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Marijuana plant goes up in smoke
A: Main, News
January 16, 2025
Marijuana plant goes up in smoke
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Fire destroyed the Escalated Greens warehouse and offices at 1200 Birkes Road Thursday, Jan. 9, a plant where medical marijuana is produced and processed.

The spectacular blaze and resulting smoke plumb were visible for miles around.

No one was injured in what is described as the largest fire in Eufaula since the burning of the high school in 1994 which caused almost $3 million in damages.

The school fire was caused by an arsonist who also burned the First Baptist Church and Church of Christ.

Investigators are looking into the cause of Thursdays fire, which destroyed one of the city’s largest buildings, a 27,000 square foot structure where marijuana was grown, and medications manufactured.

Fire Chief Chad French estimated the damage at $3 mil- It is believed to have begun in the northwest corner of the building.

“We were unable to gain access to the back of the building because the steel gates were not operating. The owners had arrived and informed us that neither the gate nor the doors were operating. I believe the reason is that the fire had disabled the unlocking key card system that opens all entry points,” French said.

He said local businessman Zach McQuay, who has a business near the site, had some equipment that allowed firefighters to get through the steel gates.

“We were also working on making an entry point on the south side of the building by cutting the guard railing and removing the fencing so we could get our fire engines to the rear of the building,” French said.

McQuay sent one of his employees to help fire fighters with a front end loader. “This allowed us to gain two entry points to the rear. One through the steel gates once removed, and the second through the metal fencing on the south side of the building once we cut through the guard railing with our saw,” French said.

The enormous size of the building prompted French to call for help from other fire departments throughout Mc-Intosh and Pittsburg counties.

About 10 fire departments responded and Task Force 46.

There were 20 fire trucks and 46 firefighters on scene to fight the blaze.

“It took approximately 6 hours to extinguish the bulk of the fire,” French said.

At that point firefighters from other districts were released to return to their areas, but Eufaula firefighters remained until about 2 a.m. Friday morning.

“It took about 11 hours to extinguish the fire,” he said. “We had a few flair ups in the front office building because of the inside walls being brick and the exterior being metal. The material between them was difficult to access and get water on.”

A fire marshal came to the site Friday morning and determined that the fire did originate in the northwest corner of the building as French suspected.

“That’s where I originally saw the smoke,” he said.

There were no injuries of firefighters or civilians.

“While this is a great loss to the business owners, their customers and the property owner, no one was injured. No one getting injured, and no loss of life, that is a good day as a firefighter,” French said. “We are here to serve our community, to save property and save lives the best we can.”

The chief extended his gratitude all of the fire departments and other agencies who responded, including Vivian FD, Hanna FD, Porum Landing FD, FAIC FD, Texanna FD, Central High FD, Shady Grove FD, Lotawatah FD, #9 FD, Crowder FD, Emergency Management Leslie Philips, Eufaula Police Officers and McIntosh county deputies.

Also, Zach McQuay for his assistance.

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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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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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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Editor Picks
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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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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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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