• The first nominating petition for the upcoming mayoral race was filed for Dan Kenan, whose supporters gathered far more signatures than required. Petitions for Samuel Bright and Preston Nicholas were also expected, and all three men appeared to be the only serious contenders. Election officials prepared to print ballots and reminded candidates that petitions needed to be filed before the office closed. Voters were free to sign more than one petition, and many had done so as the race began to take shape.

• City detectives believed they halted a wave of forged checks when they arrested three young men carrying bogus paper. One of the suspects had tried to pass a check at a clothing store but fled when the clerk questioned it. Officers later found the trio near the depot and recovered several forged checks written on local and out‑of‑town banks. Handwriting tests pointed to one youth as the forger, and charges were expected to follow. Police noted that one of the boys had previously served time in a reformatory for theft.

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• The Salvation Army’s divisional commander visited Okmulgee to speak at the annual advisory board dinner. Guests heard updates on the organization’s work, including its services, finances and community programs. The commander and his wife were longtime Salvation Army leaders with experience across several states and abroad, and the evening highlighted their shared commitment to youth, families, and local outreach.

• The Okmulgee Recreation Center boxing team turned in an impressive showing, with several young fighters earning championship jackets and advancing through their brackets. Boxers won matches by knockout, technical knockout and strong decisions, with some opponents unable to finish their rounds. Coaches praised the team’s determination and the steady progress each fighter showed throughout the tournament.

— 25 Years Ago (2001) • The Sheriff ’s Office faced serious trouble with its patrol fleet, as rough rural roads and years of heavy use left many vehicles out of service. Several cars had blown motors, and others were barely roadworthy, leaving deputies to respond to emergencies in unreliable units. Staff members often paid for repairs out of their own pockets and worked on the cars themselves to keep them running. County leaders hoped the next budget would allow the purchase of safer, low‑mileage replacements, but the need remained urgent. The department encouraged anyone willing to help to contribute to the vehicle maintenance fund so deputies could continue answering calls safely.

• The Okmulgee County Family Resource Center received more than ten thousand dollars to support its work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The funds came from a national settlement involving a shoe manufacturer accused of fixing retail prices. State officials directed Oklahoma’s share of the settlement to programs that serve women and families, noting that many shelters operate with limited budgets and rely heavily on volunteers. The additional support was intended to strengthen local services and help agencies continue providing safety and assistance to those in need.

— 10 Years Ago (2016) • Preservation Oklahoma selected Okmulgee Main Street Director Heather Sumner to receive its Young Leadership Award for her work in historic preservation. The honor was part of a statewide program that highlights endangered historic places and recognizes individuals who help protect Oklahoma’s architectural heritage. The event also celebrated other preservation leaders and included tours of restored buildings to show how community support can save important sites.

• Anna Dearmore entered the race for State Representative, emphasizing the need to protect public education and restore funding for essential services. She spoke about the strain budget cuts had placed on schools, families, and rural communities, and pledged to work across party lines to support teachers, strengthen local decision‑making and promote responsible budgeting. Her platform centered on listening to residents, improving opportunities for rural districts and ensuring that state policies reflect the needs of everyday Oklahomans.