News

Shown here is the view of the Children's White House from the South Lawn, which faces Shawnee Twin Lakes. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Shown here is the view of the Children's White House from the South Lawn, which faces Shawnee Twin Lakes. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The Children’s White House

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Pastor Ed Moore drew up a plan on some graph paper to build a scaled down model of The White House on his Shawnee lakefront property.It’s technically an auxiliary building or gathering place; there are no bedrooms or plumbing.
Oklahoma American Legion Auxiliary Vice President Donna Snodgrass speaks during the Tecumseh American Legion Post 260 Flag Day Ceremony on June 13. The wife of Post 260 Commander Tom Snodgrass, she spoke about how the US flag unites the country. D. Snodgrass will have an inauguration as the Oklahoma American Legion Auxiliary President on July 12, 1 pm, at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Oklahoma American Legion Auxiliary Vice President Donna Snodgrass speaks during the Tecumseh American Legion Post 260 Flag Day Ceremony on June 13. The wife of Post 260 Commander Tom Snodgrass, she spoke about how the US flag unites the country. D. Snodgrass will have an inauguration as the Oklahoma American Legion Auxiliary President on July 12, 1 pm, at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Tecumseh American Legion celebrates Flag Day

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The US flag was the center of attention on June 13 for the Flag Day Ceremony and Flag Retirement Ceremony at Tecumseh American Legion Hill-Huett Post 260.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County Honors Canavan With Closure

Brian Blansett Brian@tricountyherald.com
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Pottawatomie County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to close the courthouse, annex and district attorney’s office on the morning of June 26 in recognition of the funeral mass for Diane Canavan, wife of District Judge John Canavan.The county offices will be closed that morning and reopen at 1 p.m.
Dist. 1 Pottawatomie County Commissioner Melissa Dennis pauses for a quick photo and a short quote after a night of watching election results. Dennis won her bid for re-election for another term.

Dist. 1 Pottawatomie County Commissioner Melissa Dennis pauses for a quick photo and a short quote after a night of watching election results. Dennis won her bid for re-election for another term.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

ELECTION RESULTS

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Oklahoma voters went to the polls this week for the 2026 primary elections, narrowing crowded fields and setting up high-stakes runoffs for several statewide offices.Let’s start with the local races. For the City of Shawnee, Ward One Commissioner Daniel Matthews retained his seat with 597 votes (57.
A covered wagon and carriage from Crossroads Cowboy Church in Harrah make their way east on Broadway Ave. during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21, 2025. File photo

A covered wagon and carriage from Crossroads Cowboy Church in Harrah make their way east on Broadway Ave. during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on June 21, 2025. File photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

McLoud Blackberry Festival set for June 19-20

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The “longest-running food-related festival in Oklahoma,” according to the McLoud Chamber of Commerce website, will return June 19-20.
Nick Waters with American Storytellers, LLC, tells the story of Clarence "Ducky" Nash, the voice of Donald Duck for 50 years, on June 8 at the McLoud Museum and Historical Society. Presented by the McLoud Public Library, Waters told how Nash was born in Watonga, OK, where he imitated the animals on their farm as a child, including a baby goat which he voiced. His family moved to Mt. Washington, MO, when he was 10, and at 15, he performed in a talent show. Nash became a milkman before working for Disney.

Nick Waters with American Storytellers, LLC, tells the story of Clarence "Ducky" Nash, the voice of Donald Duck for 50 years, on June 8 at the McLoud Museum and Historical Society. Presented by the McLoud Public Library, Waters told how Nash was born in Watonga, OK, where he imitated the animals on their farm as a child, including a baby goat which he voiced. His family moved to Mt. Washington, MO, when he was 10, and at 15, he performed in a talent show. Nash became a milkman before working for Disney.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Summer at the Library

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
As summer reaches its midpoint, Pioneer Library System (PLS) is encouraging participants in the Summer Learning Challenge (SLC) to keep the momentum going by logging their daily reading and learning minutes.
Lisa Wells Honored

Lisa Wells Honored

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lisa Wells Honored

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The American Library Association has named Lisa Wells, Executive Director of Pioneer Library System, as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 ALA Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship, one of the profession’s highest honors recognizing extraordinary contributions to the public...