DEATH NOTICES - McIntosh Democrat

Obituaries

March 12, 2026

DEATH NOTICES

EUFAULA – Paul Lemuel Hooten passed away Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the age of 83. A Serenity Chapel Service was held Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Serenity Chapel of Garrett Family Funeral Home in Checotah, OK.

CHECOTAH – Brec Samuel Todd, 52, passed away Wednesday March 4, 2026, at Saint Luke’s Baylor Medical Center in Houston. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 13, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Checotah, OK.

CHECOTAH – Clarence Charles Brock, Jr., passed away at his home on Monday, March 2, 2026, at the age of 79. A Serenity Chapel Service was held Monday, March 9, 2026 at Serenity Chapel of Garrett Family Funeral Home in Checotah, OK.

CHECOTAH – Zane “Bubba” D. McGwire Austin, 27, passed away February 28, 2026. A celebration of Zane’s life was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Lindsey Chapel Baptist Church in Eufaula, OK.

EUFAULA – Charles Simpkins, 55, peacefully passed from this life on Sunday, February 8, 2025, in Eufaula, OK. No services listed.

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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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

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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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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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

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...

News

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...

News

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 ...

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...

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...

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;...