People and Places

A 1930 Ford Model A, owned by Joe Scheidt, stands out at the Downtown Auto at Sundown Car Show in Shawnee on June 14.

A 1930 Ford Model A, owned by Joe Scheidt, stands out at the Downtown Auto at Sundown Car Show in Shawnee on June 14.

Over 100 automobiles line the streets for the Downtown car show

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
After the rains cleared on Saturday, June 14, nearly 100 registered vehicles—and about 20 more unregistered—filled the stretch of Main between Beard Street and Kickapoo Avenue for the annual Downtown Auto Body at Sundown Car Show in Shawnee. The following is a list of the winners: Why Not?
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman John 'Rocky' Barrett was recently honored as the Tribal Leader of the Year at the 43rd Annual NAFOA (Native American Finance Officers Association) conference held the end of April in New Orleans. Photo provided by CPN

Citizen Potawatomi Nation Chairman John 'Rocky' Barrett was recently honored as the Tribal Leader of the Year at the 43rd Annual NAFOA (Native American Finance Officers Association) conference held the end of April in New Orleans. Photo provided by CPN

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Chairman Barrett honored as Tribal Leader of the Year

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
By TINA BRIDENSTINE, Citizen Potawatomi Nation Public Information DepartmentNAFOA ( Native American Finance Offi cers Association) honored Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett as the Tribal Leader of the Year at its 43rd annual conference at the end of April in New Orleans.
Natasha Dunagan poses with her first place Feature Story plaque at the OPA Awards Convention last weekend. 'I love writing feature stories. It is my way of helping get someone's story out to the public. It feeds the kid in me who loved listening to the grownups talk. I've always been curious about life stories.' Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Natasha Dunagan poses with her first place Feature Story plaque at the OPA Awards Convention last weekend. 'I love writing feature stories. It is my way of helping get someone's story out to the public. It feeds the kid in me who loved listening to the grownups talk. I've always been curious about life stories.' Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Countywide & Sun collects 14 OPA awards

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The annual Oklahoma Press Association Convention returned to the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort, June 6-7, and celebrated the best newspaper coverage from across the state with its 2024 Better Newspaper Contest.
A member of the Shawnee Tractor Club waves to a young boy during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on July 13, 2024. There were 75 entries in the parade. File photo

A member of the Shawnee Tractor Club waves to a young boy during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on July 13, 2024. There were 75 entries in the parade. File photo

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Celebrate Oklahoma’s Longest-Running Food Festival

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
McLOUD, OK, May 31, 2025 – The 2025 McLoud Blackberry Festival begins at 5 pm on Friday, June 20th, and runs all day Saturday, June 21. The festival is held in a new area of McLoud Veterans Memorial Park on 8th Street in McLoud, Oklahoma - just east of OKC.
David Henry, pictured above, will be presented with the 2025 'We’re Here for Good’ Service Award at the Avedis Foundation’s Speaker Series luncheon on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, OK. Those who wish to attend this free event are encouraged to register at gopogo.org/healthweek. Photo provided

David Henry, pictured above, will be presented with the 2025 'We’re Here for Good’ Service Award at the Avedis Foundation’s Speaker Series luncheon on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, OK. Those who wish to attend this free event are encouraged to register at gopogo.org/healthweek. Photo provided

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Avedis Foundation to honor David Henry and welcome former NRL Safety and speaker Shamiel Gary

News Staff
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Foundation to present ‘We’re Here for Good’ Service Award May 29.
Jessica Nickerson

Jessica Nickerson

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SCI Chief of Staff named to 2025 Achievers Under 40

News Staff
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Shawnee, OK (April 22, 2025) — South Central Industries (SCI) is proud to announce that Jessica Nickerson, Chief of Staff and Director of Community & Housing Development, has been named to The Journal Record’s 2025 Achievers Under 40, honoring young leaders across Oklahoma who are making meaningful...
Shawnee Public Schools Director of Library Services and Middle School Librarian Cherity Pennington pauses for a photo in the United Arab Emirates. Pennington was invited to speak at the first ALA Sharjah School Librarians Conference in April. Photo courtesy of Cherity Pennington

Shawnee Public Schools Director of Library Services and Middle School Librarian Cherity Pennington pauses for a photo in the United Arab Emirates. Pennington was invited to speak at the first ALA Sharjah School Librarians Conference in April. Photo courtesy of Cherity Pennington

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Pennington Represents SPS in United Arab Emirates

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
It was the first conference of its kind and the first time Cherity Pennington got to travel internationally.
Kitt Wakeley

Kitt Wakeley

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ECU to Honor Alumnus Kitt Wakeley

Kitt Wakeley
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
ADA, Oklahoma – East Central University (ECU) is proud to announce that distinguished alumnus Kitt Wakeley will be honored at the university’s Evening of Honors and Recognition event on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m.
Family members of the late Air Force veteran Tom Combs traveled from Nebraska, Missouri, Altus and Moore for the rededication ceremony of the bingo hall at American Legion Post #16 in Shawnee on March 29. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Family members of the late Air Force veteran Tom Combs traveled from Nebraska, Missouri, Altus and Moore for the rededication ceremony of the bingo hall at American Legion Post #16 in Shawnee on March 29. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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American Legion Post #16 Rededicates Bingo Hall

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
The Shawnee American Legion Post #16 reopened six months ago - since it was renovated after the 2023 tornado - but something was missing.
Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz was recently named a finalist for the 2025 Oklahoma Book Awards. The event will take place on May 16 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Photo provided by SSC

Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz was recently named a finalist for the 2025 Oklahoma Book Awards. The event will take place on May 16 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Photo provided by SSC

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SSC Professor Named Finalist for Oklahoma Book Award

News Staff
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Seminole State College Assistant Professor of English Paul Juhasz has been named a finalist for the 2025 Oklahoma Book Award in poetry for his latest collection, “The Fires of Heraclitus.