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ODOT’s $54M investment funding highway projects

By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT

November 27, 2025

Driving on McIntosh County highways should be smoother by 2035, according to plans by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to resurface about 39 miles of I-40, U.S. 69 and other highways. ODOT ex...

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A ‘Golden Christmas’ to benefit residents

November 27, 2025

A “Golden Christmas” sponsored by the Checotah Art Guild will benefit residents at the Checotah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center again this year. Select an angel off the Golden Angel Tree located in ...

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A Thanksgiving message to our community

By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

November 27, 2025

As we head into Thanksgiving, we find ourselves reflecting on what makes our community so special. This isn’t just about where we live; it’s all the simple moments that remind us that smalltown life i...

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Candidate filing begins for Board of Education

November 27, 2025

Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, for McIntosh County school districts. Those who wish to file for a Board of Education office must submit a Declaration of Candi...

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Checotah Schools savor the holidays

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

November 27, 2025

All of Checotah Schools were a buzz as students, teachers and staff savored their last week of holiday events before Thanksgiving Break. Checotah School Choirs under Director Greg Spena performed their fall concert “Sounds of the Season” on Thursday, Nov. 20.Those in attendance enjoyed a delightful evening of music and songs by middle school and high school students. Checotah Middle School wrapped...

A: Main, News...

ODOT’s $54M investment funding highway projects

By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT

November 27, 2025

A: Main, News...

A ‘Golden Christmas’ to benefit residents

November 27, 2025

A: Main, News...

A Thanksgiving message to our community

By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

November 27, 2025

A: Main, News...

Candidate filing begins for Board of Education

November 27, 2025

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Mural dedication honors Watts’ legacy and leadership

By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER

November 27, 2025

Friends, family and officials attended a powerful moment of community pride on Monday as a new mural honoring former U.S. Congressman and Eufaula native J.C. Watts is officially dedicated at City Hall...

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A hoe-lot is happening at The Happy Hoe Farm Market

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

November 20, 2025

Who says you can’t be a Happy Hoe? The Checotah Chamber of Commerce just had a ribbon cutting for The Happy Hoe Farm Market and the talk around town is there’s a hoe-lot of good things to eat or get a...

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Another successful Veterans Day Celebration

By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

November 20, 2025

Another successful Veterans Day Celebration was hosted by Checotah Public Schools and honored all who served in the military especially local veterans on Tuesday, November 11. The special day started ...

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Upcoming Holiday Events

By 3rd Annual Feed the Community

November 20, 2025

3rd Annual Feed the Community Tuesday, Nov. 24 Dinner served from 5 p.m. until the food runs out Checotah Community Center Everyone is welcome! By TNT Power Washing Services In Memory of their mother,...

Sports

Why private schools should not compete against public schools in the Postseason

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

November 20, 2025

Why private schools should not compete against public schools in the Postseason The debate over whether private-school football teams should compete against public-school programs in the postseason ha...

Sports

OU Regents green-light major step toward $450 million stadium transformation

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

November 20, 2025

The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents took a major step Tuesday toward one of the largest capital projects in school history — approving the design development phase and authorizing the creation...

Sports

Sooners’ defense ignites chaos in 23-21 victory over Alabama

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

November 20, 2025

Oklahoma’s playmaking defense packed its biggest punch of the season Saturday, torching Alabama for 17 points off three massive turnovers and throwing the entire SEC and College Football Playoff race ...

Sports

Checotah Impact Player of the Week

November 20, 2025

The Checotah Impact Player of he Week is Jayden Lake. Lake finished with three receptions for 152 yards in the Wildcats’ 38-20 loss to Inola in the first round of the playoffs. Impact Player of the We...

B:, Sports...

No. 9 Longhorns rally to end Wildcats’ season in first-round playoff showdown

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

November 20, 2025

INOLA — For one dramatic half, the Checotah Wildcats looked poised to shock Class 3A. But a late second-quarter swing, punctuated by an 87yard pick-six with just six seconds left, ignited No. 9 Inola’...

B:, Sports...

Eufaula’s Kacin Bass riding high toward a World Championship dream

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

November 20, 2025

Kacin Bass of Eufaula has been riding to success since the first time he burst out of the chute — and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. The young cowboy has already wrangled an impressive list of ac...

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Ava Rose Johnson partners with businesses for Holiday Food Drive

November 20, 2025

Ava Rose Johnson is partnering with Community Counselors Group and True Value in a Holiday Food Drive that will help support families impacted by the recent government shutdown and cutbacks. “I am thr...

Community Calendar, lifestyle...

Area Food Drives

November 20, 2025

Haltom’s Huddle Holiday Food Drive Haltom’s Huddle Holiday Food Drive is underway. Help feed those in need in McIntosh County this Christmas. Gathering canned or dry food through Dec. 19. Drop off at ...

Community Calendar, lifestyle...

Vision Eufaula launches Shop Eufaula campaign

November 20, 2025

Vision Eufaula is proud to announce the launch of this year’s Shop Eufaula campaign, alongside our presenting sponsorship by The City of Eufaula. Shop Eufaula is a community wide effort to encourage r...

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Checotah Art Guild to host Holiday Art Show

November 13, 2025

All artists and crafters are welcome to come Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery located at 116 N. Broadway to compete in a judged Holiday Art Show & Sa...

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The Perk hosting Campbell anniversary

November 13, 2025

The Perk will be hosting an anniversary party for Jeannie and Don Campbell on Monday, Nov. 24, from 6-8 p.m. at the Perk on West Gentry. Drop by and wish them a happy anniversary.

Community Calendar, lifestyle...

Lights on Eufaula Nov. 21

November 13, 2025

Vision Eufaula presents the annual Lights on Eufaula Friday, Nov. 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Lights go on at 5:45 p.m. downtown. This kicks off the holiday shopping season with local Eufaula businesses....

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Motorcyclist killed

November 20, 2025

A 36-year-old cyclist from McAlester was killed Friday when he lost control of his vehicle on U.S. 270 and Oil Well Road, rolled through a barbed wire fence and came to rest in a field. Zachary W. Pat...

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Six FFA members attend National FFA Convention

By Staff Reports

November 20, 2025

Six Checotah FFA members and their agricultural teacher/advisors Mr. Rusty Stonebarger and Mr. Zachary Ilbery had the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana last mo...

commentary

OICA Kid Governor®, 4-H Junior Governor inspire future leaders, elevate importance of voting

By JOE DORMAN, OICA CEO

November 20, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – The work done by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), while always rewarding, can sometimes be stressful, and occasionally downright depressing. The statistics and real- w...

commentary

Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate

November 20, 2025

Over the years, I have come to realize that many of my students know little about the U.S. Constitution. And even as I speak to older generations, I realize parts of the Constitution are somewhat fore...

commentary

From pain to a platform

November 20, 2025

From the womb to the grave, God has a precise plan for each and every one of our lives. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a proph...