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Seventh-grade teacher team: (Back) Derek Wellman; 2nd Row: Jaden Wiley, Jordan Knutson, Emily Barbosa, Natalie Manion, Stephanie Murray, Mikayla Brannam, Morgan Shaefer; (Front) Lila Lindsay, Kayla Hutcheson, Brock Partain and Hannah Mehlhaff. Photo Provided

Seventh-grade teacher team: (Back) Derek Wellman; 2nd Row: Jaden Wiley, Jordan Knutson, Emily Barbosa, Natalie Manion, Stephanie Murray, Mikayla Brannam, Morgan Shaefer; (Front) Lila Lindsay, Kayla Hutcheson, Brock Partain and Hannah Mehlhaff. Photo Provided

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Shawnee Middle School Continues Holiday Giving Tradition

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Shawnee, OK – December 29, 2025 — What began more than a decade ago as a simple idea to make the last day before Christmas break more fun has grown into a powerful tradition of generosity and community spirit at Shawnee Middle School.

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Community Calendar - Jan. 8-14, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Thursday, 8th Shawnee Lions Club noon at Santa Fe Cattle Company (Shawnee Mall) PCDA — 4:30 pm, 17508 Bethel RoadLegion Karaoke - 6 pm, Pot Luck.Grief Support Group every Thurs. 6:30, Non-Denominational/Open to Public held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Shawnee. Q?: Contact Karen @ 405-627-6470.
The devastating damage to Shawnee Hall is evident the morning after the April 19, 2023, tornado tore through Shawnee. Photo provided by OBU

The devastating damage to Shawnee Hall is evident the morning after the April 19, 2023, tornado tore through Shawnee. Photo provided by OBU

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Through the storm, the Bison spirit guides OBU

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
It has been almost three years since the April 19, 2023, tornado ripped through Shawnee and the surrounding areas. At Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), the tornado recovery was only the beginning of the “flex toward the future.”The focus immediately after the storm was clear. OBU President, Dr.
The House of Health Health Food Store, at 314 W. MacArthur in Shawnee, closed at the end of Dec. 2025, after being in that location for 25 years. Owner Patricia Ortega opened the House of Health on Kickapoo 51 years ago. They have also had locations on Main Street, as well as in Tecumseh, Ada, and Pauls Valley. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

The House of Health Health Food Store, at 314 W. MacArthur in Shawnee, closed at the end of Dec. 2025, after being in that location for 25 years. Owner Patricia Ortega opened the House of Health on Kickapoo 51 years ago. They have also had locations on Main Street, as well as in Tecumseh, Ada, and Pauls Valley. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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House of Health closes after 51 years

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
On Dec. 10, the House of Health Health Food Store in Shawnee announced on their Facebook page that they would be closing at the end of the month after 51 years.
McLoud Police Department received its accreditation certificate. Pictured from left are McLoud Mayor Daniel McClure, Tuttle Police Cheif Don Cluck, McLoud Police Cheif Kyle Webb and McLoud Police SGT. Michael O'Leary. Photo courtesy of Monica Poindexter

McLoud Police Department received its accreditation certificate. Pictured from left are McLoud Mayor Daniel McClure, Tuttle Police Cheif Don Cluck, McLoud Police Cheif Kyle Webb and McLoud Police SGT. Michael O'Leary. Photo courtesy of Monica Poindexter

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MARCH

News Staff
Thursday, January 1, 2026
In March local governments moved on infrastructure, public safety, and community projects.Dale Public Schools went live with the Centegix Crisis Alert System, the first in Oklahoma. Staff can request help instantly via wearable badges or trigger campus-wide lockdowns, independent of Wi-Fi.