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Humphrey again asks AG to investigate former DOC Director
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, one year 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.”

A hoe-lot is happening at The Happy Hoe Farm Market
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A hoe-lot is happening at The Happy Hoe Farm Market
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
November 20, 2025
Who says you can’t be a Happy Hoe? The Checotah Chamber of Commerce just hadaribboncuttingfor The Happy Hoe Farm Market and the talk around town is there’s a hoe-lot of good things to eat or get a tre...
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Another successful Veterans Day Celebration
A: Main, News...
Another successful Veterans Day Celebration
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
November 20, 2025
Another successful Veterans Day Celebration was hosted by Checotah Public Schools and honored all who served in the military especially local veterans on Tuesday, November 11. The special day started ...
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Upcoming Holiday Events
A: Main, Community Calendar...
Upcoming Holiday Events
By 3rd Annual Feed the Community 
November 20, 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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Motorcyclist killed
A: Main, News...
Motorcyclist killed
November 20, 2025
A 36-year-old cyclist from McAlester was killed Friday when he lost control of his vehicle on U.S. 270 and Oil Well Road, rolled through a barbed wire fence and came to rest in a field. Zachary W. Pat...
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Ava Rose Johnson partners with businesses for Holiday Food Drive
A: Main, Community Calendar...
Ava Rose Johnson partners with businesses for Holiday Food Drive
November 20, 2025
Ava Rose Johnson is partnering with Community Counselors Group and True Value in a Holiday Food Drive that will help support families impacted by the recent government shutdown and cutbacks. “I am thr...
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Six FFA members attend National FFA Convention
A: Main, News...
Six FFA members attend National FFA Convention
By Staff Reports 
November 20, 2025
Six Checotah FFA members and their agricultural teacher/advisors Mr. Rusty Stonebarger and Mr. Zachary Ilbery had the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana last mo...
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Editor Picks
OICA Kid Governor®, 4-H Junior Governor inspire future leaders, elevate importance of voting
commentary
OICA Kid Governor®, 4-H Junior Governor inspire future leaders, elevate importance of voting
By JOE DORMAN, OICA CEO 
November 20, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – The work done by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), while always rewarding, can sometimes be stressful, and occasionally downright depressing. The statistics and real- w...
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Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate
commentary
Constitution 101: Privileges, Immunities and Debate
November 20, 2025
Over the years, I have come to realize that many of my students know little about the U.S. Constitution. And even as I speak to older generations, I realize parts of the Constitution are somewhat fore...
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From pain to a platform
commentary
From pain to a platform
November 20, 2025
From the womb to the grave, God has a precise plan for each and every one of our lives. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a proph...
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News
AREA FOOD DRIVES
November 20, 2025
Haltom’s Huddle Holiday Food Drive Haltom’s Huddle Holiday Food Drive is underway. Help feed those in need in McIntosh County this Christmas. Gathering canned or dry food through Dec. 19. Drop off at ...
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News
Checotah resident pleads guilty to distributing methamphetamine
November 20, 2025
MUSKOGEE - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jason Duane Henrichs, age 47, of Checotah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one c...
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