Heartland Heritage to offer $500 Vo-Tech Scholarship

News

March 12, 2026

The Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery will be awarding a $500 check to one senior student from Checotah High School planning to attend a Vo-Tech course for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.

Applicants will be required to submit an essay of 500 -1000 words along with their application.

The Topic will be “Building My Future: A Blueprint for Success through Vo-Tech Education.”

Judges will look for clarity of the student’s future goals, objectives and personal motivation.

*Please note that all contributions should be original and not assisted by AI tools.

The Heartland board values the unique insights and experiences that each participant brings to the table and will judge accordingly and fairly.

Applications can be picked up by Monday, March 16 and dropped off no later than Wednesday, April 15 at the Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery at 116 North Broadway in Checotah. Essay may also be mailed to Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery, P.O. Box 623, Checotah, OK 74426 but must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2026.

For questions regarding the application process, you may reach out to ladonna@cookson. news or bobbiebischoff@ bellsouth.net.

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...

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 ...

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...

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, ...

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...

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...

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;...