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News
January 16, 2025
OU’s Institute for Quality Communities partners with the City of Checotah for downtown revitalization
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER,

The University of Oklahoma’s Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) has embarked on an exciting partnership with the City of Checotah to revitalize its downtown area. Through this collaboration, OU’s Landscape Architecture students, under faculty guidance, will work to reimagine Checotah’s downtown spaces.

The project, titled “Downtown Greenspace,” aims to transform the town’s core into a more vibrant and accessible area for residents and visitors alike. The initiative focuses on three primary goals: Mayor Daniel Tarkington expressed optimism about the partnership.

“Councilman Jay Hays got the project rolling and we are excited to see what kind of new ideas they can bring to our downtown area,” Tarkington said. The project starts with community engagement, involving local voices to shape the ideas for downtown improvements, such as streetscapes, parking, planters and other aesthetic improvements.

‘We are looking for ideas and suggestions that we might not be thinking of,” Tarkington said.

The project will kick off with a site visit and community meeting on Jan. 22. Throughout the spring semester, students will conduct analyses, refine concepts, and incorporate feedback from local stakeholders. The initiative is set to conclude in May with a presentation of the final designs and a detailed booklet delivered to the Checotah Committee.

Business owners and community members are invited to this meeting on Jan. 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

IQC will take these suggestions along with their own observations and develop preliminary designs and programming ideas to guide professional redevelopment efforts.

They will then provide actionable insights for project implementation in the form of concept diagrams and presentations.

“The goal is to create a revitalized downtown that fosters community pride and provides new opportunities for events and activities,” said Dr. Leslie Palacios, the project lead from OU’s Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design.

The collaboration offers students a unique, hands-on learning experience, combining academic principles with real-world application. Over several months, the team will engage with Checotah through fieldwork, and produce detailed design concepts. The final product will include a comprehensive report featuring project background, community feedback, and concept designs.

The estimated project cost is $3,000, with $2,000 covered by a sponsorship from the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) and the remaining $1,000 funded by the City of Checotah. These funds will support student travel, materials, and other project-related expenses.

Three local scouts earn prestigious Eagle rank
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Three local scouts earn prestigious Eagle rank
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
September 18, 2025
Three local scouts received the prestigious Eagle Scout recognition on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Granite Station Cowboy Church in Checotah. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a milestone that only about si...
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Suspect awaits sanity decision in Minner case
By MICHAEL BARNES 
September 18, 2025
When a June 10 headline shook the community—Selby Minner, beloved blues musician and cultural icon, found dead—the shock reverberated through Rentiesville and far beyond. The one arrested for her murd...
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Ford holding food drive
September 18, 2025
Ford dealers around the world are joining together to conduct the World’s Largest Ford Dealer Food Drive, now through Sept. 25. The local dealership where you may drop off food is Sam Wampler’s Freedo...
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Checotah Public Schools Board Members Shine at OSSBA/COSSA Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City
A: Main, News...
Checotah Public Schools Board Members Shine at OSSBA/COSSA Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City
September 18, 2025
Members of the Checotah Public Schools Board had the opportunity to attend the recent OSSBA/COSSA Leadership Conference held in Oklahoma City, where they engaged in discussions focused on school gover...
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 18, 2025
117 FFA and 4-H students from across the state convened at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 4th Annual Capitol Camp held Sept. 3 – 4. The camp was an immersive two-day experie...
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Elaina Donahue’s Rett Run & Walk set for Sept. 20
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Elaina Donahue’s Rett Run & Walk set for Sept. 20
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 18, 2025
The Elaina Donahue Rett Run & Walk is set for this Saturday, Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. at the Checotah Sports Complex. The Rett Run last year was started by this local family in hopes to bring awareness to t...
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POW/MIA Ceremony Friday
September 18, 2025
On Friday, Sept. 19 the VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a dinner in honor of soldiers who have not returned home from battle. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Post dining room on SH 9 east.
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Flag exchange drive
September 18, 2025
VFW Auxiliary 8798 would like to help you properly dispose of your worn out flags. We will exchange your worn 3x5 United States American Flag for a brand new one. Dates will be shared over the upcomin...
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Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday
September 18, 2025
Don’t miss the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday, September 20. Come walk and show your support as locals bring awareness to suicide and how you can prevent it. “Being able to see the wa...
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P.E.O. Sisterhood awards grants
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P.E.O. Sisterhood awards grants
September 18, 2025
Chapter T, Eufaula, of the P.E.O. Sisterhood has announced the awarding of three highly competitive grants to an Oklahoma college student. Lyndsey Skaggs, president of Chapter T, made the announcement...
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Vandalism, violence and vacancy
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Vandalism, violence and vacancy
September 18, 2025
Every single day the world suffers from deliberate vandalism, disturbing violence and what I believe is a vacancy of the heart. This vacancy or state of emptiness that seems to affect so many is becau...
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