News

Seth Barkhimer

Seth Barkhimer

Barkhimer appointed interim Assistant City Manager

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Shawnee, Oklahoma, February 3, 2025 – The City of Shawnee is pleased to announce the appointment of Seth Barkhimer as Interim Assistant City Manager.Barkhimer has been an integral part of the City’s leadership team since 2020 when he was hired as the Director of Engineering.

Tecumseh celebrates homecoming

Addy Lack
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Intern The Tecumseh community celebrates the annual Tecumseh High School Wrestling and Basketball Homecoming festivities. This event unites current students, alumni, and families for a week filled with pride and fun.The week’s highlights include the highly anticipated homecoming games.
Addy Lack takes a seat at the media table during the city council meeting on Feb. 3, 2025. Interning with Julie Talton, she is learning the ins and outs of local boards and council reporting. Pictured behind Addy is Linda Farris (Ward One), Sharon Stewart (Ward two) and Mayor Eddy Parker. Look for her own meeting recap in a future issue. Countywide & Sun/Julie Talton

Addy Lack takes a seat at the media table during the city council meeting on Feb. 3, 2025. Interning with Julie Talton, she is learning the ins and outs of local boards and council reporting. Pictured behind Addy is Linda Farris (Ward One), Sharon Stewart (Ward two) and Mayor Eddy Parker. Look for her own meeting recap in a future issue. Countywide & Sun/Julie Talton

Mayor Parker Proclaims April as World Autism Month

Julie Talton
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
At the February Tecumseh City Council meeting, Mayor Eddy Parker proclaimed April as World Autism Month and April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day. According to the proclamation, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children and 1 in 45 adults.
Attendees line up for the traditional PCJLS Trophy Auction dinner, served by 4-H and FFA members. Approximately 575 meals were served before the record breaking auction began. Photo provided

Attendees line up for the traditional PCJLS Trophy Auction dinner, served by 4-H and FFA members. Approximately 575 meals were served before the record breaking auction began. Photo provided

$80,000 Raised At Trophy Auction

Suzie Campbell
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
The annual Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show Pig Roast and Trophy Auction, held for the fifth year at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Event Center on Monday, Feb. 3, continues to grow.Suzanne Gilbert said the room was set up for 600 people and fed around 575.
Rob Morris addresses the Shawnee Board of Education.

Rob Morris addresses the Shawnee Board of Education.

Teacher resignation tabled

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Two familiar faces returned to the Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education regular meeting on Feb. 3.During Public Comments, Rob Morris and Cyndi Berger had similar concerns about the resignation of Shawnee High School Social Studies Teacher and Coach Chukwudi Onwuka.
Tecumseh student Jessica Jones (right) reviews photos taken over the weekend with Countywide & Sun’s Natasha Dunagan. Countywide & Sun/ Suzie Campbell

Tecumseh student Jessica Jones (right) reviews photos taken over the weekend with Countywide & Sun’s Natasha Dunagan. Countywide & Sun/ Suzie Campbell

Meet the high school student interns

Addy Lack
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Jessica Jones and Addy Lack are two Tecumseh High School students interning at Countywide & Sun newspaper for the spring semester of 2025. Under the guidance of mentors: Julie Talton, Natasha Dunagan, and Suzie Campbell, they are diving into community journalism and photography.
Kristi Campbell, with the Shawnee Public Schools Human Resources, speaks to the Shawnee Board of Education about what they can do in the search for a superintendent during the special session meeting on Jan. 24. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Kristi Campbell, with the Shawnee Public Schools Human Resources, speaks to the Shawnee Board of Education about what they can do in the search for a superintendent during the special session meeting on Jan. 24. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Shawnee School Board Chooses OSSBA For Superintendent Search

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Almost exactly two years from the last time Shawnee Public Schools began their search for a superintendent, the Shawnee Board of Education met in a special session to start all over again.The circumstances are different. In Jan. 2023, they were preparing for Dr. April Grace to retire. This time, Dr.