News

Retired Veteran David Baker poses with the U.S. Marine Corps flag. Baker served for 11 years in Combat Arms, working on tanks, and for another 11 years in Electronics before retiring from the Marines. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Retired Veteran David Baker poses with the U.S. Marine Corps flag. Baker served for 11 years in Combat Arms, working on tanks, and for another 11 years in Electronics before retiring from the Marines. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Marine Veteran served 11 years as tanker, 11 years in electronics

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
David Baker, who now lives in Shawnee, has seen two sides of the U.S. Marine Corps life. He worked in Combat Arms as a Tanker for 11 years and in Electronic Maintenance for another 11 years before retiring.Baker grew up with four siblings, a mother, and a father who spent 22 years in the U.S.

Community Calendar

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Thursday, 6th Eastern Star — 7:30 pm, Tecumseh Masonic Lodge.Spinning Spools Quilt Guild - 7 pm, Senior Center at 400 N. Bell. Legion Karaoke - 6pm, Pot Luck. 7 pm -9 pm Karaoke, 201 E. Park, Tecumseh. $5. Grief Support Group every Thurs.
Shawnee High School senior Angel Cazares, third from right, painted this wolf to hang in the Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education room the day before the Nov. 3 meeting. Shown, from left, are board members Turner Bass, Mandy Hillhouse, Casey White, Russ Oliver, Cazares, Jeanne Swinney and President Clif Harden. Cazares also did a live painting of a wolf at the Oct. 21 Community Pep Rally. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee High School senior Angel Cazares, third from right, painted this wolf to hang in the Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education room the day before the Nov. 3 meeting. Shown, from left, are board members Turner Bass, Mandy Hillhouse, Casey White, Russ Oliver, Cazares, Jeanne Swinney and President Clif Harden. Cazares also did a live painting of a wolf at the Oct. 21 Community Pep Rally. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee School Board spotlights students

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Shawnee Public Schools Special Services Director Allyson Cleveland announced, at the Shawnee Board of Education meeting on Nov. 3, that the Special Education Department received their District Data Profile that day, and she had good news.“This report has 14 or 16 indicators on it.
Tecumseh High School Principal Jaime Griggs, School Board President Iva Bingham, State Senator Shane Jett and Ana Jett prioritize safety and mental health options with TPS parents in a breakout session led by Kathleen Kennedy (far right), President of the Center for Communication and Engagement, at the Tecumseh Public Schools Safety Community Meeting held on Nov. 3. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Tecumseh High School Principal Jaime Griggs, School Board President Iva Bingham, State Senator Shane Jett and Ana Jett prioritize safety and mental health options with TPS parents in a breakout session led by Kathleen Kennedy (far right), President of the Center for Communication and Engagement, at the Tecumseh Public Schools Safety Community Meeting held on Nov. 3. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Mental health and metal detectors

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
On Nov. 3, Tecumseh Public Schools held a Community Safety Meeting in the Alumni Center. The meeting was led by Superintendent Robert Kinsey and Kathleen Kennedy. Kennedy is the founder and president of the Center of Communication and Engagement, serving Oklahoma schools for nearly 10 years.
The most westward stop on the Empty Buildings Tour was the former Greens Corner, now remodeled and ready for new business. One of the two available rentals in this location was leased during the tour.

The most westward stop on the Empty Buildings Tour was the former Greens Corner, now remodeled and ready for new business. One of the two available rentals in this location was leased during the tour.

Shawnee hosts Empty Buildings Tour

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
On Oct. 22 and 23, the Shawnee Tourism Department hosted a walking tour of several downtown empty buildings. Ten locations signed up for the tour, which allowed for citizens and potential investors to pop in and ask questions, as well as get a visual of the site.
During the Empty Buildings Tour, this location was barricaded (and not part of the tour). The following week, high winds likely aided in the building collapse on East Main. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

During the Empty Buildings Tour, this location was barricaded (and not part of the tour). The following week, high winds likely aided in the building collapse on East Main. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

City addresses Main Street building collapse

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The property at 6 and 8 W. Main Street was previously brought before the City of Shawnee’s Dilapidated Structures hearing on February 22, 2024, following a fire at the location.
Countywide & Sun Owner and Publisher Suzie Campbell, right, presents Lacey Holt with her Pottawatomie Power Poll Top 10 lapel pin during the Awards Gala on Oct. 24. Holt tied with Michael Affentranger for 10th place. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Countywide & Sun Owner and Publisher Suzie Campbell, right, presents Lacey Holt with her Pottawatomie Power Poll Top 10 lapel pin during the Awards Gala on Oct. 24. Holt tied with Michael Affentranger for 10th place. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Holt, Affentranger earn Top Ten recognition

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Lacey Holt held a Top Ten spot in the Pottawatomie Power Awards Gala held Oct. 24, 2025.Holt was born in Shawnee but moved away in middle school. She is a Carl Albert High School graduate and attended the University of Central Oklahoma for undergrad and graduate school.
A ferris wheel was one of the attractions at the Shawnee Fall Fest at Woodland Veterans Park on Nov. 1. It was free to the public, as was the zipline, petting zoo, face painting, balloon creations and costume contests. The ferris wheel was rented from Ferris Wheel Rent in South Carolina courtesy of Pottawatomie County, Absentee Shawnee Tribe, Bison Federal Credit Union, Danfoss Power Solutions, Bison Metal Technologies and Citizen Potawatomi Nation. More than 1,400 people rode the ferris wheel.

A ferris wheel was one of the attractions at the Shawnee Fall Fest at Woodland Veterans Park on Nov. 1. It was free to the public, as was the zipline, petting zoo, face painting, balloon creations and costume contests. The ferris wheel was rented from Ferris Wheel Rent in South Carolina courtesy of Pottawatomie County, Absentee Shawnee Tribe, Bison Federal Credit Union, Danfoss Power Solutions, Bison Metal Technologies and Citizen Potawatomi Nation. More than 1,400 people rode the ferris wheel.

First Annual Fall Fest Welcomes Thousands to Woodland Veterans Park

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Dressed as characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Maggie and Brian Grinnell with Clarity MMA hand out candy to a fairy and a princess during the Tecumseh Business Treat 'r Treat on Oct. 31.

Dressed as characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Maggie and Brian Grinnell with Clarity MMA hand out candy to a fairy and a princess during the Tecumseh Business Treat 'r Treat on Oct. 31.

Downtown Treats in Tecumseh

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun