logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Local Teams Recognized
commentary
May 1, 2025
Local Teams Recognized
By REP. TIM TURNER

This was a special week for me in the House of Representatives. I got to recognize two extraordinary basketball teams.

First up was the Connors State College Men’s Basketball Team under Head Coach Bill Muse and Assistant Coach Bill Muse Jr. This remarkable team qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 tournament, finishing their season 32-4, with an Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference record of 14-2. They are regular season champions, Region 2 champions, South Central District champions and the NJCAA Division 1 runner-up. A number of the team members also made all-tournament teams.

This season was a testament of the team’s hard work, dedication and teamwork, and a reflection of the values instilled by Coach Muse and his coaching staff. They’ve not only represented their college with pride, but inspired fellow students, faculty and the community with their achievements.

I also was thrilled to get to recognize the legendary achievements of Head Coach Bill Muse who has 804 wins over his 33-year career. This remarkable feat is a testament to his unwavering dedication and strategic brilliance. He was recognized as the NJCAA Region 2 Coach of the Year and the NJCAA National Tournament South Central District Coach of the Year. I noted that Coach Muse’s success would not have been possible without the support of his wife, Connie, affectionately known by all as Momma Muse, who passed away in December.

The Whitefield Bobcats basketball team also came to the Capitol to be recognized as the 2025 State Champions in the Organization of Rural Elementary Schools State Basketball Tournament Division III. This team competed against rural teams from across the state and won their games with an average margin of victory of 28.3 points.

The success of these students both academically and in athletics is reflective of the dedication of Whitefield Public School’s administration, faculty and coaches.

It was an honor to recognize both of these teams.

Also this week, I was blessed to have a page serve in my Capitol office.

Duke Dunn is a junior at Eufaula High School and the son of April and Cale Dunn. He’s in the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society and placed top 10 in the state powerlifting meet. After high school, he hopes to attend Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology to receive his HVAC certification. He’d like to start his own business doing commercial HVAC instillation and repair.

Duke is a very smart young man, and it was great to get to show him a bit about the state Legislature this week.

Our committee deadline has passed for bills from the opposite chamber. Those bills that advanced out of committee can now be heard on the House floor. Work on the floor will increase over the next few weeks.

Remember, if I can help you in my capacity as your representative, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Capitol. My office phone is (405) 557-7375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse. gov.

Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.

Winter storm slams most of the U.S.
A: Main, News...
Winter storm slams most of the U.S.
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 29, 2026
A winter storm that felt more like an arctic blast slammed locals and most of the U.S. Though it wasn’t fit for man nor beast in the frigid temperatures local children made the most of it with their s...
this is a test
No. 9 Eufaula Ironheads rally past No. 18 Muldrow Bulldogs to win Checotah Crossroads Classic Championship, 60-53
B: Sports, Sports...
No. 9 Eufaula Ironheads rally past No. 18 Muldrow Bulldogs to win Checotah Crossroads Classic Championship, 60-53
By RODNEY HALTOM RODNEY HALTOM SPORTS SPORTSEDITOR 
January 29, 2026
The No. 9 Eufaula Ironheads (15-3) capped off a thrilling comeback to capture the Checotah Crossroads Classic Championship with a 60-53 victory over the No. 18 Muldrow Bulldogs on Saturday. It was the...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Waiting out the storm together
By MICHAEL BARNES 
January 29, 2026
In the days before the storm, I realized that winter doesn’t just test your supplies — it tests how much you’re willing to think beyond yourself. Around that same time, my neighbors and I started talk...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Fugitive arrested in Eufaula
January 29, 2026
The Eufaula Police Department served a warrant at a residence in the Lakehurst Addition within the City of Eufaula on Jan. 22. The warrant was served as part of an ongoing investigation. The suspect, ...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Warrant issued for man who failed to appear in court
January 29, 2026
A bench warrant has been issued for a 27-year-old McIntosh County man who failed to appear in court for a hearing held on Dec. 18, 2025. Arnold Willard Carey Jr. forfeited his $50,000 bond. He is char...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Family mourns loss of son shot on security duty
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 29, 2026
Funeral services were held January 21 for SunJun July, as his family laid him to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery in Checotah. He would have turned 23 this month on January 22 but was shot and killed Januar...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Whitman chosen as 2025
A: Main, News...
Whitman chosen as 2025
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 29, 2026
The Checotah Fire Department held their annual appreciation firefighter dinner on January 17, sponsored by Richard Tyler and Tyler Mountain BBQ. Firefighters and their families enjoyed an evening of g...
this is a test
Oklahoma P.E.O. Chapter BX, Checotah honored
lifestyle
Oklahoma P.E.O. Chapter BX, Checotah honored
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
January 29, 2026
Oklahoma P.E.O. Chapter BX, Checotah was recently honored with a proclamation from Mayor Daniel Tarkington at the last Checotah City Council for their “longstanding commitment to providing financial a...
this is a test
January is School Board Recognition Month
lifestyle
January is School Board Recognition Month
January 29, 2026
January is School Board Recognition Month and Checotah Public Schools truly appreciates their school board. “This is an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding of the crucial role a...
this is a test
News
Green Country CattleWomen announce new board
January 29, 2026
Green Country CattleWomen announced their new board as they wrapped up two years with their former board that they express their gratitude of exceptional leadership and support. The former board inclu...
this is a test
When protest threatens democracy
Opinion
When protest threatens democracy
January 29, 2026
For me, one of the most important issues we face moving forward is our respect for law and democracy. Whether one agrees with it or not, ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is a legal feder...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy