As we usher in the dawn of a new year, it’s only fitting to pause and reflect on the journey we took together in 2024. The year unfolded with its own set of challenges and triumphs. In the pages of your local newspaper each week, you read the stories that knit us together and define our community.
As we leaf through the snapshots of 2024, we are proud to have been a part of every moment.
Happy New Year from the staff of the Eufaula Indian Journal.
The Wind of Change is blowing
The biggest news of the year is the announcement that a Canadian corporation is planning to build 121 wind turbines in McIntosh County.
Reaction was swift when the project became public knowledge in October. Opponents have worked non-stop in their efforts to kill the plan, claiming the turbines will be injurious to people, livestock, wildlife and the environment, as well as create a blight on the landscape that could hurt one of the area’s major sources of income – tourism.
While wind turbines dominate the news at the end of the year, there have been many memorable events throughout the year.
JERRY FINK
MANAGING EDITOR
JANUARY County land values outta sight
In the past 10 years the valuation of McIntosh County, as whole, has increased $511,000,000, according to County Assessor Trina Williams. Most of this increase has happened within the last three years and she believes that is largely due to the pandemic and the medical marijuana industry.
“We have people from California, Texas, even Michigan and Minnesota, paying outlandish prices for properties and land here and people who are now able to work from home are buying lake properties and leaving the big cities to move to our area. It has definitely been a seller’s market! We had properties valued at $80,000 selling for $300,000. Since the increase in interest rates, we have noticed a decrease in the number of sales and the sales amounts but not even close to what they were three years ago.”
New librarian named at Eufaula
Amanda Grantham has been named branch manager of Eufaula Memorial Library, replacing Shymekia Adams.
MLK Day greeted by dangerous arctic blast; wind chills below zero
Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day to honor the civil rights activist – and to try to stay warm. According to the National Weather Service, the area high for the holiday around Eufaula was around 16 degrees.
At 7:51 a.m. Monday the temperature was 3 degrees, according to the temperature and clock at the Health & Wellness Center.
Fire destroys Pixie Woods building
Fire of unknown origin Monday night destroyed the Pixie Woods service station and convenience store, a twostory structure 11 miles east of Eufaula on SH 9.
FEBRUARY
Progress made on courthouse
Workers continue to make progress on Monday as Williams Construction works on the west side stairwell of the courthouse addition. A mild winter and unseasonably warm February has helped the project stay on track.
MARCH
Habitual criminal gets five life sentences plus 11 years
A 38-year-old habitual criminal who was charged with multiple felonies was found guilty of most of those charges at the end of a threeday trial last week.
Joshua Duane Butler of Wetumka was sentenced by Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges to five life sentences plus 11 years in prison.
County lodging tax defeated; proposal not dead
District 2 County Commissioner Monty Grider was left scratching his head at the failure of a proposal that authorized the county to levy and assess a lodging tax of five percent.
He can’t figure out why a proposal that would have had no financial impact on local voters would be rejected.
Non-residents, who don’t pay for the services the county offers when they stay here, are the ones who would have paid for the tax.
Randleman won’t seek re-election
District 15 State Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, has announced he will not seek re-election in the fall.
First elected in 2018, Randleman has been plagued in recent years by health issues but he says that isn’t the reason he will not run again, it’s because his wife, Jennifer has her own health issues.
Faith and Begorrah, St. Paddy’s Day Green Run a big hit
The 3rd Annual 5K Green Run was the big winner in this year’s event.
More than 176 runners, and an uncounted number of dogs, participated in the run that began at the Xtreme Amphitheatre, ran along Lakeshore Drive and returned to the starting point.
The overall winner of the event was 16-yearold Thomas Yahola III of Konawa, with a time of 18 minutes and 15 seconds.
Oklahoma City angler wins first tournament of the season
On Saturday, March 16, American Bass Anglers held its first Professional League tournament in Oklahoma, starting at Nichols Point in Eufaula. Michael David Taylor from Oklahoma City found a way to get what he needed to take home the title five fish for 14.22 lbs. and Taylor certainly earned every ounce. His prize was $3,500.
APRIL
Casey’s opening
The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday for Casey’s convenience store, which opened for business on South Main Street in Eufaula on Thursday.
Courthouse construction project update
After almost three years of planning the renovation and additions to the almost 100-year-old McIntosh County Courthouse is well underway.
“The approximate completion date is around June 15, 2025,” County Clerk Deena Farrow said.
Partial eclipse thrills spectators
The solar eclipse witnessed by McIntosh County wasn’t the total eclipse seen by others in some areas of the nation, but what was seen was totally amazing.
Countless folks paused their daily routines between about 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 8, to put on special glasses to see a phenomenon that won’t recur in these parts until Aug. 22, 2044, when a total eclipse will only be visible in North Dakota and Montana.
700 pounds of pet food given away
Over 700 pounds of pet food was given away by volunteers with PAWS N CLAWS – Eufaula to bring awareness to the devastating reality of animal abandonment in not just the local area but all over the United States. The Abandonment Awareness drive went on from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, in front of Lake Life on Main St. in Eufaula.
Russell and Amanda Reid, owners of Lake Life, graciously allowed the volunteer group to set up in front of their business and even offered a portion of their proceeds from their Mutt Life line to go towards the cause.
MAY
Council clarifies curfew law
After listening to comments by 10 area residents on the issue of curfew for juveniles, the Eufaula City Council voted at a special meeting on April 23 to tweak the existing curfew ordinance.
They rejected a request by Police Chief David Bryning for the council to change the ordinance to make the curfew 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day.
The old ordinance failed to state curfew hours on Fridays, which law enforcement offices and others found confusing.
Happy endings for three pups in pound
Paws N Claws – Eufaula helped with three adoptions in one week from the Eufaula pound. These puppies would’ve been put down after ten days but caring and concerned citizens stepped up to create three happy endings as three fur babies found their fur-ever homes instead.
Three tornadoes spotted in McIntosh County, none touched down
What seemed like an army of tornadoes laid siege to Oklahoma over the weekend, leaving in their paths death and destruction.
A four-month-old child and an adult in Holdenville, 58 miles southeast of Eufaula An adult in Marietta, 147 miles southeast of Eufaula.
And another adult in Sulphur, 119 miles southeast of Eufaula.
According to the National Weather Service, each of those tornadoes were rated EF3 or higher.
There were at least three tornadoes closer to home, according to McIntosh County Emergency Management Director Leslie Phillips, but none of them touched the ground.
Notorious inmate gets 30 years for sexual abuse
MUSKOGEE – Jimcy McGirt, 75, of Holdenville, on Friday was sentenced to 360 months imprisonment for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced.
On December 5, 2023, McGirt pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. As part of the plea agreement, McGirt confessed to sexually abusing a child in August of 1996.
Lake Eufaula reels in another major fishing tournament
After an exciting week on Lake Eufaula May 2, 3 and 4, the Bass Pro Tour, more excitement is in store for anglers this weekend, May 16-18, when The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats comes to town.
The three-day tournament, hosted by Vision Eufaula, is the third and final event of the year for Central Division anglers.
Bokoshe angler wins Toyota bass tournament
An Oklahoma native with more success than just about anyone on the state’s largest lake, Christ Jones of Bokoshe, leaned on his Lake Eufaula experience to find the out-of-the-way area that produced all his keepers during the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats stop on the reservoir last weekend.
2024 EHS graduates ready for a new life’s journey
“Don’t be ordinary. Make your life matter,” urges Roger Thompson.
The 95 graduates of Eufaula High School Class 2024 were honored in a ceremony at Paul Bell Field Friday.
Counselor Amber Graham highlighted the top students, including the school’s three 2024 Academic Scholars: Chenoa Bumgarner, Abigail Charlton and Valerie Lewis.
The highest honors to members of the class of 2024 went to Abigail Bell, Valedictorian, and Valerie Lewis, Salutatorian.
Board hires elementary school principal
The Eufaula School Board, at a Tuesday, May 14 meeting, hired Dorothy Moseley as elementary school pr i n c i pal, repl a c i ng Kristel Hickman who resigned to take a position as principal of Crowder High School.
Moseley was principal at the Nicoma Park Elementary for 15 years prior to accepting the Eufaula position.
Nicoma Park Elementary is in the Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District, located about 12 miles east of downtown Oklahoma City.
