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Superintendent Robert Kinsey passes out certificates of appreciation to Tecumseh School Board members for School Board Appreciation Month during the January meeting. Present were: Nicole Sanchez, Iva Bingham, Dylan Hayes and Lance Phelps. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Superintendent Robert Kinsey passes out certificates of appreciation to Tecumseh School Board members for School Board Appreciation Month during the January meeting. Present were: Nicole Sanchez, Iva Bingham, Dylan Hayes and Lance Phelps. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Lola C. Durham recipients selected

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
A vote to select recipients of the Teacher Recognition Awards for the 2025-2026 school year was tallied at the Jan. 12 Tecumseh School Board meeting. A representative from the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce and the Tecumseh Alumni Association also had the opportunity to participate in the selection.
Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Elliott makes her donation on the Oklahoma Blood Institute Bloodmobile during the Tecumseh Community Blood Drive on Dec. 19. Elliott has donated 30 times and said the Chamber changed the blood drive from annual to every two months when she took the job. Elliott added that OBI joined the Chamber in December. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Elliott makes her donation on the Oklahoma Blood Institute Bloodmobile during the Tecumseh Community Blood Drive on Dec. 19. Elliott has donated 30 times and said the Chamber changed the blood drive from annual to every two months when she took the job. Elliott added that OBI joined the Chamber in December. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Tecumseh Community Blood Drive

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Teens gather for a board game night at the Tecumseh Public Library. Photo provided by PLS

Teens gather for a board game night at the Tecumseh Public Library. Photo provided by PLS

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Find Calm, Connection, and Growth with Pioneer Library System

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Pioneer Library System (PLS) is shining a light on health and wellness this season, with a special focus on mental health for teens and adults. Prioritize mental wellness in the new year through your library’s events, books, and resources designed to help you pause, reflect, and recharge.
McLoud City Manager Cody Roe addresses the Commissioners, requesting reimbursement for an ARPA-funded project. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

McLoud City Manager Cody Roe addresses the Commissioners, requesting reimbursement for an ARPA-funded project. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Commissioners address Fair Board, audit, ARPA project

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Pottawatomie County Commissioners approved a resolution setting the Free Fair Board election, discussed the completion of Mc-Loud’s ARPA-funded 10th Street sewer project, and announced the most recent audit findings at its Jan. 13, 2026, meeting.

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Community Calendar - Jan. 15-22

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Thursday, 15th Poetry Reading - 7 pm, The Lunchbox, 217 E Main. Doors open at 6 pm for ordering drinks and desserts. Legion Karaoke - 6 pm, Pot Luck. 7 pm -9 pm Karaoke, 201 E. Park, Tecumseh. $5.Grief Support Group every Thurs.
Tecumseh Middle School Art Teacher Kelly Renken stands in the hallway outside his room between the Massive Meme Memorial and the Wall of Legends. In the past year, he has painted 85 memes and 56 legends in the TMS North Building, and he posts his work on YouTube and TikTok, with 52.3K subscribers so far.

Tecumseh Middle School Art Teacher Kelly Renken stands in the hallway outside his room between the Massive Meme Memorial and the Wall of Legends. In the past year, he has painted 85 memes and 56 legends in the TMS North Building, and he posts his work on YouTube and TikTok, with 52.3K subscribers so far.

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TMS art teacher creates hallway murals for students, social media

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Hidden inside the Tecumseh Middle School North Building are two hallway murals that have been almost a year in the making and continue to grow.Each addition can be viewed on YouTube and TikTok under the name of “Mr. Renken.
As the sun sets beyond the trees, Bethel Acres firefighters douse the hotspots of a fire on Dec. 22. With neighboring Fire Departments on scene including McLoud, Shawnee, and Tecumseh, the departments worked together to get the fire under control, saving the homes. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

As the sun sets beyond the trees, Bethel Acres firefighters douse the hotspots of a fire on Dec. 22. With neighboring Fire Departments on scene including McLoud, Shawnee, and Tecumseh, the departments worked together to get the fire under control, saving the homes. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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County issues burn ban

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
A burn ban is in place for all of Pottawatomie County. The resolution to invoke the ban was approved during the Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, County Commission meeting and became effective immediately.
Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Jason James speaks with the Shawnee Board of Education about Board Recognition Month before presenting a video of 'thank-yous' from the district during the Jan. 12 meeting. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Jason James speaks with the Shawnee Board of Education about Board Recognition Month before presenting a video of 'thank-yous' from the district during the Jan. 12 meeting. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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SPS Board hears audit, events, and construction updates

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The annual Audit Report for 2024-2025 was presented during the Jan. 12 Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education meeting.Jeff Jenkins, of Jenkins & Kemper CPA, PC, gave the report, which found no significant problems and was approved.
Tecumseh City Attorney Nic Atwood swears in new Ward 3 Councilman Christopher Abel after the special meeting held on Jan 12. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Tecumseh City Attorney Nic Atwood swears in new Ward 3 Councilman Christopher Abel after the special meeting held on Jan 12. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Tecumseh fills Ward Three seat

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Tecumseh City Council welcomed a new councilman to the table during a 10-minute special meeting held on Jan. 12.After a brief interview by the council, Christopher Abel was appointed to the Ward 3 seat previously held by Don Bradley.The seat's term is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2026.