU‑affiliated study. She and her husband later learned that the treatment might not have met federal safety standards, leading them to join a multi‑million‑dollar lawsuit alleging that researchers misled patients and put them at risk. Her story drew national attention, and she traveled to New York to be interviewed by Steve Kroft for 60 Minutes, with Newsweek also expressing interest.

• The Okmulgee Service League finalized plans for its February 17th Mardi Gras–themed fundraiser, “Let the Good Times Roll,” to be held at the Okmulgee Town and Country Club. Members prepared casino tables, basket auctions, giveaways, hors d’oeuvres and music, and several committees gathered to coordinate ticket sales and event details. Local businesses, including Eskimo Joe’s, donated items to support the fundraiser.

— 10 Years Ago (2016)

• A public forum hosted by the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce brought together mayoral candidates Eric Chapman, Terry Watkins and incumbent Steve Baldridge. The trio answered prepared questions and took inquiries from the audience, discussing issues such as the city’s image, economic development and whether Okmulgee should adopt a strong‑mayor form of government. All three agreed on the need to attract new businesses and visitors to strengthen the community. Early voting opened that week, with the special election scheduled for the following Tuesday.

• James Allred announced his candidacy for the Morris School Board, emphasizing his long ties to the community and his years coaching local youth sports. He highlighted his background in civil engineering, surveying and construction management, noting that he oversaw more than $80 million in projects for the Muscogee Nation. Allred explained that his family had lived in the Morris area for generations and that his children attended Morris Schools. He said his experience, work ethic and decision‑making skills would help the district navigate funding cuts and future bond projects.