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BARKtoberfest, a howling-ghoul time for pups and people
A: Main, News
October 16, 2025
BARKtoberfest, a howling-ghoul time for pups and people
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER

Porches & Pastures hosted their 7th Annual BARKtoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 11and lots of locals and visitors had a howling-ghoul time as they listened to live music from Last Call Band and browsed through tables full of items for their silent auction and yearly fundraiser.

There was something for everyone at the event. For the adults there was televised college football and a beer garden by Highway Liquor in Okemah with proceeds of beer pours going to Porches for Pups. For the kids and those young at heart, there was a kid’s zone with carnival games, a bounce house, a pumpkin patch and train rides. There were also several vendors and food trucks from Say Cheese OK, Just Wingin’ It, Miss Tammy’s Lunch Wagon, Witts End Brew Lab and Chef Easton’s.

Four-legged friends and owners also enjoyed a doggie cake walk, a dog biscuit eating contest and a costume contest. This year wiener dogs took home bragging rights in the competition with first place going to Hotdogs for Sale. Second place went to the Wizard of Oz and third place was Lifesavers Duo. All the dog costumes were clever and cute.

There were also multiple animal rescue organizations on-site with fur babies waiting for their fur-ever homes. Volunteers from Paws N Claws – Eufaula, OK that help with the Eufaula Pound were also set up to help register city dogs in case they were ever separated from their families. 19 signed up for free.

BARKtoberfest once again pulled the community together to celebrate pups of all shapes and sizes and to shine a light on the Porches for Pups initiative, to help every pup find its own porch to call home!

“We had a fantastic turnout!” Organizer Stephanie Fine said. “The event isn’t really about raising money. It’s about our community having fun with our fur babies while focusing on animal adoptions and welfare. We have a lot of animals in our area and state who desperately need homes and they deserve good ones. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out to make this day possible.”

Special thanks to all these sponsors for making BARKtoberfest a huge success: AMP Mechanical Arvest Bank A-Z Inspections Docks N’ Moor Farm Bureau of Muskogee | Scott Abbott 4 Season’s Appraisals | Marcie Arnold Freedom Ford of Eufaula Guarantee Pest Control Guild Mortgage | James Oldham Hard Rock Hotel & Casino of Tulsa Heritage Waste Management Highway Liquor of Okemah H&P Mechanical Hunn Black & Merritt Funeral Home & Crematory Lake Eufaula Association Last Stop Store Lemings Heating & Air Conditioning L&W Cleaning Mama Tig’s Wood Fired Pizza Nations Title Agency of OKC Pat’s Liquor Paws N Claws-Eufaula, OK Porches & Pastures Real Estate Porches for Pups Sovereign Abstract & Title of McIntosh Co Stites Home Furnishings The Bank, N.A.

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About Porches for Pups

The Porches for Pups Foundation is a passion project turned nonprofit that Porches and Pastures Real Estate created to help make a positive difference in the homeless pet crisis. Donations to the Porches for Pups Foundation help fund food, temporary shelter, spaying and neutering costs and sometimes veterinary bills.

The organization was founded with the heartfelt mission of raising awareness for animal welfare and supporting local animal rescue organizations. Inspired by their beloved pup, Hanna, who filled their lives with joy and countless cherished memories, they wanted to give back to the animals that still need loving homes in the local area. Through this non-profit, they aim to not only shine a light on the important work of rescue organizations but also offer financial assistance to ensure they have the resources to continue their life-saving efforts.

The mission of Porches for Pups is to provide financial assistance to area animal shelters, animal adoption organizations, and animal rescue efforts to help with the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Porches for Pups hope to bring awareness and support to the general public, relating to the need for the improvement of animal welfare in and around McIntosh County and beyond.

Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
A: Main, News...
Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
March 12, 2026
There are men who build businesses. And there are men who build communities. Gary Lee Nichols did both. For more than five decades, Gary wasn’t just the owner of grocery stores; he was a steady presen...
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A: Main, News...
Banning comments after tornado hits Beggs
March 12, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, RBixby, released the following statement after tornadoes hit northeast Oklahoma Friday night: “The severe weather that moved through Oklahoma this weekend resulted ...
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Communities built through faith and determination
A: Main, News...
Communities built through faith and determination
By STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
On a cool Saturday morning, Feb. 28, in the closing days of Black History Month, the steeple of Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church in Checotah rose above a quiet gathering devoted to remembrance, faith and...
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A: Main, News...
5th Annual Green Run is March 14
March 12, 2026
The 5th Annual Green Run returns this Saturday at the Lake Eufaula Pavilion. This lively St. Patrick’s–themed event features a USATF-sanctioned 5K and a Fun Run, welcoming runners, walkers, families, ...
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A: Main, News...
Former OSBI investigator sentenced for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor
March 12, 2026
MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jordan Francis Toyne, age 37, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 109 months in prison for ea...
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An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
A: Main, News...
An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
The 18th Annual Checotah Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili along with American patriotism for fun-filled evening of food an...
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Deadline to change party affiliation approaches
March 12, 2026
Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, McIntosh County Election Board Secretary Kim Limbaugh said today. Voters may change their party a...
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Checotah Livestock aids tornado victims
March 12, 2026
Checotah Livestock Market announced they will be helping aid recent tornado victims in Beggs. “Our community has always stepped up when neighbors are hurting,” a Checotah Livestock spokeman said. “In ...
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Oversight work and deadlines
commentary
Oversight work and deadlines
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 12, 2026
This week has been especially active at the Capitol as oversight c ommit tees work through one of the most imp ortant stages of the legislative session. At this point in the process, all remaining Hou...
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The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
commentary, Opinion...
The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
March 12, 2026
I miss the days of true creative writing – you know, when you could write a real paragraph and your readers could keep up with the story. You didn’t have to throw in a bunch of pictures or short and s...
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News
C.A.R.D. Senior Nutrition menu
March 12, 2026
March 16 - March 20 611 N. Broadway, Checotah Please call 918-237-1118 for meal reservations by 12 p.m. the day before services. Monday, March 16: Cheeseburger w/ toppings; potato; veggie salad; cake;...
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74426

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