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Community savors 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off
A: Main, News
March 6, 2025
Community savors 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER,

It was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili during the 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off in Checotah on Feb. 22. The community showed up as 21 competitors showed out with some serious spicy chili and some delightful desserts at the Checotah Senior Community Center. The yearly cook-off heated up the town as it brought in locals, visitors and guests to pay a onetime entrance fee to eat all the chili they could hold, along with some tasty desserts and a drink.

The bravest of chefs offered a distinguished panel of judges some interesting array of different kinds of chili – some sweet, some spicy and some even a little surprising with amusing alphabet letters that had the judges giggling with sheer entertainment. As judges finished critiquing the competitors’ chili, the locals with the most discerning of palates put in their votes for the People’s Choice which went to Checotah Gun & Pawn, making them $150 happier.

Some of the most passion- ate of chili enthusiasts went all out on decorating their tables but only two came out on top, with Don Kelly coming in first place ($100) with his Vietnam camouflaged and combatkicking chili table and Kimberly Workman coming in second place ($50) with a Dolly Pardon country theme.

However, it was the sizzling onions, garlic, jalapenos and special seasonings of the reigning champion’s secret recipe that tantalized the taste buds of a whole new panel of judges which had Richard Millsap walking away with $500, reigning supreme once again. Judges included: House of Representatives Tim Turner, R-Kinta, and Neil Hays, R-Checotah, Senator District 8 candidate Hoss Durrett, Checotah Chamber of Commerce office manager Holly Lackey, Cindy Deluse, Robert Rhodes and Mc-Intosh County Democrat office manager La-Donna Brittle-Rhodes.

Sherry Spears, who is running for City Council Ward 1, took home bragging rights for taking 2nd place in the chili cook-off.

The City of Checotah took home 3rd place.

Jerri Holder won the luck of the draw in the adult door prize drawing, winning a 2-night stay at Janssen Park Bed & Breakfast, while Ray-Lynn Tarkington won the kid’s door prize, a Movie Party for Four.

Lanee Easley was the lucky winner of the raffle for the Radical Firearms AR-15 (5.56 Caliber).

This year the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery board was honored to have James Burgess from Soggy Bottom Cattle Company serve as their auctioneer for the evening. Burgess, a direct-to-consumer open range beef producer, was quite the entertainer as he squeezed the dollar signs out of political candidates, business owners and friends all for a great fundraising cause. With a company slogan to buy the beef “Between the Creek and the Cheeks,” no wonder Burgess had everyone engaged in the live auction as he warned people to hurry up and spend their hard-earned dollar bills before the beans in the chili kicked in.

With so many great items to bid on in the live auction and also in a silent auction also held this year, Heartland Heritage secretary Iris Park stated that the Chili Cook-Off did well this year. She also wanted to personally thank all the board members who stepped up to do more than their fair share to make the event a success.

Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery board includes: David Prince, chairman Jamie Spindle-Hilbert, vice chair Iris Park, secretary Imogene Duvall, treasurer Jason Combs, member Jerri Holder, member LaDonna Brittle-Rhodes, member Joey Marion, member Tracy Jackson, member Spring Morrow, member “I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who helped with donations, set up and take down, judging, working the tables, the auctions, the kitchen, etc.” Park said “Thanks to all our volunteers and local leadership showing up. From State Representatives, Checotah Mayor, Checotah City Council members and candidates, McIntosh County Sheriff Kevin Ledbetter, Freedom House ladies, Checotah Art Guild, Jean Gawf, Rodney Stover, Kerri Warren and Danny Warren who is our El Picasso mascot and anyone else I forgot mention who helped in any way. This town truly knows how to show their community spirit and it showed at this year’s 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off.”

Local church supports those with disabilities
A: Main, News...
Local church supports those with disabilities
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Last week His Ability Ministries with Checotah First Assembly of God offered training for disability friendly churches with Lonnie and Janet Nance from Unlimited Ministries of Springfield, Missouri. L...
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Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
A: Main, News...
Checotah says goodbye to cowboy legend Bill Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 17, 2025
Memorial Service for Bill Duvall Friday, July 18 at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church, Checotah When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah los...
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Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
A: Main, News...
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 17, 2025
Get ready for another funfilled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a ro...
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A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 17, 2025
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 will be hel...
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A: Main, News...
Man facing obscenity charges
July 17, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, a 52-yearold Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfri...
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A: Main, News...
Carey trial set on rape charge
July 17, 2025
Arnold Willard Carey Jr., 28, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 9 and his rape case was placed on the Sept. 29 sounding docket for the next trial. The McIntosh County resident has been...
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Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
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Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
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Checotah bandies recognized at TMALA
July 17, 2025
Class of Checotah band students were recently recognized at Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Academy (TMALA). TMALA Band Leadership was led by Ryan Edgmon, Director of Bands for Mustang Public Scho...
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Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
News
Supporters walk to raise awareness against sexual assault
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
July 17, 2025
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held its Sexual Assault Awareness Walk (SAAM) last Friday, July 12, at 12 p.m. in Posey Park. The event was originally scheduled for April but was rained out. Community sup...
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News
Oktaha Trinity Baptist Church Vacation Bible School
July 17, 2025
The Great Jungle Journey An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation July 21- 25 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Ages: 4-12 years Dinner will be provided.
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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
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Preliminary hearing set for man charged with murder
July 17, 2025
Following a competency hearing on July 9, Wilburton resident Glen Edward Calvin, 54, was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing in McIntosh County District Court at 2 p.m. Aug. 20. On a charge of...
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74426

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