Roger Thompson retiring, plans to travel
Eufaula High School history teacher Roger Thompson, noted for his trademark bowtie and suits and love of travel, has decided to retire.
After retirement he probably still will be seen sporting his bowtie, a dapper suit and his round glasses with a black frame.
JUNE
First council meeting held in renovated city hall
The Eufaula City Council held its first monthly meeting Monday in its newly renovated city hall at 64 Memorial Drive.
On the agenda was a proposal to sell the building at 25 Hospital Drive, which had been used as a temporary city hall since the historic building on Memorial Drive had to be closed because of black mold and other issues.
Journal/Democrat General Manager named OPA President
Hometown papers bring home awards Shauna Belyeu, General Manager of the Eufaula Indian Journal and the McIntosh County Democrat, was named president of the Oklahoma Press Association during its annual convention held Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Muscogee Nation breaks ground for Lake Eufaula Casino and Hotel
Six dignitaries with the Muscogee Nation led a groundbreaking ceremony for the tribe’s latest development in the gaming industry on Thursday, June 13.
The Nation has 10 other gaming operations, including the flagship River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa and a 240-slot machine facility in Eufaula.
This latest project, called Lake Eufaula Casino and Hotel, is the tribe’s second facility to have a hotel.
Sen. Roger Thompson submits resignation effective Nov. 1
Sen. Roger Thompson submitted his irrevocable resignation from the Oklahoma Legislature Friday, about six weeks after he was suddenly removed as chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committee.
Thompson (R-Okemah) was first elected in 2014, meaning he had two years left in a third and final term that would have expired in 2026. His resignation will become effective Nov. 1.
Black mold forces temporary closing of library
The Eufaula Memorial Library has been forced to close temporarily because of black mold found in the building. Branch Manager Amanda Grantham said the mold is in two back rooms, the lobby and part of the children’s area.
JULY
County heat wave expected to continue for days
According to the National Weather Service, dangerous heat will persist in the days ahead, with the heat index climbing to the 105-115 degree range.
On Thursday, July 4, it will be sunny and with a high of near 100 degrees, and gusting winds of up to 20 miles per hour.
Retired Sen. James Inhofe dies
Oklahoma’s longestserving United States Senator James M. Inhofe passed away at 4:48 a.m. after a stroke on July 9.
He passed peacefully, surrounded by his wife Kay, and his three surviving children, Molly, Jimmy and Katy. His son Perry passed away several years ago in a private airplane accident in Tulsa.
Ribbon cut celebrating the new splash pad
From conception to completion took four years, but Eufaula now has a splash pad.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday.
The project cost $563,445, paid for with grants, donations and in-kind services.
About half the cost was paid for by a federal grant of $281,722.50.
The City contributed $172,222, which includes $25,500 in-kind match, and the Eufaula Economic Development Authority paid $5,000.
Courthouse flooded, forced to close Monday
A three-inch rainfall late Sunday and early Monday caused extensive damage inside the McIntosh County Courthouse, forcing the facility to close Monday.
Servpro of McAlester began cleaning the courthouse early Monday, vacuuming water that infiltrated the threestory building from top to bottom.
VFW Ballroom dedicated to Harold Haltom
July 16 was a day of mixed emotions at VFW Post 8798 – joy and sorrow as family, friends and comrades in arms gathered together at a ceremony dedicating the Post’s ballroom to the late Harold Haltom, who passed away on Jan. 29 at the age of 92.
The room has been christened the Harold Haltom Memorial Ballroom.
Haltom was a lifetime member of Post 8798. After his retirement from the Army in 1972, he passionately worked the Post, serving in many positions, including Post Commander.
AUGUST
Former Eufaula councilman Dan Kirby sentenced to 41 months in prison
MUSKOGEE — More than a year after he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the motorcycle wreck that caused the death of his girlfriend, Sheryl Bichsel, a federal judge sentenced former Oklahoma legislator and Eufaula City Councilman Dan Kirby to 41 months in federal prison today.
Judges give two thumbs up to 40th Annual Whole Hawg Days
Cook-off judges Eddie Hartwick and Robert Campbell had high praise for the 40th Annual Whole Hawg Days, and they weren’t just talking about the chefs but the whole hawg, the fans, the car show, the arts and crafts festival.
“The whole event was great,” said Hartwick, a chef from Oklahoma City.
