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Kim Smith, Instructional Coach for Tecumseh High School, prepares for the ACT Workshop. Cheyanna Dietz, Countywide & Sun Intern

Kim Smith, Instructional Coach for Tecumseh High School, prepares for the ACT Workshop. Cheyanna Dietz, Countywide & Sun Intern

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Tecumseh High Schools prepares students for ACT

Cheyanna Dietz Ths Intern
Thursday, February 26, 2026
From February through the April ACT date, Tecumseh High School is preparing junior students for their upcoming tests. Teachers are providing workshops that give tips regarding the different sections on the test.
Pottawatomie County Deputy, Captain Jared Strand, presents a vehicle lease proposal to the Commissioners in an effort to maintain a manageable budget, without the spikes when requesting multiple replacement vehicles. No decision was made during the Feb. 24 meeting. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Pottawatomie County Deputy, Captain Jared Strand, presents a vehicle lease proposal to the Commissioners in an effort to maintain a manageable budget, without the spikes when requesting multiple replacement vehicles. No decision was made during the Feb. 24 meeting. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Vehicle lease proposal reviewed at County Meeting

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Pottawatomie County commissioners approved law enforcement equipment purchases, addressed homeless encampments on county property, and advanced mental health funding during their Feb. 24 meeting.
North Rock Creek High School students, along with sponsors, Kristin Grimes, Spanish teacher, and Brandy Smith, Biological Science and Health Careers Teacher stop for a group photo after volunteering at the OkMOM event held in Enid this year. Photo Provided

North Rock Creek High School students, along with sponsors, Kristin Grimes, Spanish teacher, and Brandy Smith, Biological Science and Health Careers Teacher stop for a group photo after volunteering at the OkMOM event held in Enid this year. Photo Provided

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NRC volunteers at OkMOM

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, February 26, 2026
On Feb. 6 and 7, the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) provided $1.33 million in free dental care to 820 Oklahomans in need, according to their press release. The event was held at the Stride Bank Center in Enid, Ok and provided 6,313 procedures.
Hats on and smiles ready, guests pose with a Dolly Parton cutout—Parton is the founder of the Imagination Library—at last year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Shawnee Public Library, a whimsical community fundraiser supporting the Pioneer Library System’s Pottawatomie County libraries. Photo by Sara McGaha/Pioneer Library System

Hats on and smiles ready, guests pose with a Dolly Parton cutout—Parton is the founder of the Imagination Library—at last year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Shawnee Public Library, a whimsical community fundraiser supporting the Pioneer Library System’s Pottawatomie County libraries. Photo by Sara McGaha/Pioneer Library System

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Fourth Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party to Benefit Local Libraries

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The Pioneer Library System Foundation invites the community to enter Wonderland at the 4th Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party fundraiser on Saturday, March 28.
Pictured from left: C.L. Prevost III, Senior Pastor Community Baptist Church; Rev. Matt Wiley, Senior Pastor Shawnee Presbyterian Church; Audrey Seeliger, Avedis Foundation; Dr. Kathy Laster, Avedis Foundation President and CEO; Keynote Speaker, David B. Gadberry, Lead Pastor of Lifeway Church of Kingfisher County; Josh L. Trimble, Avedis Foundation Board member; Travis Hurst, Senior Pastor, Faithco Church; and LaShane Hill, LMFT, Director Kemp MFT Clinic OBU. Photo by Chris Rettman

Pictured from left: C.L. Prevost III, Senior Pastor Community Baptist Church; Rev. Matt Wiley, Senior Pastor Shawnee Presbyterian Church; Audrey Seeliger, Avedis Foundation; Dr. Kathy Laster, Avedis Foundation President and CEO; Keynote Speaker, David B. Gadberry, Lead Pastor of Lifeway Church of Kingfisher County; Josh L. Trimble, Avedis Foundation Board member; Travis Hurst, Senior Pastor, Faithco Church; and LaShane Hill, LMFT, Director Kemp MFT Clinic OBU. Photo by Chris Rettman

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Avedis Foundation hosts local clergy for appreciation dinner

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
(Shawnee, OK) — Avedis Foundation welcomed local clergy and their guests for the Foundation’s annual Clergy Appreciation event on Thursday, February 12. Nearly 90 guests and several Avedis Board members attended the dinner at OBU’s Geiger Center, which featured keynote speaker David B.
Oklahoma Baptist University will celebrate the grand re-opening of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m., March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program, now in just its third year. Photo Provided

Oklahoma Baptist University will celebrate the grand re-opening of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m., March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program, now in just its third year. Photo Provided

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Thurmond Hall ribbon-cutting celebration to spotlight rapid growth of OBU engineering program

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Oklahoma Baptist University will celebrate the grand re-opening of Thurmond Hall with a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m., March 6, marking a milestone for a rapidly growing engineering program, now in just its third year.The OBU community, partners and friends are all invited to attend.
Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Elliott introduced guests at the Economic Development funding Workshop held at The Farmer's Daughter on Feb. 17. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Elliott introduced guests at the Economic Development funding Workshop held at The Farmer's Daughter on Feb. 17. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Tecumseh Chamber holds workshop

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Ladies at BHHS Benchmark Realty took time to pose with the donation box left at their office. Stop by and say hi and leave a donation for the kids in our community who are facing issues that even adults should not be facing. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Ladies at BHHS Benchmark Realty took time to pose with the donation box left at their office. Stop by and say hi and leave a donation for the kids in our community who are facing issues that even adults should not be facing. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Countywide is collecting comfort items for vulnerable children

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The United Days of Kindness is underway with a community-wide stuffed toys, blankets, and fidget-toys drive benefiting the Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma (CACCO).

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Burn Ban Now In Effect

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, February 19, 2026
A burn ban is in effect for all of Pottawatomie County. The ban resolution was approved during the meeting of the County Commissioners on Tuesday morning, Feb. 17.Emergency Management Director Aaron Scott said, “We meet all the criteria. I took a vote from all the fire chiefs.