News

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

Flag tradition continues at Fairview Cemetery

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026

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

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.

Early voting begins June 11

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Early voting begins Thursday, June 11, 2026, for voters in Pottawatomie County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at their County Election Board.

County begins 2026-27 budget process

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
By SUZIE CAMPBELL suzie@countywidenews.com Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners voted to go out for bids on needed security and safety upgrades to long-discussed renovations to the county’s Juvenile Detention Center.
Pictured from left: Tracy Meeuwsen, Sr. Program Director-Data Analyst; Kayxandra Campbell, Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma Executive Director; Kathy Laster, Ph.D., President & CEO Avedis Foundation Photo provided by Avedis Foundation

Pictured from left: Tracy Meeuwsen, Sr. Program Director-Data Analyst; Kayxandra Campbell, Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma Executive Director; Kathy Laster, Ph.D., President & CEO Avedis Foundation Photo provided by Avedis Foundation

CACCO awarded $95,608

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
The Avedis Foundation awarded a $95,608 grant to the Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma (CACCO) to help expand forensic interviewing, advocacy, and mental health services for children experiencing abuse across Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Seminole Counties.
Sue Nelson, second from left, won the Michelle Briggs 'We're Here for Good' Service Award and chose the Salvation Army to receive the charity donation of $5000 that accompanied the award. Shown, during the Avedis Foundation Speaker Series Luncheon on May 28, from left, are Jill Spencer, Nelson, Salvation Army Captain Thomas Marion and Avedis CEO Dr. Kathy Laster. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Sue Nelson, second from left, won the Michelle Briggs 'We're Here for Good' Service Award and chose the Salvation Army to receive the charity donation of $5000 that accompanied the award. Shown, during the Avedis Foundation Speaker Series Luncheon on May 28, from left, are Jill Spencer, Nelson, Salvation Army Captain Thomas Marion and Avedis CEO Dr. Kathy Laster. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Avedis Luncheon honors service

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Dr.