City turning attention to streets
The $7.2 million water project has been completed and the $2.2 million sewer project is about half finished, so now the City Council is turning its attention to city streets.
“It’s going to be expensive,” City Manager Jeb Jones told the Council at Monday’s monthly meeting
SEPTEMBER
Commissioner Grider asks for a recount after narrow loss
The race for District 2 McIntosh County Commissioner in last week’s primary runoff election was a photo finish, with challenger Clifford McElhaney defeating incumbent Monty Grider by a nose.
McElhaney, a Eufaula barber for 26 years, received 285 votes to Grider’s 273, a difference of 12 votes. The vote was so close in the Aug. 27 run-off that Grider has decided to ask for a recount.
He paid his $600 fee for a recount order on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Youth wins first at Vision Eufaula Wine & Art Festival
A 10-year-old boy from Wilburton who has a passion for photography was this year’s winner of the Vision Eufaula’s art competition.
Paxson Ganz began using a hand-medown Canon Rebel camera two years ago and has been snapping pictures of livestock and scenery ever since, winning multiple competitions around the state – starting with a Latimer County 4-H project.
First Baptist Church gives thanks at dedication
More than 200 members of the Eufaula First Baptist Church joined hands in prayer Sunday as they thanked God for the new, 8,000 square foot extension to the old building that has served their spiritual needs for more than 60 years.
VFW Auxiliary honors Gold Star families
The United States began observing Gold Star Mother’s Day on the last Sunday of September, in 1936, recognizing the mothers of military personnel who died in war.
VFW Auxiliary Post 8798 continued that tradition with a Gold Star Ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 28.
OCTOBER
Police receive precious gift from local businesswoman
The Eufaula Police Department received potentially life-saving gifts recently from local businesswoman Mara McCoy – vests for each officer on the force.
McCoy, owner of McCoy Properties, presented the custom fit ballistic vests to the 13 members of the department on Sept. 24.
Each vest cost $1,000.
Boy, that engine is Big!
For the second time in three years Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest steam engine, passed through Eufaula on Monday, Oct.14.
Its last trip through town was Aug. 12, 2021.
The historic engine, a giant measuring 85 feet long, 11 feet wide, 16 feet high and weighing 67,500 pounds, is owned by Union Pacific Railroad which often sends it on tour to various regions of the country.
“Tooney” Martin re-convicted of murder
David Deval Martin, 39, McIntosh County, was convicted of murder in October 2016 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020 in its McGirt decision that state courts lacked jurisdiction on crimes involving Indians in Indian Country, Martin appealed his conviction.
The State Court of Criminal Appeals, in 2021, vacated the lower court’s decision and ordered the case be turned over to federal court for prosecution.
Martin, nicknamed “Tooney,” remained incarcerated while awaiting the filing of federal charges. Those charges were finally filed and his trial began on Oct. 8, concluding on Oct. 11.
Martin was again found guilty, this time of Murder in Indian Country.
Ground broken for convenience store
Ground is being cleared at the intersection of SH 9 and Eunice Burns Road for a 6,277 square foot Allsup’s convenience store.
City Manager Jeb Jones says the store, located west of U.S. 69, should be completed in four to six months.
County residents fighting windmills – an age-old story
Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes wrote the first modern novel published in 1605 called Don Quixote, which became today’s timeless musical Man of La Mancha.
Don Quixote was fighting imaginary foes.
The theme of the story is hope over despair, of conquering the impossible.
Can cash-strapped McIntosh County fight the trillion-dollar corporations who are planning to put at least 120 windmills in the Lenna and Hanna areas of Mc-Intosh County.
These windmills are real – wind turbines said to create clean energy for Oklahoma’s future, energy that will be shipped to other states.
Or will they destroy the county’s future by ultimately polluting Lake Eufaula, the source of the county’s wealth, as many think?
NOVEMBER
Protestors file petition to put wind farms to a vote of the people
More than 200 opponents of the proposed wind farm attended a weekly county commissioner meeting Monday, hoping to convince the commissioners to file a moratorium against a company that plans to put in a wind turbine farm.
The commissioners said on advice of counsel they could not file a moratorium.
Clearly displeased by the decision, the opponents spent almost four hours trying to convince the commissioners they could and should file a moratorium.
