News

Bethel Superintendent Dr. Matt Posey Photo provided

Bethel Superintendent Dr. Matt Posey Photo provided

Posey honored as Dist. 9 Superintendent of the Year

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. Dr.
Jason Marshall

Jason Marshall

Suspect flees traffic stop, search continues

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.
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

School investments continue despite public criticism

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.
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

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

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.
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

Artist Marcia Crook poses with Amanda Johnson, after Johnson chose her artwork, at the annual "Off the Wall" event at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on April 24. See full cutline below.

Artist Marcia Crook poses with Amanda Johnson, after Johnson chose her artwork, at the annual "Off the Wall" event at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on April 24. See full cutline below.

MGMoA hosts annual '"Off The Wall" event

Artist Marcia Crook poses with Amanda Johnson, after Johnson chose her artwork, at the annual 'Off the Wall' event at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on April 24. Around "200 people attended, and we raised about $11,000," said MGMoA Director of Development Sylwia Partyka in an email.
Pictured right, Shawnee's Lane Cowan poses with a helmet he made and sold at the Fifth Annual Secret Garden Medieval and Fantasy Faire held behind Shawnee Mall on April 25-26. Cowan says he will gladly participate again next time and bring more inventory, as he almost sold out. All booth owners were required to dress up for the event that brought out quite a crowd. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Pictured right, Shawnee's Lane Cowan poses with a helmet he made and sold at the Fifth Annual Secret Garden Medieval and Fantasy Faire held behind Shawnee Mall on April 25-26. Cowan says he will gladly participate again next time and bring more inventory, as he almost sold out. All booth owners were required to dress up for the event that brought out quite a crowd. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

North Rock Creek Cast and Crew are directed by Brandy Bond and choreographed by Marysa Rake and Hadley Dyer. They will be performing at the Sarkeys Performing Arts Center at St. Gregory's on April 30 - May 2 at 7 pm with an additional 2 pm on May 2. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun, See full cutline below.

North Rock Creek Cast and Crew are directed by Brandy Bond and choreographed by Marysa Rake and Hadley Dyer. They will be performing at the Sarkeys Performing Arts Center at St. Gregory's on April 30 - May 2 at 7 pm with an additional 2 pm on May 2. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun, See full cutline below.

Newsies!: NRC drama to perform at Sarkeys Performing Arts Center

North Rock Creek Cast and Crew are directed by Brandy Bond and choreographed by Marysa Rake and Hadley Dyer. They will be performing at the Sarkeys Performing Arts Center at St. Gregory's on April 30 - May 2 at 7 pm, with an additional 2 pm on May 2.
Kayxandra 'KC' Campbell (center) is joined by CACCO board members Kelly Metcalf (left), and Julana States, for a photo after receiving the Mary Ellen Wilson Award at the 2026 Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Awards held at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Apr. 24, 2026. Photo provided by ODHS

Kayxandra 'KC' Campbell (center) is joined by CACCO board members Kelly Metcalf (left), and Julana States, for a photo after receiving the Mary Ellen Wilson Award at the 2026 Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Awards held at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Apr. 24, 2026. Photo provided by ODHS

Hope for children grows in our community

During April showers, we witness new growth, newfound hope, and new beginnings. This makes April ideal for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Bethel High School Biology teacher Vanessa Jones speaks about connections between the components for zombie fires, discussed and written by her Honors Biology students, on April 23. Jones is an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Top-10 Finalist. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Bethel High School Biology teacher Vanessa Jones speaks about connections between the components for zombie fires, discussed and written by her Honors Biology students, on April 23. Jones is an Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Top-10 Finalist. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Bethel Biology Teacher State Top-Ten Finalist

Vanessa Jones is not the science teacher most people remember from high school. She doesn’t have textbooks in her classroom, and she doesn’t have her students memorizing facts.Jones uses a phenomenon-based storyline approach to teaching, and her students work together to solve science mysteries.