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A line of hot air balloons light up on Aug. 9, 2025 - including "Milky Way," which is shaped like a cow, and a new llama-shaped balloon - during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival at the CPN Festival Grounds. File photo

A line of hot air balloons light up on Aug. 9, 2025 - including "Milky Way," which is shaped like a cow, and a new llama-shaped balloon - during the FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival at the CPN Festival Grounds. File photo

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Balloon Fest to feature new petting zoo, musical acts, drone show, Aug. 7-8

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The Ninth Annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival is right around the corner, Aug. 7-8, at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) Festival Grounds.It will return with hot-air balloons from across the country, including the morning balloon launch, balloon glow and tethered rides.
Avedis grant boosts early childhood literacy

Avedis grant boosts early childhood literacy

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Avedis grant boosts early childhood literacy

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Avedis Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to Reach Out and Read Oklahoma in support of the Strengthening the Impact of Early Relational Health & Literacy in Pottawatomie County program.
Twins Elise Whitney and Ella (Whitney) Gardner and their mother, Hope Whitney, volunteer at the Mission Tecumseh Back to School Bash, held at the Tecumseh High School W.P. Wood Alumni Center on July 25. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Twins Elise Whitney and Ella (Whitney) Gardner and their mother, Hope Whitney, volunteer at the Mission Tecumseh Back to School Bash, held at the Tecumseh High School W.P. Wood Alumni Center on July 25. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Back-to-School drives pop up around county

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Twins Elise Whitney and Ella (Whitney) Gardner and their mother, Hope Whitney, volunteer at the Mission Tecumseh Back to School Bash, held at the Tecumseh High School W.P. Wood Alumni Center on July 25. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
Earlsboro High School 2022 graduate Ryan Long dunks the ball, as SHS graduate Chevis Sharp, Jr. (hidden) and Bethel High School 2023 graduate Si Foreman watch, during the First Annual Hoops for Hope on July 25. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Earlsboro High School 2022 graduate Ryan Long dunks the ball, as SHS graduate Chevis Sharp, Jr. (hidden) and Bethel High School 2023 graduate Si Foreman watch, during the First Annual Hoops for Hope on July 25. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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First Annual Hoops for Hope raises money for ACS

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
In 2020, Isabella McCoy’s best friend, J-Lynn Haymond, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer after having her son, “Baby” Jordan Haymond, Jr. When she was in remission, Haymond was told she probably couldn’t have any more children.
Science Museum Oklahoma Educator Calen Cavallaro holds half of a 3D-printed skull belonging to the Acrocanthosaurus, Oklahoma's State Dinosaur, at the "Dino or Not? The Ultimate Prehistoric Showdown" program at Tecumseh Public Library on July 16. In addition to looking at replica and real fossils, kids could choose paper body parts and create their own dinosaurs. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Science Museum Oklahoma Educator Calen Cavallaro holds half of a 3D-printed skull belonging to the Acrocanthosaurus, Oklahoma's State Dinosaur, at the "Dino or Not? The Ultimate Prehistoric Showdown" program at Tecumseh Public Library on July 16. In addition to looking at replica and real fossils, kids could choose paper body parts and create their own dinosaurs. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Summer learning at the libraries

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
See all of our event photos by clicking on the Countywide & Sun camera banner ad!

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Community Calendar - July 30 - Aug. 6

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Thursday, 30Vision Meeting for Farrall Park - 11 am or 7 pm (same agenda). Community Center, 804 S. Park, Shawnee.Shawnee Lions Club noon at Santa Fe Cattle Company (Shawnee Mall) Legion Karaoke - 6 pm, Pot Luck. 7 pm -9 pm Karaoke, 201 E. Park, Tecumseh. $5.
New McLoud Police Chief Arlin Kocher introduced himself to the McLoud City Council at July's meeting. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

New McLoud Police Chief Arlin Kocher introduced himself to the McLoud City Council at July's meeting. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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McLoud introduces new Police Chief

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
For the Police Department Update at the McLoud City Council Meeting, City Manager Cody Roe introduced the council to Arlin Kocher, the new Police Chief by saying, “He comes to us with some excellent experience. He hit the ground running.
Some of the Team Australia members and parents from the Australian Youth Rodeo Organisation took a moment for an interview and photo on the morning of July 17, the final day for the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. Shown, front row from left, are Kate Todd, Ruby Todd, Cade Ferguson, back row, Leigh Holley and Ruby Ruckwood. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Some of the Team Australia members and parents from the Australian Youth Rodeo Organisation took a moment for an interview and photo on the morning of July 17, the final day for the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. Shown, front row from left, are Kate Todd, Ruby Todd, Cade Ferguson, back row, Leigh Holley and Ruby Ruckwood. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Team Australia enjoys competing at IFYR

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 23, 2026
“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” was a frequent refrain from announcers Monty Stephens and Rob Smets during the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) in Shawnee when a Team Australia contestant would start their ride.