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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.
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.“It is with a heavy heart and a tremendous amount of gratitude that Patricia Ortega, owner of House of Health at 314 West MacArthur,...
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.
Attendees line up for the traditional PCJLS Trophy Auction dinner, served by 4-H and FFA members. Approximately 575 meals were served before the record breaking auction began. Photo provided

Attendees line up for the traditional PCJLS Trophy Auction dinner, served by 4-H and FFA members. Approximately 575 meals were served before the record breaking auction began. Photo provided

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FEBRUARY

News Staff
Thursday, January 1, 2026
February was super busy with the annual PCJLS dinner and trophy auction, packed meetings, student internships, homecomings and and award banquets.Tecumseh Public Schools hosted a packed board meeting with more than 30 speakers on the “Savage” mascot debate.
January

January

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JANUARY

News Staff
Thursday, January 1, 2026
busy start to the year in Pottawatomie County, as Sheri Freeland Wood was sworn in-the . rst new sheri in 16 years—by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Douglas L. Combs Justice Combs also swore in County Treasurer Rachelle Flewallen, and Dist. 2 Commissioner Greg Rush, and Court Clerk Valerie Ueltzen...
Santa Claus rides in his sleigh pulled by nine beautiful reindeer in the Shawnee Parade of Lights on Dec. 12. Santa and fireworks rounded out the two-hour parade with 117 entries.

Santa Claus rides in his sleigh pulled by nine beautiful reindeer in the Shawnee Parade of Lights on Dec. 12. Santa and fireworks rounded out the two-hour parade with 117 entries.

Merry Christmas! Letters to Santa 2025

News Staff
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Tecumseh Early Childhood Center: Mrs. Litle’s Pre-K ClassDear Santa,I want a real cat that is black and big and a doctor set with a puppy dog.Merry Christmas,Alivia P.Dear Santa,I want a candy cane and a Mickey Mouse toy that dances.
Titus Hancock, 6; Malachi Hancock, 5; and Emersyn Hancock, 7, all of Meeker, pet Rose the Reindeer, as Jamie Hancock and reindeer wrangler, Nick Ledbetter, watch and supervise at The McLoud Mercantile on Dec. 20. Rose comes from the Reindeer Club in Bristow, and Mercantile co-owner Samantha Sessums said in a video on their Facebook page that she has been trying for three years to get the live reindeer there. This year, there was a cancellation and a last-minute opportunity. See full cutline below.

Titus Hancock, 6; Malachi Hancock, 5; and Emersyn Hancock, 7, all of Meeker, pet Rose the Reindeer, as Jamie Hancock and reindeer wrangler, Nick Ledbetter, watch and supervise at The McLoud Mercantile on Dec. 20. Rose comes from the Reindeer Club in Bristow, and Mercantile co-owner Samantha Sessums said in a video on their Facebook page that she has been trying for three years to get the live reindeer there. This year, there was a cancellation and a last-minute opportunity. See full cutline below.

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McLoud Mercantile brings Rose the Reindeer to town

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
After a rough year, it was a bit of a Christmas miracle.The McLoud Mercantile, at 113 N. Main Street, held a Christmas event on Dec. 20, the last Saturday they would be open until after the holiday.It included familiar faces like Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, a few elves and the Grinch.
Greyson Diaz, 5, found a stack of gifts during the Fourth Annual Shawnee Police Department Toy Drive on Dec. 18.

Greyson Diaz, 5, found a stack of gifts during the Fourth Annual Shawnee Police Department Toy Drive on Dec. 18.

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Shawnee PD provides for 200 kids’ Christmas wishes

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The Fourth Annual Shawnee Police Department Toy Drive brought smiles to the faces of 200 children whose parents registered them online.There were tables of toys, games and blankets, and Santa and Mrs. Claus were available to visit and pose, as well.