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More abandonment means more volunteers needed
A: Main, News
September 12, 2024
More abandonment means more volunteers needed
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

McIntosh County as a whole has seen its fair share of animals being abandoned. Eufaula pound has picked up four dogs just this past week and local shelters like Happy Paws in Checotah has also seen the increase. Even the rescue organization Paws N Claws-Eufaula has had an overwhelming increase with residents reaching out and asking for help because of the number of animals being dumped almost daily in the county. This increase has caused the need for more volunteers, additional foster homes and extra awareness for the community that responsible owners get their animals spayed or neutered.

“I’ve been doing this for 16 years and it’s never ending,” Kate Paris with Happy paws stated. “It’s just so sad and depressing. We have transported out over 20,000 and spayed and neutered over 40,000 and there is still no end in sight.”

Since starting the Paws N Claws-Eufaula organization to help find homes for the pound pups brought in to the Eufaula pound, which is not a shelter and so it has a 10-day policy before being euthanized, volunteers like Lori Powell-Fells now are feeling the pressure that they may not be able to save every dog that comes into the pound.

“Since we started in January no pound pups have been euthanized but every day we worry that this will be the day we can’t find someone to step up and help,” Powell-Fells said. “We have been able to rescue and rehome 21 from the pound and twice as many in the community as people have reached out day after day asking for our help. However, at this rate there in no way of staying ahead of the game if people keep dumping their animals like they are trash to be discarded. People think it cost too much to get them spayed or neutered, but believe me it costs even more to feed those extra mouths each month and it’s costing our community in the long run. That’s why we have to see change in our county, starting with getting animal control in Eufaula. They also hope others will become advocates and volunteers to help save these poor animals from an ill-fated circumstance due to irresponsible owners.”

Besides helping at the pound, Paws N Claws-Eufaula has also started a Free Pet Pantry located at the Eufaula Indian Journal where people who are struggling to feed their pets can go by and pick up a gallon bag or two of dog food or cat food. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and donations are also accepted and go directly to the abandoned and neglected animals.

“The best thing any owner can do for their pet is to get them spayed or neutered for their own safety and health,” Powell-Fells said. “Believe me when I say it’s for your sanity and ours too.”

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
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D is for Duvall
A: Main, News...
D is for Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 11, 2025
When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
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A: Main, News...
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
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Checotah FFA earns historic award
A: Main, News...
Checotah FFA earns historic award
September 11, 2025
The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
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A: Main, News...
Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling
By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT 
September 11, 2025
Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
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Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
A: Main, News...
Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
September 11, 2025
Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
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A site out of this world
A: Main, News...
A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 11, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
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Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
News
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
September 11, 2025
Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
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Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
News
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
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News
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
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News
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 11, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
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MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
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Checotah, OK
74426

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