News

Fran Topping, Julie Talton, Renee Clemmons and Kristi Winchester pose with a check made out to Project:SAFE in the amount of $1025.00 from the Second Annual Rags 2 Runway event held April 25 at spOKeLAHOMA.

Fran Topping, Julie Talton, Renee Clemmons and Kristi Winchester pose with a check made out to Project:SAFE in the amount of $1025.00 from the Second Annual Rags 2 Runway event held April 25 at spOKeLAHOMA.

Rags 2 Runway Raises $1,025 for Project: SAFE

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Fran Topping, Julie Talton, Renee Clemmons and Kristi Winchester pose with a check made out to Project: SAFE in the amount of $1025.00 from the Second Annual Rags 2 Runway event held April 25 at spOKeLAHOMA.
PAVE hosts Senate Dist. 17 Forum

PAVE hosts Senate Dist. 17 Forum

PAVE hosts Senate Dist. 17 Forum

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Four Republican candidates for the Senate District 17 seat are on the June 16 primary election ballot. The Pottawatomie Advocates for Voter Education (PAVE) held the first of five scheduled candidate forums, giving residents the opportunity to hear directly from those vying for their vote.
Sterling Bill Targeting Nitrous Oxide Misuse Heads to Governor’s Desk

Sterling Bill Targeting Nitrous Oxide Misuse Heads to Governor’s Desk

Sterling Bill Targeting Nitrous Oxide Misuse Heads to Governor’s Desk

News Staff
Thursday, May 7, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – House Bill 1933, authored by Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, is headed to the Governor’s desk after gaining final legislative approval. The measure, known as the Maddix Bias Act, seeks to prevent the misuse of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas.
Kenneth Crawford (seated) is called as a witness for Phil Solinger. Two additional witnesses were also called on Solinger's behalf, Warren Boles, and Gary Breeden. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Kenneth Crawford (seated) is called as a witness for Phil Solinger. Two additional witnesses were also called on Solinger's behalf, Warren Boles, and Gary Breeden. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Election Board denies challenge, keeps Solinger on ballot

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 7, 2026
For the first time in at least 30 years, a candidacy filing in Pottawatomie County was formally contested.On April 16, the Pottawatomie County Election Board unanimously denied a challenge to remove Dist.
During the Tecumseh City Council May meeting, City Manager Jimmy Stokes commended Cathy Condit for the 'pretty flowers' she recently planted along Broadway

During the Tecumseh City Council May meeting, City Manager Jimmy Stokes commended Cathy Condit for the 'pretty flowers' she recently planted along Broadway

Tecumseh’s Fire Department partners with Shawnee Fire Department for downtown coverage

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, May 7, 2026
During the May City Council meeting, Tecumseh Fire Chief Rhett Butler explained the Automatic Aid Agreement with the City of Tecumseh Fire Department and the City of Shawnee Fire Department. Each department is agreeing to be auto-dispatched to structure fires within both city’s downtown areas.
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

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.
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

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

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.