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Bethel sixth- and seventh-graders Isabel Fitzgerald, Madison Jones, Noah Gascon and Everett Quirk won top honors at the Oklahoma Junior Academic Bowl recently. Photo provided

Bethel sixth- and seventh-graders Isabel Fitzgerald, Madison Jones, Noah Gascon and Everett Quirk won top honors at the Oklahoma Junior Academic Bowl recently. Photo provided

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Two academic teams win state

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Bethel Middle School has been sending teams to the Oklahoma Junior Academic Bowl for many years, and they have had five first-place wins between the years of 2012 and 2024.But this year, for the first time, they have two teams that took home top honors.Both their sixth- and seventh-grade team and...
The Dale Lady Pirates celebrate with a dogpile after winning the Class 4A Slow Pitch State Championship at FireLake Ball Fields on May 5. The Lady Pirates narrowly beat Silo, 18-17, as well as Coalgate, 14-5, and Howe, 15-0. They end their season with a record of 39-4. See next week's Countywide & Sun (May 14, 2026) for the full story and more photos. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

The Dale Lady Pirates celebrate with a dogpile after winning the Class 4A Slow Pitch State Championship at FireLake Ball Fields on May 5. The Lady Pirates narrowly beat Silo, 18-17, as well as Coalgate, 14-5, and Howe, 15-0. They end their season with a record of 39-4. See next week's Countywide & Sun (May 14, 2026) for the full story and more photos. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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4A STATE CHAMPIONS: Dale Lady Pirates Celebrate!

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tecumseh fire brings support from all around

Tecumseh fire brings support from all around

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Tecumseh fire brings support from all around

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
A structure fire at the Jordan Contractor's mechanic shop on May 6 brought fire and rescue responders from Shawnee, Bethel, Earlsboro and Tecumseh, as well as Absentee and CPN Tribal officers to help barricade the area around 4th Street and Maple in downtown Tecumseh.
Bethel Superintendent Dr. Matt Posey Photo provided

Bethel Superintendent Dr. Matt Posey Photo provided

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Posey honored as Dist. 9 Superintendent of the Year

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Shawnee, OK (April 24, 2026) – The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators (OASA) is pleased to announce Dr. Matt Posey of Bethel Public Schools as the 2026 OASA District 9 Superintendent of the Year.
Jason Marshall

Jason Marshall

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Suspect flees traffic stop, search continues

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
On Tuesday morning, while one member of the Emergency Management Office was at the weekly County Commissioners’ Meeting, two others were providing drone support to the Sheriff’s Office during a manhunt in Dale.A statement provided to the public on the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma,...
Grove Superintendent Mark Bowlan addresses the Board of County Commissioners. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Grove Superintendent Mark Bowlan addresses the Board of County Commissioners. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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School investments continue despite public criticism

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and handled a full agenda that ranged from public criticism of a building purchase to school construction projects, funding transfers, and emergency management updates.During public comment, Rob Morris questioned...
Attorney Joe Vorndran attempts to clarify the proposed processed for consolidating bank accounts. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Attorney Joe Vorndran attempts to clarify the proposed processed for consolidating bank accounts. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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SCCDA moves to consolidate bank accounts, prepares for audit and dissolution

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority (SCCDA) Board of Trustees used a special meeting to approve prior minutes and take key steps toward consolidating bank accounts as the trust moves toward dissolution and an upcoming audit.Chair Randy Gilbert called the April 29 special meeting to...
Earlsboro students pause from their County Buildings Tour to pose with a photo of HN (FMF) Eric D. Warren, the son of one of their teachers. Warren passed away on May 26, 2012, while serving in Afghanistan; he was 23 years old. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Earlsboro students pause from their County Buildings Tour to pose with a photo of HN (FMF) Eric D. Warren, the son of one of their teachers. Warren passed away on May 26, 2012, while serving in Afghanistan; he was 23 years old. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

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Earlsboro, Tecumseh students tour county buildings

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026