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A member of the Shawnee Tractor Club waves to a young boy during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on July 13, 2024. There were 75 entries in the parade. File photo

A member of the Shawnee Tractor Club waves to a young boy during the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade on July 13, 2024. There were 75 entries in the parade. File photo

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Celebrate Oklahoma’s Longest-Running Food Festival

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
McLOUD, OK, May 31, 2025 – The 2025 McLoud Blackberry Festival begins at 5 pm on Friday, June 20th, and runs all day Saturday, June 21. The festival is held in a new area of McLoud Veterans Memorial Park on 8th Street in McLoud, Oklahoma - just east of OKC.
Stacey Bateman-Woods, Attorney for the Pottawatomie County Commissioners, addresses the SCCDA Board regarding the contract to transfer IFYR intellectual property to the County. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Stacey Bateman-Woods, Attorney for the Pottawatomie County Commissioners, addresses the SCCDA Board regarding the contract to transfer IFYR intellectual property to the County. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Trust Board Finalizes IFYR Name Transfer to County

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
During the special meeting held May, 29, the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority approved the transfer of the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) intellectual property, again, to Pottawatomie County with a 5-1 vote.
Brock Ulm addressed the council regarding the rezoning of his property on 13th street. The city approved his request. Julie Talton. Countywide & Sun

Brock Ulm addressed the council regarding the rezoning of his property on 13th street. The city approved his request. Julie Talton. Countywide & Sun

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Audit positive as Council tackles roads, budget, safety

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The June Tecumseh City Council meeting started off with a presentation of the 2024 Fiscal Year Audit by Eric Russell, CPA. After the lengthy summary, all was stated to be in order and looking good.
Members of the McLoud Police Department addressed the McLoud City Council regarding the 'vote of no confidence' conducted by the FOP. Sgt. Michael O'Leary read a statement urging the Council to stop the disruptions being made by the FOP and let Chief (Kyle) Webb do his job. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Members of the McLoud Police Department addressed the McLoud City Council regarding the 'vote of no confidence' conducted by the FOP. Sgt. Michael O'Leary read a statement urging the Council to stop the disruptions being made by the FOP and let Chief (Kyle) Webb do his job. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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McLoud Council Reviews Audit, Closes Investigation Into Police Chief

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The annual audit report was presented to the Board of the McLoud City Council on Thursday, May 22.
Entomologist Neil Aker draws a crowd with Beatrice the Emperor Scorpion who turns from black to green under a flashlight during Bugfest at Shawnee Public Library on May 31. Aker is with the OSU Insect Adventure and featured several arachnids and insects which could be held or pet. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Entomologist Neil Aker draws a crowd with Beatrice the Emperor Scorpion who turns from black to green under a flashlight during Bugfest at Shawnee Public Library on May 31. Aker is with the OSU Insect Adventure and featured several arachnids and insects which could be held or pet. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Kids of all ages enjoy BugFest

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Dillon Beck, 7, of Shawnee, leads two other bicyclists during the Bike Safety Blitz at the Fun Day at Kidspace Park in Shawnee on May 30. Fun Day was part of Health Week, which is sponsored by the Avedis Foundation, and offered a variety of activities in the morning and evening. Pottawatomie Go (POGO) sponsored the bike safety event and several other events. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Dillon Beck, 7, of Shawnee, leads two other bicyclists during the Bike Safety Blitz at the Fun Day at Kidspace Park in Shawnee on May 30. Fun Day was part of Health Week, which is sponsored by the Avedis Foundation, and offered a variety of activities in the morning and evening. Pottawatomie Go (POGO) sponsored the bike safety event and several other events. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Health Week Offers Football Clinics, Fun Day

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Click on the camera banner below to see more photos from these events!
Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Jason James speaks at his first Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education meeting on June 2. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Jason James speaks at his first Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education meeting on June 2. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Renovations begin on three Shawnee Elementary Schools

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Renovations have begun on Horace Mann, Jefferson, and Will Rogers Elementary schools, as promised in the 2024 bond, according to a report from the new Director of Operations Matt Johnson to the Shawnee Public Schools Board of Education on June 2.After the meeting, Johnson explained that the...

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Commissioners okay school upgrades

Bill Rooth Bill@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The County Commission approved a multimillion-dollar project for North Rock Creek Schools to upgrade athletic facilities, alongside other agreements, during a regular meeting on June 6.North Rock Creek Schools secured a 10-year lease-purchase agreement with United Turf and Track to replace turf on...
Wanette Public Schools (WPS) awards Commissioners plaques of appreciation for their assistance in purchasing the first school buses owned by the school. Pictured from left: WPS Maintenance Supervisor Mark Rodman, WPS Principal Cindy Horn, County Commissioners Abby Thompson, Greg Rush, and Melissa Dennis, and WPS Superintendent Scott Douthit. Bill Rooth, Countywide & Sun

Wanette Public Schools (WPS) awards Commissioners plaques of appreciation for their assistance in purchasing the first school buses owned by the school. Pictured from left: WPS Maintenance Supervisor Mark Rodman, WPS Principal Cindy Horn, County Commissioners Abby Thompson, Greg Rush, and Melissa Dennis, and WPS Superintendent Scott Douthit. Bill Rooth, Countywide & Sun

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County Reviews Budget Proposals, Commissioners Recognized

Bill Rooth Bill@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
County depa r t ments presented budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year during the May 27, 2025, board meeting, with most requesting modest increases to cover rising utility, insurance, and salary costs, officials said.