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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.

Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
A: Main, News...
Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
The City of Checotah showed off its bold stripes, bright stars and brave hearts this Fourth of July after working countless hours so residents could celebrate their freedom with lots of family fun and...
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A: Main, News...
Sexual Assault Awareness Honor Walk
July 10, 2025
Friday, July 11 at 12 p.m. Posey Park, Eufaula Show your support for survivors Take a stand against violence! Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services
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A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 10, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
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Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
A: Main, News...
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
Last Thursday family and friends said goodbye to former city councilwoman Jerri Reaves who had passed away on June 26 at the age of 82. Jerri graduated from Checotah High School in 1962. In 1980, she ...
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News
Trump administration freezes over $70 million state’s education funds
By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE 
July 10, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump administration is indefinitely withholdin...
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Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 10, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
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Plumb Theatre News
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Plumb Theatre News
By MATTIE AND PAUL MALOY PLUMB THEATRE 
July 10, 2025
Never too early to start singing and the HALLELUJAH HONEYS are representative of that. Kate Andrews will be singing and playing with two other Honeys, Aubree,13, and Charlee, 10. They are some cuties ...
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Freedom Fest
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Freedom Fest
July 10, 2025
Checotah residents celebrated their freedom with lots of family fun and fireworks on July 4th weekend at Freedom Fest.
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Police training
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Police training
July 10, 2025
Recently local law enforcement trained for two days on different scenarios that might arise during traffic stops, hostage situations, domestic disturbances, and more.
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Two from area on UCO Honor Rolls
July 10, 2025
EDMOND - Two from this area have made he University of Central Oklahoma recently announced the students named to the university’s honor rolls; a distinction given to those who achieve the highest acad...
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Warriors of God, ready yourselves
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Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 10, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
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74426

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