People and Places

The Dunbar Heights Community celebrated their first Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11, 2025. The four Veterans honored in attendance were Lt. Colonel James Keel, Timmy Young, Kyle Winrow and Frank Kelly. Young led the celebration; Kelly was the guest speaker; Winrow and Keel spoke to the crowd, as well. Anice Young was invited to sing praise, and Shirley Campbell read the names of each veteran with roots in the Dunbar Heights community. See full cutline below. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

The Dunbar Heights Community celebrated their first Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 11, 2025. The four Veterans honored in attendance were Lt. Colonel James Keel, Timmy Young, Kyle Winrow and Frank Kelly. Young led the celebration; Kelly was the guest speaker; Winrow and Keel spoke to the crowd, as well. Anice Young was invited to sing praise, and Shirley Campbell read the names of each veteran with roots in the Dunbar Heights community. See full cutline below. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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County Celebrates Veterans

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Father Peter Shults speaks about his 10 years in the U.S. Army where he served as a Medic and a Procurement Specialist and about his calling into the priesthood at St. Gregory's Abbey.

Father Peter Shults speaks about his 10 years in the U.S. Army where he served as a Medic and a Procurement Specialist and about his calling into the priesthood at St. Gregory's Abbey.

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Bethel Schools celebrate Veterans

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Shawnee American Legion Auxiliary Vice President Jamie McCraw offers a necklace to Billy Heavner during the monthly bingo for nursing home residents at American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16 on Oct. 15. This is the third time the post has held the special bingo event, which is on the third Wednesday of each month now. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee American Legion Auxiliary Vice President Jamie McCraw offers a necklace to Billy Heavner during the monthly bingo for nursing home residents at American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16 on Oct. 15. This is the third time the post has held the special bingo event, which is on the third Wednesday of each month now. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Shawnee American Legion Offers Monthly Bingo to Nursing Home Residents

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
American Legion Gill-Mattox Post 16 in Shawnee has opened their doors to local nursing home residents to participate in bingo once a month.
St. Gregory’s Abbey Celebrates 150 Years of Benedictine Missions in Pott. Co.

St. Gregory’s Abbey Celebrates 150 Years of Benedictine Missions in Pott. Co.

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St. Gregory’s Abbey Celebrates 150 Years of Benedictine Missions in Pott. Co.

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee hosted a Sesquicentennial Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 12, with more than 325 guests from nearby to across the United States, Mexico and France, according to Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB (Order of St. Benedict), Abbot of St. Gregory’s.
Oklahoma Junior Chamber International Senate President Randy Sursa presents Kimberly Rawls with a certificate, lapel pen and name badge, as he declares her to be a JCI Senator, during a meeting held at Van's Pig Stand in Shawnee on Aug. 23. Photo provided

Oklahoma Junior Chamber International Senate President Randy Sursa presents Kimberly Rawls with a certificate, lapel pen and name badge, as he declares her to be a JCI Senator, during a meeting held at Van's Pig Stand in Shawnee on Aug. 23. Photo provided

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Long-time Shawnee Jaycee Member is Designated JCI Senator

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
On Aug. 23, Kimberly Rawls was prepared to have lunch with friends at Van’s Pig Stand in Shawnee. When she arrived, she was happy to be greeted by all of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) senators from across Oklahoma, as well as JCI Senate State President Randy Sursa.
Dr. Canaan Crane

Dr. Canaan Crane

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Avedis welcomes four additions to foundation’s board

News Staff
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
(Shawnee, OK) — Avedis Foundation has announced the addition of four board members.“We are thrilled to welcome four exceptional leaders to the Avedis Foundation Board,” said President and CEO Dr. Kathy Laster.
Photo Provided

Photo Provided

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Shawnee Middle School student Isaiah Lightsey interviews Leland Melvin

News Staff
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Shawnee Middle School 8th-grader Isaiah Lightsey was recently given the opportunity to interview former NFL star and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin. The interview took place at the Oklahoma History Center as part of the Pioneer Library System’s Spark the Change speaker series.
Manuela Parada Photo Provided

Manuela Parada Photo Provided

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Shawnee student completes medical internship

News Staff
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Shawnee High School proudly announces that junior Manuela Parada, Class of 2026, was selected for the highly competitive Advanced Medical & Public Health Internship offered by Leadership Initiatives.
Maud 1988 graduate Brad Hawkins is the new superintendent for Maud Public Schools. Hawkins has been a coach, teacher and elementary principal. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Maud 1988 graduate Brad Hawkins is the new superintendent for Maud Public Schools. Hawkins has been a coach, teacher and elementary principal. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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New Maud Superintendent is 1988 Alum

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Laurence Bradley “Brad” Hawkins graduated from Maud High School in 1988, and he has now returned to serve as Maud Public School’s superintendent.When asked how his alma mater has changed since then, Hawkins said it hasn’t changed a lot, except for lower enrollment, which stands at about 215.