People and Places

Okie Dokie Mercantile won the Paint the Town Western IFYR Best Western Window Display and was chosen as the Overall Paint the Town Western Champion. Pictured holding the Golden Horseshoe awards is owner Christina Hernandez. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Okie Dokie Mercantile won the Paint the Town Western IFYR Best Western Window Display and was chosen as the Overall Paint the Town Western Champion. Pictured holding the Golden Horseshoe awards is owner Christina Hernandez. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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Paint the Town Western celebrates IFYR spirit, looks to grow into countywide tradition

News Staff Info@countywidenews.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Local businesses showed their Western spirit during the first annual #Paint-TheTownWesternIFYR event held in conjunction with the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR).
The Taron Family gathered for a reunion over the July 4th weekend. Five generations are pictured here: Dr. Joe Taron seated in front, then standing from left Joe “Butch” Taron, Jr., Gabby Taron, Astrid Thomas and Doug Taron. Photo provided

The Taron Family gathered for a reunion over the July 4th weekend. Five generations are pictured here: Dr. Joe Taron seated in front, then standing from left Joe “Butch” Taron, Jr., Gabby Taron, Astrid Thomas and Doug Taron. Photo provided

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FAMILY REUNION

News Staff
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Some of the Team Australia members and parents from the Australian Youth Rodeo Organisation took a moment for an interview and photo on the morning of July 17, the final day for the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. Shown, front row from left, are Kate Todd, Ruby Todd, Cade Ferguson, back row, Leigh Holley and Ruby Ruckwood. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Some of the Team Australia members and parents from the Australian Youth Rodeo Organisation took a moment for an interview and photo on the morning of July 17, the final day for the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. Shown, front row from left, are Kate Todd, Ruby Todd, Cade Ferguson, back row, Leigh Holley and Ruby Ruckwood. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Team Australia enjoys competing at IFYR

Natasha Dunagan Natasha@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 23, 2026
“Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” was a frequent refrain from announcers Monty Stephens and Rob Smets during the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) in Shawnee when a Team Australia contestant would start their ride.This year, Team Australia, which has been competing in the IFYR since 2017, includes...
Bethel's new superintendent, Mr. Jerry McCormick, has begun moving into his office. The vintage desk he sits behind has a story to it, and he is happy to share why it is a special piece of furniture. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

Bethel's new superintendent, Mr. Jerry McCormick, has begun moving into his office. The vintage desk he sits behind has a story to it, and he is happy to share why it is a special piece of furniture. Suzie Campbell, Countywide & Sun

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New Superintendent Shares Vision for Bethel

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Bethel Public Schools will begin the 2026-27 school year with new leadership at the helm. Superintendent Mr. Jerry McCormick brings a background rooted in educational leadership.
The largest class in attendance at the Earlsboro Alumni Reunion was 1971. Shown are Georgia (Lee) Herron, Jerry (Shaddox) Jones, Patsy (Stuckey) Snowden, John Melton, Twila (Longhorn) Parker, Connie (Carter) Rawls, Kay (Harp) Hall, and Deborah (Nadeau) Rasure. Photo provided

The largest class in attendance at the Earlsboro Alumni Reunion was 1971. Shown are Georgia (Lee) Herron, Jerry (Shaddox) Jones, Patsy (Stuckey) Snowden, John Melton, Twila (Longhorn) Parker, Connie (Carter) Rawls, Kay (Harp) Hall, and Deborah (Nadeau) Rasure. Photo provided

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Earlsboro Reunion Recap

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
The annual Earlsboro Alumni Reunion banquet was held Saturday, June 13, 2026, in the Wes Jeske Auditorium. Earlsboro Days, sponsored by the Town of Earlsboro was held that morning, featuring a car show, silent auction, games, vendors and food trucks on Main Street.
Tatum Roberts shared a photo of him and his horses with the Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners. Photo provided

Tatum Roberts shared a photo of him and his horses with the Pottawatomie County Board of County Commissioners. Photo provided

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IFYR contestant praises all involved in the rodeo

Suzie Campbell Suzie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Pottawatomie County Commissioners Melissa Dennis, Greg Rush, and Abby Thompson received a touching letter in recognition of their continued support for the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR).
The Countywide & Sun's Natasha Dunagan, Suzie Campbell, and Julie Talton pose in front of the first place In-Depth Reporting page. The team brought home multiple awards in its division at the Oklahoma Press Association's annual Better Newspaper Contest.

The Countywide & Sun's Natasha Dunagan, Suzie Campbell, and Julie Talton pose in front of the first place In-Depth Reporting page. The team brought home multiple awards in its division at the Oklahoma Press Association's annual Better Newspaper Contest.

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Countywide & Sun Earns State Honors

Julie Talton Julie@countywidenews.com
Thursday, June 11, 2026
The Oklahoma Press Association held their annual conference June 5 and 6 at the Embassy Suites in Norman, OK. Friday was filled with board meetings, round-table discussions and the highly anticipated “Blooper Reel.”
Pottawatomie County Sheriff Freeland Wood decorates the grave of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Sanders, who was in WWII, at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee on May 23. Wood's son, Justin, and grandson, Everett Wood, 13, also helped to place flags, as they have for a few years, before Memorial Day. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Freeland Wood decorates the grave of Army Staff Sergeant Robert Sanders, who was in WWII, at Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee on May 23. Wood's son, Justin, and grandson, Everett Wood, 13, also helped to place flags, as they have for a few years, before Memorial Day. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

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Flag tradition continues at Fairview Cemetery

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Wayne and Gloria Trotter

Wayne and Gloria Trotter

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Memories of Gloria Trotter

News Staff
Thursday, May 21, 2026
They were true journalists. The paper was a labor of love for them, and you read it in every inch of the paper. - Carla Locke-TollettShe treated me as an equal when few did when I was a 21-year-old running for office.