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Former Shawnee school board member Larry Walker thanks the present school board during their meeting on Jan. 6. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

Former Shawnee school board member Larry Walker thanks the present school board during their meeting on Jan. 6. Countywide & Sun/Natasha Dunagan

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Public Voices Opinions on Espolt, Shawnee School Board Approves Resignation

Natasha Dunagan
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Three people expressed their opinions concerning the recent resignation of former Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Aaron Espolt at the Shawnee Board of Education meeting on Jan. 6. All three agreed that the Board should not accept the resignation and fire him instead.
The Thomas Arnold Conference room, located inside the Pottawatomie County Administration Building is where the photo above (taken by Rachel Cleere Photography) will hang in honor of Arnold and his many years of service to Pottawatomie County. File photo

The Thomas Arnold Conference room, located inside the Pottawatomie County Administration Building is where the photo above (taken by Rachel Cleere Photography) will hang in honor of Arnold and his many years of service to Pottawatomie County. File photo

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MARCH

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
March brought a sense of momentum across Pottawatomie County, particularly in Shawnee, where the city continued to recover from the tornado. Shawnee’s Civic & Cultural Development Authority worked on preparing for the 32nd International Finals Youth Rodeo, which was set to take place in July 2024.
Everyone applauds as Shawnee YMCA CEO Mike Jobe cuts the ribbon, with the help of board members, employees, and others, to officially reopen the Troy and Dollie Smith Family YMCA on April 6, almost a year after it was hit by the April 19, 2023 tornado. Jobe later said approximately 1,800 people attended the Grand Reopening party. File photo

Everyone applauds as Shawnee YMCA CEO Mike Jobe cuts the ribbon, with the help of board members, employees, and others, to officially reopen the Troy and Dollie Smith Family YMCA on April 6, almost a year after it was hit by the April 19, 2023 tornado. Jobe later said approximately 1,800 people attended the Grand Reopening party. File photo

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APRIL

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
April was marked by several key developments across Pottawatomie County, with the focus on community investment and infrastructure upgrades. Shawnee’s ongoing tornado recovery efforts remained a top priority, with the Shawnee Board of Education working on $1.
The Oklahoma Honor Society Top Ten Percent Award went to, back row, seniors Coalton Reece, Conner Murray, Andrea Knight, Serenity Jacoway, Sami Schweighardt, Julian Borromeo, Oliver Daugherty, front row, Sarah Miller, Harley Scott, Jay Ahlstrom, Karsyn McDonald, Darcee Souders and Calyn Harris during the Tecumseh High School Academic Awards on May 7. Photo provided

The Oklahoma Honor Society Top Ten Percent Award went to, back row, seniors Coalton Reece, Conner Murray, Andrea Knight, Serenity Jacoway, Sami Schweighardt, Julian Borromeo, Oliver Daugherty, front row, Sarah Miller, Harley Scott, Jay Ahlstrom, Karsyn McDonald, Darcee Souders and Calyn Harris during the Tecumseh High School Academic Awards on May 7. Photo provided

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MAY

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
May ushered in even more community-driven efforts, particularly in the field of education. Shawnee Public Schools celebrated the completion of a $1.045 million bond project, which helped fund security upgrades and facility repairs across several schools in the district.
Anise Young sings “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans at the Juneteenth Reception, held at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort on June 21. Other musical entertainment at the event included the Alpha Phi Alpha and Beta Eta Lambda Stomp Show, Cletis Lowe, and the trio of Barbara Cooks, Galian Murphy and Willie Huffman. File photo

Anise Young sings “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans at the Juneteenth Reception, held at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort on June 21. Other musical entertainment at the event included the Alpha Phi Alpha and Beta Eta Lambda Stomp Show, Cletis Lowe, and the trio of Barbara Cooks, Galian Murphy and Willie Huffman. File photo

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JUNE

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The month of June was marked by festivities and a collective sense of pride across the county. Shawnee, Tecumseh, and Earlsboro all hosted major celebrations that brought their communities together.
Shawn Edwards, Franklin Edwards and Clarence Bernard attach the U.S. flag to hoist it for the first time on a newly installed 25-foot flagpole at the Brooksville town limits, June 28. File photo

Shawn Edwards, Franklin Edwards and Clarence Bernard attach the U.S. flag to hoist it for the first time on a newly installed 25-foot flagpole at the Brooksville town limits, June 28. File photo

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JULY

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
In July, Wanette Schools had been without buses for the past 3-4 years, relying on loans from a transportation company. However, new Superintendent Scott Douthit presented a plan to purchase two used buses, pending approval from the school board.
Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Aaron Espolt speaks to the Shawnee Board of Education at the Aug. 5 meeting. The board room was recently remodeled and the windows replaced.

Shawnee Superintendent Dr. Aaron Espolt speaks to the Shawnee Board of Education at the Aug. 5 meeting. The board room was recently remodeled and the windows replaced.

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AUGUST

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Seventh Annual FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival was a standout event, attracting an estimated 60,000 attendees. With highlights like a Dynamic Skies drone show, camel rides, and a touch-a-truck event, the festival provided fun for all ages.
Dace Dockrey, age 9, drives a garden tractor through the obstacle course of the Peewee and Midget Tractor Operator Contest, as Fair Board Member Lynn Marlow, points to where he needs to go, on Sept. 6 at the Pottawatomie County Free Fair. File photo

Dace Dockrey, age 9, drives a garden tractor through the obstacle course of the Peewee and Midget Tractor Operator Contest, as Fair Board Member Lynn Marlow, points to where he needs to go, on Sept. 6 at the Pottawatomie County Free Fair. File photo

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SEPTEMBER

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
In Shawnee, 2024 marked the dissolution of the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority (SCCDA), which had overseen the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center for 48 years.
Cindy (Cooper) Parsons, far left, and her brother Rodney Cooper compete in BMX racing at one of the two tracks in Shawnee in the late 1970s. Parsons and Cooper will be inducted into the Oklahoma BMX Hall of Fame on Oct. 12. Photo provided

Cindy (Cooper) Parsons, far left, and her brother Rodney Cooper compete in BMX racing at one of the two tracks in Shawnee in the late 1970s. Parsons and Cooper will be inducted into the Oklahoma BMX Hall of Fame on Oct. 12. Photo provided

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OCTOBER

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
One of the standout moments in October was the induction of Cindy Parsons, Shawnee’s first female BMX racer, into the Oklahoma BMX Hall of Fame in October. This honor, shared with her brother Rodney “Hot Rod” Cooper, highlighted their trailblazing roles in the 1970s BMX racing scene.
Miss Frontier Days Jalee Meyers poses with Marco Villa and Miguel Ramirez, with El Malecon, who received Business Renovation of the Year during the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, held at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort on Nov. 21. File photo

Miss Frontier Days Jalee Meyers poses with Marco Villa and Miguel Ramirez, with El Malecon, who received Business Renovation of the Year during the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, held at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort on Nov. 21. File photo

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NOVEMBER

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
As 2024 draws to a close, Pottawatomie County and its communities have experienced a year of both progress and challenges.