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Troop 477 Eagle Scout Lucas Schafer, 16, salutes the U.S. flag after posting the colors, as veterans Bill Ford and Jerry Shiles, State Senator Shane Jett and former State Rep. Justin Wood and others do the same, during the Shawnee Memorial Day ceremony at Woodland Veterans Park on May 25. Jett and Wood spoke at the event. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Troop 477 Eagle Scout Lucas Schafer, 16, salutes the U.S. flag after posting the colors, as veterans Bill Ford and Jerry Shiles, State Senator Shane Jett and former State Rep. Justin Wood and others do the same, during the Shawnee Memorial Day ceremony at Woodland Veterans Park on May 25. Jett and Wood spoke at the event. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Fallen heroes remembered

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 28, 2026
The local Memorial Day ceremonies began at the Pottawatomie County Educational Veterans Museum, at 331 N. Broadway in Shawnee, for a Gold Star Families Event.During the event on May 25, Shawnee Veterans Memorial Committee Chairman Bill Ford gave an update on the museum.Ford announced that the...
Wayne and Gloria Trotter

Wayne and Gloria Trotter

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Memories of Gloria Trotter

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
They were true journalists. The paper was a labor of love for them, and you read it in every inch of the paper. - Carla Locke-TollettShe treated me as an equal when few did when I was a 21-year-old running for office.
Roberta Lewis

Roberta Lewis

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PAVE hosts District 27 House of Representatives Forum

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Pottawatomie Advocates for Voter Education (PAVE) hosted a candidate forum on May 12, 2026, for candidates for the OK House of Representatives Dist. 27, incumbent Danny Sterling and candidates Roberta Lewis and Shoney.Below, the Countywide & Sun chose to publish a few of the questions asked.
John Dmytryk adds styrofoam to the densifier, as Sammy Thompson collects the styrofoam log which the densifier produces, in the Shawnee Pioneer Library parking lot on May 9. The University Lutheran Church Green Team from Norman collected enough #6 Styrofoam to produce nine logs that day, which will eventually go to a plastics broker, then to a manufacturer. They also collect styrofoam egg cartons to pass on to their "Poultry Partners" and will return to the library on Oct. 10.

John Dmytryk adds styrofoam to the densifier, as Sammy Thompson collects the styrofoam log which the densifier produces, in the Shawnee Pioneer Library parking lot on May 9. The University Lutheran Church Green Team from Norman collected enough #6 Styrofoam to produce nine logs that day, which will eventually go to a plastics broker, then to a manufacturer. They also collect styrofoam egg cartons to pass on to their "Poultry Partners" and will return to the library on Oct. 10.

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Styrofoam recycled at Shawnee Public Library

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene, can take up 30 percent of space in landfills and takes 500 years to decompose, according to the Society of Environmental Journalists website.With this in mind, the University Lutheran Church Green Team, out of Norman, began its Styrofoam recycling project in...
Mayor Eric Stephens passed out challenge coins to the middle school representatives of Shawnee who will be traveling to Nikaho, Japan for the Sister Cities Program. See full cutline after the story.

Mayor Eric Stephens passed out challenge coins to the middle school representatives of Shawnee who will be traveling to Nikaho, Japan for the Sister Cities Program. See full cutline after the story.

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Sister Cities Delegation Recognized, Shawnee Forward Contract Fails in Split Vote

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The May Shawnee City Council meeting started off with an introduction of the Shawnee 2026 student/teacher delegation for the Sister Cities exchange trip to Nikaho, Japan.
Gloria Trotter and Suzie Campbell pose at the 2015 Oklahoma Press Association Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City. Photo provided

Gloria Trotter and Suzie Campbell pose at the 2015 Oklahoma Press Association Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City. Photo provided

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One interview, countless memories

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Before diving into this story, I should say that I know I am breaking the rules by writing this in the first person.

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Shawnee Celebrates New MRI Technology

News Staff
Thursday, May 14, 2026
SHAWNEE, Okla. – SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee has expanded its imaging services with the recent installation of a new MRI system, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and improving the overall patient experience.
Tecumseh High School Band Director, John Outon poses with Drum Major Cheyanna Dietz at the last band concert of their high school careers on May 4, 2026. Photo provided

Tecumseh High School Band Director, John Outon poses with Drum Major Cheyanna Dietz at the last band concert of their high school careers on May 4, 2026. Photo provided

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John Outon has left the building

Cheyanna Dietz Ths Intern
Thursday, May 14, 2026
John Outon has been the band director at Tecumseh High School for 26 years.Throughout that time, he has taught many students and fostered their minds by teaching them love for music.He is truly the teacher parents hope their students will have.Since he has inspired so many students on di erent...