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News
November 13, 2025
Humphrey again asks AG to investigate former DOC Director

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today again asked Oklahoma’s attorney general to investigate Steven Harpe, the former director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC).

Humphrey said it was reported in April that Harpe had entered into a $1,017 million, oneyear contract with AI company LEO Technologies. Six months later, in October, Harpe posted that he had accepted the position of chief product officer with the company.

“The attorney general’s office is responsible for investigating and holding officials accountable for these types of law violations,” Humphrey wrote in his latest letter to the attorney general.

He also reiterated that the attorney general has previously ignored his requests to investigate Harpe for “giving himself a $90,000 raise” while he led DOC. Humphrey said he’s checked and found no authorization for the pay raise. A response to an open records request he submitted to the department said no documents were available. Humphrey contends the pay raise took Harpe’s salary to $275,000 annually, which he says was one of the highest salaries for a corrections director in the nation, even while he argues Oklahoma’s DOC is smaller than many nationwide.

Humphrey also alleges missing funds and mismanagement of state contracts while Harpe was director of the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).

“Harpe removed experienced employees and replaced those employees with his close, zero-experienced extremely overpaid friends,” Humphrey wrote. “He has abused his position to enrich himself and his friends. I believe Oklahomans are sick of political appointees, district attorneys, court officials and others receiving special treatment and favors. I hope you will use your office to hold Steven Harpe accountable for his illegal actions.”

Battle of Honey Springs still making history
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Battle of Honey Springs still making history
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
November 13, 2025
The Battle of Honey Springs Reenactment drew sizable crowds as did Education Day as actors and staff made history come to life over the threeday weekend of events from Nov. 7-9. Visitors and students ...
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Youth missing then found safe
November 13, 2025
A 16-year-old youth who went missing from his home in Lawrence, KS and was later found in Checotah, though he had no local ties to the area. According to a missing flier shared on social media, on Nov...
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Gardenia Club hosts Program of Honor
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Gardenia Club hosts Program of Honor
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
November 13, 2025
The Gardenia Art Colored Women’s Club recently hosted a Program of Honor on Saturday, November 1 at the Checotah Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. The club works diligently to: - Honor God in Worship and Pr...
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Missing in Oklahoma sets event
November 13, 2025
TULSA - Family and friends of missing persons can receive free help in their search by a Missing in Oklahoma meeting to be held Saturday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Martin Regional Library...
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Checotah Art Guild to host Holiday Art Show
November 13, 2025
All artists and crafters are welcome to come Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery located at 116 N. Broadway to compete in a judged Holiday Art Show & Sa...
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The Perk hosting Campbell anniversary
November 13, 2025
The Perk will be hosting an anniversary party for Jeannie and Don Campbell on Monday, Nov. 24, from 6-8 p.m. at the Perk on West Gentry. Drop by and wish them a happy anniversary.
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The Great Comet Debate — Science vs. the Backyard Conspiracies
By The Comet that launched a thousand theories 
November 13, 2025
In Eufaula and Checotah, fall usually means football talk and cooler evenings by the lake. But this year, heads have tilted skyward toward 3I/ATLAS — the mysterious comet racing through our solar syst...
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Eufaula street work continues
November 13, 2025
The Main Street project (SH 9) by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in Eufaula is expected to continue through the first week in December. An ODOT spokesman said the downtown section of the pr...
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News
McIntosh County GOP
By LYNELLE MEDLEY CHAIRMAN 
November 13, 2025
Our 2025 Patriot Retreat was a smashing success -- we had nearly 50 people there from all areas of the state. Beaver’s Bend State Park was gorgeous and our keynote speaker, The Honorable Jake Merrick,...
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GOBBLE
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GOBBLE
November 13, 2025
3rd Annual Feed the Community Tuesday, Nov. 24 Dinner served from 5 p.m. until the food runs out Checotah Community Center Everyone is welcome! By TNT Power Washing Services In Memory of their mother,...
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11th Annual Winter Miss Fundraiser Pageant
November 13, 2025
Saturday, November 22 at 9:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Checotah Performing Art Center
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