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American Legion Post 16 Past Commander Keith DiPatri shows one of the many historic newspapers which have been donated to the post's collection. Several documents, photographs and military items have been preserved and displayed since the April 2023 tornado. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

American Legion Post 16 Past Commander Keith DiPatri shows one of the many historic newspapers which have been donated to the post's collection. Several documents, photographs and military items have been preserved and displayed since the April 2023 tornado. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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American Legion Past Commander restores history, reviews changes, recalls memories

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2026
With the 250th anniversary of the USA, Shawnee American Legion Post 16 Past Commander Keith DiPatri has been thinking a lot about history.
Hours before folks began to arrive for the show, Tracy Climer and his crew (primarily made up of his wife, son, and daughter-inlaw) begin unloading the gear, securing the tubes and clearing any trash from inside each tube. Photos by Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Hours before folks began to arrive for the show, Tracy Climer and his crew (primarily made up of his wife, son, and daughter-inlaw) begin unloading the gear, securing the tubes and clearing any trash from inside each tube. Photos by Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Before the fireworks begin

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2026
A spectacular fireworks finale lit up the skies on July 3, but for the man behind the show, the true goal reached far beyond dazzling colors and booming salutes.
Oklahoma Baptist University graduates Linnea Malmberg, left, and Abigail Ryan pose by a community tile artwork, which they coordinated since May, during the "Pop In to Celebrate America's 250th Birthday with Popcorn and Ice Cream" event at Shawnee Public Library on June 29. - Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Oklahoma Baptist University graduates Linnea Malmberg, left, and Abigail Ryan pose by a community tile artwork, which they coordinated since May, during the "Pop In to Celebrate America's 250th Birthday with Popcorn and Ice Cream" event at Shawnee Public Library on June 29. - Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Shawnee library, city, casinos, jazz band, veterans celebrate 250th Independence Day

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2026
On Saturday, July 4, America celebrated its 250th Independence Day.But, in Shawnee, the celebration lasted almost a week.Shawnee Public Library threw a three-day party.
Barbara Harrison, site manager for the Tecumseh Senior Center, spoke to the council. - Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Barbara Harrison, site manager for the Tecumseh Senior Center, spoke to the council. - Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Sept. 26 set for Frontier Days, Dec. 17 to be Tecumseh Christmas Parade

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tecumseh City Council met, July 6, for their regular meeting. Mayor Eddy Parker, and Council members Mary Carter and Sharon Stewart were in attendance. Future Mayor Randy Gilbert and future replacement council for Linda Farris, Tim Underwood, were both in the audience.
Bethel School Board Vice President Kevin Roland discusses his views regarding the number of valedictorians and salutatorians. The board spent some time reviewing the pros and cons of having multiple or just one of each. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Bethel School Board Vice President Kevin Roland discusses his views regarding the number of valedictorians and salutatorians. The board spent some time reviewing the pros and cons of having multiple or just one of each. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Bethel revisits valedictorian issue

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2026
The Bethel Board of Education approved the district’s 2022 valedictorian policy previously approved in 2024.
The Pottawatomie County Veterans Educational Museum is reflected in the black granite panels of the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Wall at the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial in Woodland Veterans Park. Shawnee Veterans Memorial Committee President Bill Ford recently reflected on the history of the memorial park and military museum, and retired Major General Douglas Dollar shared information on the National Society of the Scabbard and Blade opening their headquarters in the museum.

The Pottawatomie County Veterans Educational Museum is reflected in the black granite panels of the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Wall at the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial in Woodland Veterans Park. Shawnee Veterans Memorial Committee President Bill Ford recently reflected on the history of the memorial park and military museum, and retired Major General Douglas Dollar shared information on the National Society of the Scabbard and Blade opening their headquarters in the museum.

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National Society of the Scabbard and Blade prepares to open HQ in veterans museum

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Nationally, the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) has more than 1,700 units in colleges, and there are around 3,300 Junior ROTC high school units, according to an email from Retired Major General Douglas Dollar, Executive Director for the National Society of the Scabbard & Blade (NSSB).