News

Eja Collier, a Shawnee High School Visual Arts teacher, adds pencil sharpeners to her bag during the Pack the School event for teachers to stock up on school supplies, held at First United in Shawnee on Aug. 8. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Eja Collier, a Shawnee High School Visual Arts teacher, adds pencil sharpeners to her bag during the Pack the School event for teachers to stock up on school supplies, held at First United in Shawnee on Aug. 8. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Pack the School event helps local teachers

Shawnee, OK – August 12, 2025 — The annual Pack the School event once again united community partners, volunteers, and educators in a shared mission: ensuring teachers have the resources they need to start the school year strong.
Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun Kathy Gooding, Community Relations Coordinator for Oklahoma Complete Health, shows a coloring book to Alice McCathern, 4, of Little Axe, as Tenisha McCathern watches during the event at Shawnee Public Library on Aug. 9. There were about 10 booths with organizations handing out school supplies and free items, in addition to an OBI blood drive.

Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun Kathy Gooding, Community Relations Coordinator for Oklahoma Complete Health, shows a coloring book to Alice McCathern, 4, of Little Axe, as Tenisha McCathern watches during the event at Shawnee Public Library on Aug. 9. There were about 10 booths with organizations handing out school supplies and free items, in addition to an OBI blood drive.

'Making a Difference: School Prep for Success'

Photo Provided

Photo Provided

Library after school program available in Pottawatomie County

As the new school year approaches, Pioneer Library System is excited to offer a variety of online resources to help students of all ages succeed.Homework Help, located on the PLS website, features tools designed to support learners of all ages.
It's an egg-cellent time to exercise! The hallway in front of the gym is set up for roosting to coincide with the farming theme at TECC. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

It's an egg-cellent time to exercise! The hallway in front of the gym is set up for roosting to coincide with the farming theme at TECC. Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

THS offers dual credit chemistry course

A memorandum of understanding with Seminole State College that will allow qualified teachers at Tecumseh High School to teach concurrent enrollment courses at THS for dual credit was approved at the Aug. 11 Tecumseh School Board meeting.

McLoud Councilman questioned over City Project

On Aug. 7, what looked to be a quick special meeting of the McLoud City Council for a payment approval on the City Waterline project, turned into a flood of accusations and legal turmoil.Mayor Daniel McClure tabled this same agenda item last month, in order to allow time to seek legal advice and...
Maud Superintendent Brad Hawkins addressed the Pottawatomie County Commissioners, requesting a new mower and new engine for grounds maintenance in the district. Hawkins said he was from the Maud/Ada area and returned home July 1 after accepting the position of Superintendent. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Maud Superintendent Brad Hawkins addressed the Pottawatomie County Commissioners, requesting a new mower and new engine for grounds maintenance in the district. Hawkins said he was from the Maud/Ada area and returned home July 1 after accepting the position of Superintendent. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

County Buys Equipment

Multiple equipment purchases were approved during the Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12.Maud Public Schools' new Superintendent, Brad Hawkins, requested the use of education sales tax monies for the purchase of a new mower and a new engine.
Miss Oklahoma Tessa Dorrell shows a picture of her blue pageant dress to three six-year-olds - Sarah Sprague of Tecumseh, Kenya Lightsey of Shawnee and Sibyl Hays of McLoud - during story time on July 29. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Miss Oklahoma Tessa Dorrell shows a picture of her blue pageant dress to three six-year-olds - Sarah Sprague of Tecumseh, Kenya Lightsey of Shawnee and Sibyl Hays of McLoud - during story time on July 29. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Miss Oklahoma Reads for Story time at Shawnee Library

Two former co-workers with very different jobs now led to Miss Oklahoma Tessa Dorrell reading to children during the afternoon storytime at Shawnee Public Library on July 29.Dorrell and Shawnee Children’s Librarian Jairo Montelongo both worked with the OKC Dodgers, now Comets, minor league baseball...
Pictured are The Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty Board of Directors, including Emily Rothrock, Interim Executive Director, Patty Sue Wagstaff, Board President, and Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director- Data Analyst Avedis Foundation Photo Provided

Pictured are The Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty Board of Directors, including Emily Rothrock, Interim Executive Director, Patty Sue Wagstaff, Board President, and Tracy Meeuwsen, Senior Program Director- Data Analyst Avedis Foundation Photo Provided

Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty Receives Avedis Grant

Last week, the Avedis Foundation awarded a $20,000 Grant to Shawnee Bridges Out of Poverty to Support Getting Ahead Cohorts.

Early Voting for Mid-America Technology Center Starts Thursday, August 7

Editors Note: Mid-America Technology Center covers a very small portion of Pottawatomie County, primarily in the Wanette area.Information found on its website state: Mid-America Technology Center covers a geographical area of McClain, Garvin and parts of Cleveland, Grady, Murray, Pontotoc,...