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Mary Carter

Mary Carter

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Tecumseh candidacies announced

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Mary Carter announced Tuesday that she is seeking election to a full term in the Ward 4 Tecumseh City Council seat she has held since February.She was appointed to the position after the resignation of longtime council member John Collier, who passed away in March.
Shawnee Parks and Recreation staff members Jane Wright, Kerri Foster, and Cord Bender celebrate the opening of Optimist Park Splash Pad. Photo Provided

Shawnee Parks and Recreation staff members Jane Wright, Kerri Foster, and Cord Bender celebrate the opening of Optimist Park Splash Pad. Photo Provided

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Splash around Shawnee

Amy Riggins
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Happy Summer, Shawnee! Okay, I know it technically isn’t summer season just yet, but it sure feels like summer! I hope you have a plan for staying cool during these hotter months.The Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department has some fun options to help you cool off!
Photo provided by MGMoA

Photo provided by MGMoA

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June Concerts in the Courtyard Series

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art invites the community to enjoy music under the summer sky during its annual June Courtyard Concert Series. Held every Thursday evening in June at 6:30 p.m., the free concerts offer a variety of musical performances in the museum’s picturesque courtyard.
Bethel High School Principal Jeremy Stewart gives a history of how the current policy to select Valedictorians was reached. The Bethel Board held a lengthy discussion, eventually voting unanimously to continue to look at alternatives and have this settled so it would be printed in the new handbooks. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Bethel High School Principal Jeremy Stewart gives a history of how the current policy to select Valedictorians was reached. The Bethel Board held a lengthy discussion, eventually voting unanimously to continue to look at alternatives and have this settled so it would be printed in the new handbooks. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Valedictorian policy discussed at length

Suzie Campbell By Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 11, 2026
A discussion that began with student handbooks quickly evolved into a broader debate about academic achievement, fairness, scholarships, and what it means to be named valedictorian at Bethel Public Schools.
A sign along the entryway to Serenity Hollow Retreat Center says "Place you burdens here," and the opposite side says "Leave your burdens behind." The 40-acre women's retreat is located at 20425 Kings Road and offers well-being workshops, walking trails, four themed bedrooms with adult bunk beds and an outdoor event area, as well as goats, donkeys and two dogs. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

A sign along the entryway to Serenity Hollow Retreat Center says "Place you burdens here," and the opposite side says "Leave your burdens behind." The 40-acre women's retreat is located at 20425 Kings Road and offers well-being workshops, walking trails, four themed bedrooms with adult bunk beds and an outdoor event area, as well as goats, donkeys and two dogs. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Serenity Hollow Retreat Center offers a place to leave your burdens, salve for the soul

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 11, 2026
In a world full of cell phones, busy calendars and turmoil on the news, there is a peaceful place to escape and set your mind on the right path.
Shawnee Public Library Associate Jessica Perkins stands by their new Seed Library. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee Public Library Associate Jessica Perkins stands by their new Seed Library. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee Library offers seeds

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Shawnee Public Library Associate Jessica Perkins stands by their new Seed Library. Perkins said a variety of summer seeds, including corn, beans, squash, cucumber and their most popular okra and watermelon, are provided by the OSU Extension and free to those wishing to start a garden.
Pottawatomie County Sheriff Freeland Wood decorates the grave of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Sanders, who was in WWII, at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee on May 23. Wood's son, Justin, and grandson, Everett Wood, 13, also helped to place flags, as they have for a few years, before Memorial Day. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Freeland Wood decorates the grave of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Sanders, who was in WWII, at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee on May 23. Wood's son, Justin, and grandson, Everett Wood, 13, also helped to place flags, as they have for a few years, before Memorial Day. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Flag tradition continues at Fairview Cemetery

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026

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Short June meeting for Tecumseh City Council

Julie Talton
Thursday, June 4, 2026
julie@countywidenews.com Sharon Stewart led the June Tecumseh City Council meeting with Chris Abel and Mary Carter. Mayor Eddy Parker and Linda Farris were absent from the gathering.During the short meeting, only a few items were discussed and no public comments were made.
Run for the Wall Founder James "Gunny" Gregory, left, poses with the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marines, Gene Overstreet, during the Run for the Wall food stop at Shawnee VFW Post 1317 on May 16. This is the 36th official year for the cross-country ride, and more than 200 veterans participated on the Midway Route. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Run for the Wall Founder James "Gunny" Gregory, left, poses with the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marines, Gene Overstreet, during the Run for the Wall food stop at Shawnee VFW Post 1317 on May 16. This is the 36th official year for the cross-country ride, and more than 200 veterans participated on the Midway Route. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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36th Run for the Wall stops at Shawnee VFW

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Shawnee VFW Post #1317 welcomed more than 200 veterans, mostly on motorcycles, with the Run for the Wall (RFTW) on May 16.Coming from Ontario, California, on their way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, they were traveling the Midway Route of the Run.