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News
May 4, 2023
April sees tornado outbreak and drought relief
By GARY MCMANUS

Drought relief and severe weather topped April’s weather headlines with a parched northwest Oklahoma seeing its first significant moisture in months and central Oklahoma enduring a tornado outbreak. Eighteen tornadoes touched down on April 19, a day when severe weather was thought to be limited by a warm atmospheric lid above the surface. High temperatures over 90 degrees combined with a potent dryline to break that lid and initiate the storms that would eventually spawn the twisters. Of the 18 tornadoes, six were considered “strong”—EF2 or greater—with four rated at EF2 and two more considered EF3. All the tornadoes struck within 3 hours and 37 minutes, between 6:03 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. One EF3 struck the small community of Cole and damaged homes while destroying mobile homes. Another EF3 that touched down near Pink was only on the ground for 5 minutes and 6 tenths of a mile, but still damaged multiple homes and outbuildings. Possibly the most damaging tornado was an EF2 that traveled from southeast of Bethel Acres through the western and northern portions of Shawnee, including Oklahoma Baptist University and the Shawnee Mall. This multiple vortex tornado was on the ground for 15.5 miles with a maximum width of 1.3 miles and produced an 84 mph wind gust at the Shawnee Mesonet site as it passed close by. April’s tornadoes brought the preliminary 2023 total to 37, more than double the 1950-2022 January-April average of 16.5. In addition to the 18 tornadoes, large hail to the size of baseballs was reported with the storms throughout central Oklahoma. Oklahoma Emergency Management officials estimate that there were more than 34,000 power outages at the height of the storm. The Oklahoma State Dept. of Health reported 188 weather-related injuries from the event, including three fatalities.

The month’s other significant weather event had a much happier ending when a 77-county soaking rainfall broke a months-long dry spell across northern and western Oklahoma. The rain began in earnest on April 25, at which point some areas of the Panhandle had gone without significant moisture for nearly 240 days, dating back to August 2022. The statewide average precipitation total still came up short at 2.26 inches, 1.33 inches below normal and ranked as the 29th driest April since records began in 1895. April’s highest total of 5.35 inches was recorded at the Mt. Henry Mesonet site. Miami brought up the rear with 0.68 inches. Fifty-four of the Mesonet’s 120 sites finished with 2 inches or less for the month. The first 4 months of the year were still hampered by long-term deficits to the north and west of Interstate- 44, with that disparity producing the 20th driest January-April in west central Oklahoma versus the 14th wettest such period in the southeast. Statewide, the average finished at 8.96 inches, 0.67 inches below normal and ranked as the 61st wettest January-April on record.

April temperatures seemed to have two possible modes—either 5 to 10 degrees above normal through the first 20 days, or 10 to 20 degrees below normal to finish out the month. The cooler weather eventually won out and the statewide average temperature finished at 58.1 degrees to rank the month as the 40th coolest April on record at 1.4 degrees above normal. The month’s highest temperature was 96 degrees at Mangum on April 3, and the lowest came in at 14 degrees at Eva on April 6. The January-April statewide average temperature was 48.6 degrees, 0.8 degrees above normal and ranked as the 53rd coolest such period on record.

The Climate Prediction Center’s May temperature and precipitation outlooks were mostly noncommittal for Oklahoma other than increased odds of above normal precipitation across south central and southeastern Oklahoma. CPC’s May drought outlook did call for a reduction in intensity over areas to the north and west of I-44, although some of that improvement was due to the rains that fell in April. Drought is expected to persist through May in the Panhandle and far northeastern Oklahoma.

Local church supports those with disabilities
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Local church supports those with disabilities
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Last week His Ability Ministries with Checotah First Assembly of God offered training for disability friendly churches with Lonnie and Janet Nance from Unlimited Ministries of Springfield, Missouri. L...
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Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
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Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Memorial Service for Bill Duvall Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, Checotah When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah los...
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Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
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Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 17, 2025
Get ready for another funfilled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a ro...
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Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 17, 2025
Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service will be hel...
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Man facing obscenity charges
July 17, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, a 52-yearold Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfri...
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Carey trial set on rape charge
July 17, 2025
Arnold Willard Carey Jr., 28, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 9 and his rape case was placed on the Sept. 29 sounding docket for the next trial. The McIntosh County resident has been...
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Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
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Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
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Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
July 17, 2025
Class of Checotah band students were recently recognized at Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Academy (TMALA). TMALA Band Leadership was led by Ryan Edgmon, Director of Bands for Mustang Public Scho...
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Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
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Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 17, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held its Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (SAAM) last Friday, July 12, at 12 p.m. in Posey Park. The event was originally scheduled for April but was rained out. Community sup...
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News
Oktaha Trinity Baptist Church Vacation Bible School
July 17, 2025
The Great Jungle Journey An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation July 21- 25 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ages: 4-12 years Dinner will be provided.
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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
July 17, 2025
Following a competency hearing on July 9, Wilburton resident Glen Edward Calvin, 54, was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing in McIntosh County District Court at 2 p.m. Aug. 20. On a charge of...
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