Sooners earn Big 12 Coach, Player and Newcomer of the Year awards

Sports

March 14, 2024

By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

Three Oklahoma Sooners were recognized in the 2023-24 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 women’s basketball awards. Oklahoma Women’s Basketball head coach Jennie Baranczyk was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year after leading the Sooners to their second consecutive regular season title.

Oklahoma’s Skylar Vann was named the Big 12 Co-Player of the Year alongside Texas’ Madison Booker. The awards were voted on by the head coaches, who could not vote for their own players. Vann averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds during Conference play while shooting an even 50.0% from the field, all of which rank among the top eight in the league.

Payton Verhulst was named the Newcomer of the Year after her outstanding season. Verhulst transferred to the Sooners after making her start at Louisville. Verhulst helped the Sooners to the regular season title by averaging 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists against Big 12 opponents, giving her a rating among the league’s top-10.

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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 thei...

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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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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,...

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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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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...