News

Rep. Dell Kerbs updates attendees at the Feb. 20 Legislative Luncheon about HB 2686 which deals with outstanding payments owed by the state for mental health services and and HB 2687 intended to support mothers and babies after birth. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Rep. Dell Kerbs updates attendees at the Feb. 20 Legislative Luncheon about HB 2686 which deals with outstanding payments owed by the state for mental health services and and HB 2687 intended to support mothers and babies after birth. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Legislators address funding, AI, and literacy

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, March 5, 2026
At the Feb. 20 Legislative Luncheon held at CPN Cultural Center, Reps. Dell Kerbs, Danny Williams, and Danny Sterling updated constituents on mental health funding, artificial intelligence initiatives, health care reform, and education priorities.
McLoud Mayor Daniel McClure (left) and Major Alan Pinette (right) pose with Sgt. Chris Bacon and Officer Taylor Swanson. Bacon and Swanson were both given commendations for providing life saving treatment to citizens last month, on separate occasions. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

McLoud Mayor Daniel McClure (left) and Major Alan Pinette (right) pose with Sgt. Chris Bacon and Officer Taylor Swanson. Bacon and Swanson were both given commendations for providing life saving treatment to citizens last month, on separate occasions. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Offcers recognized at McLoud meeting

Cheyanna Dietz Ths, Intern
Thursday, March 5, 2026
The McLoud City Council meeting, held on Feb 26 only lasted about 45 minutes.Becky Carpenter was absent from the meeting and the rest of the council approved the consent agenda as well as the Fraternal Order of Police Contract 2026 Continuation Letter without discussion.

Community Calendar - Feb. 26 - March 5

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Thursday, 26thMcLoud City Council 6:30, City HallLegion Karaoke -  6 pm, Pot Luck. 7 pm -9 pm Karaoke, 201 E. Park, Tecumseh. $5.Grief Support Group - every Thurs. 6:30, Non-Denominational/Open to Public held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Shawnee. Q?: Contact Karen @ 405-627-6470.
Kim Smith, Instructional Coach for Tecumseh High School, prepares for the ACT Workshop. Cheyanna Dietz, Countywide & Sun Intern

Kim Smith, Instructional Coach for Tecumseh High School, prepares for the ACT Workshop. Cheyanna Dietz, Countywide & Sun Intern

Tecumseh High Schools prepares students for ACT

Cheyanna Dietz Ths Intern
Thursday, February 26, 2026
From February through the April ACT date, Tecumseh High School is preparing junior students for their upcoming tests. Teachers are providing workshops that give tips regarding the different sections on the test.
Pottawatomie County Deputy, Captain Jared Strand, presents a vehicle lease proposal to the Commissioners in an effort to maintain a manageable budget, without the spikes when requesting multiple replacement vehicles. No decision was made during the Feb. 24 meeting. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Pottawatomie County Deputy, Captain Jared Strand, presents a vehicle lease proposal to the Commissioners in an effort to maintain a manageable budget, without the spikes when requesting multiple replacement vehicles. No decision was made during the Feb. 24 meeting. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Vehicle lease proposal reviewed at County Meeting

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Pottawatomie County commissioners approved law enforcement equipment purchases, addressed homeless encampments on county property, and advanced mental health funding during their Feb. 24 meeting.
North Rock Creek High School students, along with sponsors, Kristin Grimes, Spanish teacher, and Brandy Smith, Biological Science and Health Careers Teacher stop for a group photo after volunteering at the OkMOM event held in Enid this year. Photo Provided

North Rock Creek High School students, along with sponsors, Kristin Grimes, Spanish teacher, and Brandy Smith, Biological Science and Health Careers Teacher stop for a group photo after volunteering at the OkMOM event held in Enid this year. Photo Provided

NRC volunteers at OkMOM

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, February 26, 2026
On Feb. 6 and 7, the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy (OkMOM) provided $1.33 million in free dental care to 820 Oklahomans in need, according to their press release. The event was held at the Stride Bank Center in Enid, Ok and provided 6,313 procedures.
Hats on and smiles ready, guests pose with a Dolly Parton cutout—Parton is the founder of the Imagination Library—at last year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Shawnee Public Library, a whimsical community fundraiser supporting the Pioneer Library System’s Pottawatomie County libraries. Photo by Sara McGaha/Pioneer Library System

Hats on and smiles ready, guests pose with a Dolly Parton cutout—Parton is the founder of the Imagination Library—at last year’s Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Shawnee Public Library, a whimsical community fundraiser supporting the Pioneer Library System’s Pottawatomie County libraries. Photo by Sara McGaha/Pioneer Library System

Fourth Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party to Benefit Local Libraries

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The Pioneer Library System Foundation invites the community to enter Wonderland at the 4th Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party fundraiser on Saturday, March 28.
Pictured from left: C.L. Prevost III, Senior Pastor Community Baptist Church; Rev. Matt Wiley, Senior Pastor Shawnee Presbyterian Church; Audrey Seeliger, Avedis Foundation; Dr. Kathy Laster, Avedis Foundation President and CEO; Keynote Speaker, David B. Gadberry, Lead Pastor of Lifeway Church of Kingfisher County; Josh L. Trimble, Avedis Foundation Board member; Travis Hurst, Senior Pastor, Faithco Church; and LaShane Hill, LMFT, Director Kemp MFT Clinic OBU. Photo by Chris Rettman

Pictured from left: C.L. Prevost III, Senior Pastor Community Baptist Church; Rev. Matt Wiley, Senior Pastor Shawnee Presbyterian Church; Audrey Seeliger, Avedis Foundation; Dr. Kathy Laster, Avedis Foundation President and CEO; Keynote Speaker, David B. Gadberry, Lead Pastor of Lifeway Church of Kingfisher County; Josh L. Trimble, Avedis Foundation Board member; Travis Hurst, Senior Pastor, Faithco Church; and LaShane Hill, LMFT, Director Kemp MFT Clinic OBU. Photo by Chris Rettman

Avedis Foundation hosts local clergy for appreciation dinner

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
(Shawnee, OK) — Avedis Foundation welcomed local clergy and their guests for the Foundation’s annual Clergy Appreciation event on Thursday, February 12. Nearly 90 guests and several Avedis Board members attended the dinner at OBU’s Geiger Center, which featured keynote speaker David B.