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The Shawnee Regional Airport terminal still stands in shambles almost a year after the April 19, 2023 tornado. Its demolition was approved at the last Shawnee City Council meeting. Several hangars and airplanes were also damaged. Distributions for repairs from insurance and FEMA are slowly trickling in, said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and Assistant City Manager Danny Vise.

The Shawnee Regional Airport terminal still stands in shambles almost a year after the April 19, 2023 tornado. Its demolition was approved at the last Shawnee City Council meeting. Several hangars and airplanes were also damaged. Distributions for repairs from insurance and FEMA are slowly trickling in, said Shawnee City Manager Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer and Assistant City Manager Danny Vise.

One Year Later, Recovery Continues

As of tomorrow, April 19, Shawnee has been healing from its tornado wounds for one year. Some of them have completely healed, and some are still waiting.One of the biggest wounds that the City of Shawnee has been working on is the Shawnee Regional Airport.
Clancy Humphrey, 6, of Shawnee, looks at Jupiter through a telescope belonging to the Lunar Sooners club from OU, as his mother Bethany Humphrey watches, during a star gazing event at the Tecumseh Public Library on April 5. The Lunar Sooners were represented by graduate students Manuel Barrientos (behind telescope) and Adam Moss, who spoke earlier on the science behind an eclipse and astronomy. Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

Clancy Humphrey, 6, of Shawnee, looks at Jupiter through a telescope belonging to the Lunar Sooners club from OU, as his mother Bethany Humphrey watches, during a star gazing event at the Tecumseh Public Library on April 5. The Lunar Sooners were represented by graduate students Manuel Barrientos (behind telescope) and Adam Moss, who spoke earlier on the science behind an eclipse and astronomy. Countywide & Sun/ Natasha Dunagan

Tecumseh Library Hosts Stargazing Event

Eric Stephens

Eric Stephens

Shawnee Businessman Eric Stephens Files For Mayor

Shawnee businessman Eric Stephens made it official on Wednesday when he filed to be a candidate for Mayor. It is his first bid for elective office. The non-partisan primary election is June 18.“The biggest problem we face at City Hall is getting our priorities straight.

Russell Ray Files For Corporation Commission

Longtime energy journalist and communications executive Russell Ray declared his candidacy for Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner.A former spokesman and thought leader for America’s power generation industry, Russell has 20 years of experience evaluating energy policy, pricing, and technology.
Jefferson Elementary SPS Kids Program Creates Eclipse Time Capsule

Jefferson Elementary SPS Kids Program Creates Eclipse Time Capsule

Jefferson Elementary SPS Kids Program Creates Eclipse Time Capsule

Jefferson Elementary fourth graders in the SPS Kids Afterschool Program who studied the April 8 total solar eclipse created and buried a time capsule to share their learning with future Jefferson students.
Cody Swearingen

Cody Swearingen

Cody Swearingen Files For District 17 State Senate

Cody Swearingen, a sixth-generation Oklahoman, has deep roots in the soil of District 17, where his family’s legacy of public service spans generations, including educators, healthcare workers, law enforcement officers, and military members.
Savanna Garlington, 4, of Maud, talks with paramedic Britney Little, left, and nurse Amy Caudill, far right, while sitting in the Air Evac helicopter, out of Seminole, during the Touch A Truck and Beyond event, April 6, at the CPN Festival Grounds. In this third annual event organized by the Pottawatomie County Emergency Management,  there were 72 agencies and community partners in attendance, including fire departments, law enforcement agencies, large equipment operators, two helicopters and others.

Savanna Garlington, 4, of Maud, talks with paramedic Britney Little, left, and nurse Amy Caudill, far right, while sitting in the Air Evac helicopter, out of Seminole, during the Touch A Truck and Beyond event, April 6, at the CPN Festival Grounds. In this third annual event organized by the Pottawatomie County Emergency Management, there were 72 agencies and community partners in attendance, including fire departments, law enforcement agencies, large equipment operators, two helicopters and others.

Third Annual Touch A Truck & Beyond Has 72 Participants

Savanna Garlington, 4, of Maud, talks with paramedic Britney Little, left, and nurse Amy Caudill, far right, while sitting in the Air Evac helicopter, out of Seminole, during the Touch A Truck and Beyond event, April 6, at the CPN Festival Grounds.
Everyone applauds as Shawnee YMCA CEO Mike Jobe cuts the ribbon, with the help of board members, employees, and others, to officially reopen the Troy and Dollie Smith Family YMCA on April 6, almost a year after it was hit by the April 19, 2023 tornado. Jobe later said approximately 1,800 people attended the Grand Reopening party. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Everyone applauds as Shawnee YMCA CEO Mike Jobe cuts the ribbon, with the help of board members, employees, and others, to officially reopen the Troy and Dollie Smith Family YMCA on April 6, almost a year after it was hit by the April 19, 2023 tornado. Jobe later said approximately 1,800 people attended the Grand Reopening party. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Shawnee YMCA Reopens With Speeches, Ribbon Cutting, Party

It has been close to a year since the Troy and Dollie Smith Family YMCA was hit by the April 19, 2023 tornado. And the public was ready for it to be open again.Shawnee YMCA CEO Mike Jobe estimated that about 1,800 people attended the Grand Reopening Party on April 6, between 9 am and 1 pm.