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Venables receives raise and new six-year contract
Sports
June 27, 2024
Venables receives raise and new six-year contract
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR,

Oklahoma’s Board of Regents on Friday, approved a contract extension and raise for head football coach Brent Venables ahead of his third year as Sooners coach. Venables received a new six-year deal worth $51.6 million that will keep him at OU through the 2029 season. He will earn an average of $8.6 million annually for the duration of the contract, including a salary of $8.15 million in 2024 ($7,225,000 this year, plus an annual base salary of $325,000 and an annual installment of $600,000 that goes toward retirement).

Venables was originally hired as Oklahoma’s coach in December 2021, when he was signed to a six-year, $43.5 million deal to take over the program following Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC. Venables earned $7 million in his first season at OU, and that salary increased to $7.1 million last season, when he was the 17th-highest paid head coach in college football.

Running backs coach DeMarco Murray and defensive ends coach Miiguel Chavis also received a bump in pay. Murray’s new deal runs through Jan. 31, 2027, and while he will maintain a base salary of $285,000, his total compensation over the duration of his contract will increase considerably, to $2,525,000 through the end of his deal.

Murray will earn $800,000 for the upcoming season, which will be Oklahoma’s first in the SEC. That’s a singleseason raise of $225,000 from the $575,000 in total compensation that was originally approved in January. Murray’s outside income, on top of the $285,000 base salary, will increase from $290,000 for the upcoming season to $515,000. Murray’s outside income will increase to $565,000 in 2025, bringing his total compensation for that year to $850,000. The final year of his deal is worth $875,000 in total compensation, with his outside income growing to $590,000.

Chavis’ new contract runs through Jan. 31, 2027, with a base salary of $285,000. His total compensation over the next three seasons comes to $2.17 million. He will earn $690,000 in total compensation this season, with $405,000 of that coming from outside income. That’s a $40,000 increase from the previously approved raise he received in January.

Chavis’ total compensation will increase to $740,000 on Feb. 1, 2025, and remain there through the end of his contract. In addition to the $285,000 base salary, he will receive $455,000 in outside income in each the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Reindeer lands in Kiwanis Park
News
Reindeer lands in Kiwanis Park
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
December 25, 2025
Families gathered at Kiwanis Park on Thursday, Dec. 18, to celebrate the holiday season with festive cheer and a cup of Christmas cheer. The Eufaula Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Hot Chocolate...
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News
Checotah man dies in accident
December 25, 2025
A 57-year-old Checotah man died in a single- vehicle accident in Muskogee on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Kenneth S. Fuget was killed when he was traveling north on S. 105th St. E. at about 4:30 a.m. when his ve...
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News
Competency hearing set for singer’s killer
December 25, 2025
A competency hearing for Louis Carl Guenther, 68, of Checotah, has been set for 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27. Guenther is accused of beating and stabbing to death his sister, blues musician Selby Minner...
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News
Feeding All Souls this Christmas
December 25, 2025
The 17th Annual Feeding All Souls Christmas Dinner will be on Thursday, Dec. 25 from for any soul who needs to be fed. Church members from Mt Olive Star Baptist Church will be cooking at the Multi-Pur...
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Christmas is never an option, it’s a must
News
Christmas is never an option, it’s a must
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
December 25, 2025
A host of friends helped Options Inc. celebrate the holiday season during their annual Christmas party at the Methodist Mission this month. A huge group of volunteers which even included Rep. Neil Hay...
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May your season be bright and joyous
commentary
May your season be bright and joyous
By JOE DORMAN, OICA CEO 
December 25, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – I hope each of you is looking forward to the upcoming Christmas break and will have time to spend with loved ones. As a Christian, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and is a ver...
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Christmases past and present
commentary
Christmases past and present
December 25, 2025
Christmas always brings a flood of emotions every year as I try to navigate all the changes of my Christmases past to my Christmas present. For so many years I had my whole family beside me each Chris...
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Legislative year one wrapping up
commentary
Legislative year one wrapping up
By REP. TIM TURNER 
December 25, 2025
It’s the end of my first year in office representing District 15. It’s been very interesting to say the least. I wouldn’t trade this time for anything. In addition to helping with numerous constituent...
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News
Two plead guilty to aiding a toddler to vape
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
December 25, 2025
The couple charged with child abuse for assisting their toddler to vape have pled guilty. Rachael Marie Lane, 28, Eufaula, and Donte Jordan Smith, 32, Tulsa were charged with enabling child abuse and ...
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Dan Kirby conviction of involuntary manslaughter charge overturned
News
Dan Kirby conviction of involuntary manslaughter charge overturned
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
December 25, 2025
In March 2023, former Eufaula City Councilman Dan Kirby was indicted in federal court for involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country in connection with a motorcycle accident on July 23, 2022 that clai...
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Free Christmas dinner at VFW
December 25, 2025
Eufaula VFW Auxiliary Post 8798 will host Christmas dinner on Thursday, Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Donations accepted.
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