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Measures signed by Gov. Stitt
News
May 9, 2024
Measures signed by Gov. Stitt
By REP. NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302S

Last Thursday was the deadline to pass bills through the opp os i t e chamber. In total, both chambers approved 491 bills, with the House approving 230 Senate measures and the Senate passing 261 House bills. On Monday, the Governor signed 35 bills into law, including two that I authored.

House Bill 1805 will impact the retirement benefits of licensed emergency medical personnel employed by the state. Under this legislation, emergency medical personnel are designated hazardous duty members of the retirement system. The goal is to support emergency workers, ensuring they receive enhanced retirement benefits and increased contributions that more accurately align with the hazardous nature of their jobs.

Qualifying emergency medical personnel includes emergency medical responders, technicians and paramedics working for a participating OPERS employer. Under HB1805, hazardous duty members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) receive increased retirement and pension benefits than non-hazardous duty employees.

The other signed measure, House Bill 3085, permits retail and wholesale fireworks distributors to sell skyrockets with sticks to state-licensed outdoor display operators and authorizes the use of such skyrockets in commercial aerial displays performed by these operators.

I greatly appreciate the Governor’s and my colleagues’ support in the Legislature. With just a few weeks remaining in session, it’s important to note that the Oklahoma Constitution mandates that the Legislature’s regular session conclude by five p.m. on the last Friday in May each year.

Lastly, I would like to express my condolences and offer my thoughts and prayers to those affected by the recent tornadoes and severe weather. I want to thank all the volunteers, elected officials, and law enforcement who assisted in the relief efforts. Your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-557-7302 or neil. hays@okhouse.gov.

Rep. Neil Hays, a Republican, serves District 13 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner County.

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Operators of daycare center accused of abuse
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
October 9, 2025
A Checotah couple running a daycare center out of their home are accused of abusing children under their care, according to police. After a lengthy investigation that began on July 7, Checotah police ...
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Sports
Eufaula Cross Country High School Schedule
October 9, 2025
October 18th (Sat.) Regional Meet @ TBD • TBD • Girls distance 2 mile | Boys distance 5k October 25th (Sat.) State Meet @ North Rock Creek
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2025 Checotah Wildcats Football Schedule
Sports
2025 Checotah Wildcats Football Schedule
October 9, 2025
Oct. 10 Stigler 7 p.m. Away Oct. 16 Holland Hall 7 p.m. Home Oct. 24 Lincoln Christian 7 p.m. Away Oct. 31 Idabel (Senior Night) 7 p.m. Home Nov. 7 Eufaula 7 p.m. Away
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SYATP After Gathering stirred a fire in local youth
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SYATP After Gathering stirred a fire in local youth
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What can happen when one soul catches on fire and passes that fire along to another? A whole school can catch on fire for Jesus and spread for decades from generation to generation. That’s how See You...
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Annual BBQ Banquet
October 2, 2025
Freedom House Adult and Teen Challenge will host their 5th Annual Barbecue Banquet and Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 4. The community is invited to purchase tickets and come enjoy an evening o...
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Couple get deferred sentences in animal cruelty case
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Couple get deferred sentences in animal cruelty case
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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A husband and wife who were charged last year with animal cruelty pled guilty Friday, Sept. 26 and each were given five-year deferred sentences. Morgan Alayne Bateman, 39, lists her home as Checotah, ...
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Man makes Alford plea in lewd act case
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Man makes Alford plea in lewd act case
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Randy Dwayne Stegall, 64, of Checotah has entered an Alford plea to performing a lewd act in front of a woman and her two children. An Alford plea registers a formal admission of guilt to charges in c...
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Big Breakfast Fundraiser this Saturday
October 2, 2025
For a $10 donation enjoy Farm Fresh Eggs, Blue & Gold Sausage, Pancakes, Homemade from scratch Biscuits & Gravy, Orange Juice & Coffee At the Checotah Masonic Lodge #86 at 625 W. Gentry, Checotah All ...
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 2, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is offering free coffee and donuts during two Domestic Violence Awareness Month events in October. On Friday, October 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Nichols Market, 200 S. 2...
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Invasion by armyworms an annual lawn problem
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Invasion by armyworms an annual lawn problem
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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About this time every year wide swaths of territories in Oklahoma are attacked by an infestation of armyworms – also known as cutworms. Technically, they are classified under the genus Spodoptera and ...
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Walters resigns to fight unions
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October 2, 2025
State Superintendent Ryan Walters said nothing about his pending resignation during what was expected to be his last Board of Education meeting, one day after he announced on FOX News that he planned ...
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