Unable to convince them to change their minds, three of the opponents went to the courthouse after Monday’s meeting and filed a citizens’ initiative petition, requesting that the issue be voted on by the people.
Canadian Company rep to meet with commissioners, protestors
Cana d i an – b a s ed Trans-Altas surprised a lot of people in McIntosh County when they stumbled across the corporation quietly signing lease agreements with 25 landowners around Lenna, Hannah and Stidham.
The project thus far covers 22,000 acres, where 121 wind turbines are planned.
Eventually, according to protestors, there could be 900 turbines that circle the county, the lake and parts of Pittsburg County.
Council considers sales tax for streets
The Eufaula City Council has decided the best way to pay for street improvements is by increasing the city sales tax, which will require a vote of the people.
A general obligation bond (property tax) option was rejected.
No decision was made at the Nov. 12 meeting as to how much of a tax increase they would ask for, but they are considering either 1 percent or ½ percent.
The council is expected to make that decision at a special meeting set for Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
Wind turbines may blow up insurance rates
Opponents of wind turbines have been sounding the alarm for weeks, warning of the potential dangers of 121 turbines proposed to be built in western McIntosh County, near Lenah and Hanna.
Saundra Traywick, who lives near Luther in far Northeastern Oklahoma County, has traveled the state pointing out the impact she says the turbines have on the environment, water, livestock, wildlife, humans and property values.
District 13 State Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, pointed out another problem that may be created by turbines, one that had not been mentioned publicly until last week but one that has the potential of affecting everyone who has insurance, not just people who live close to the turbines.
“Your insurance rates will go up,” Hays told a gathering of more than 200 people at the VFW hall on Thursday, Nov. 21, who were there at the invitation of the Mc-Intosh County GOP.
Lights on Eufaula shines light on Christmas season
Channel 6 news anchor Craig Day was the guest of honor at this year’s Lights on Eufaula celebration, an event hosted by Karen Weldin and Vision Eufaula.
Hundreds of fans filled the streets, visiting stores open late for early Christmas shoppers.
DECEMBER
Council says ‘muy bueno’ to new restaurant
The Eufaula City Council at its Monday monthly meeting gave whole-hearted approval to a zoning change that will allow La Finca restaurant owner Abel Gonzalez to build a La Finca Express.
“Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your town,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez has built restaurants in Greenville, Ark., Tulsa, Checotah, Warner and two in Eufaula.
A native of Vera Cruz, Mexico, he is a restaurateur with an eye for opportunities.
Commissioners rescind zoning vote, will put it on agenda next week
An effort to create a county planning and zoning committee to combat companies who have begun taking steps to build wind farms in McIntosh County hit a speed bump at Monday’s commissioner’s meeting.
The commissioners approved the planning and zoning idea at a meeting a week ago, but they approved it at the wrong point in the agenda.
It was approved as a “new business” item when it should have been considered under “old business” since the issue had been discussed weeks ago.
District 1 County Commissioner Loyal Dean Taylor said if plans went ahead to get the issue on a ballot for the people to vote on, if it passed then it could be thrown out on a technicality.
“We need to rescind that motion and make another motion,” Taylor said.
The wording will be the same but the item will be on next week’s agenda in the correct “old business” location.
Legal notice re street votes published The City of Eufaula has officially started the process to ask voters to approve a 1-cent increase in the local sales tax in order to repair city streets.
If it passes, the additional tax would be collected beginning July 1, 2025 and continue through June 30, 2040.
The city has published a legal notice calling for a special election to vote on Resolution 24-11-1 on Feb. 11, 2025, authorizing the calling of an election on the proposition.
Chamber offered chance to enter rodeo business There’s a possibility that the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce could get into the rodeo business.
Last week the leadership of the Eufaula Roundup Club notified City Manager Jeb Jones that the club was disbanding.
For the past seven years the latest version of the club hosted the annual rodeo held during Whole Hawg Days every July. Prior to that, a different version of the roundup club hosted rodeos for more than 30 years.
Wind turbine company fails to meet with commissioners Turbine opponents plan more rallies, meetings “I think they’re going to fold,” District 3 County Commissioner Bobby Ziegler said at Monday’s weekly commissioners’ meeting.
Perhaps it was wishful thinking as he reacted to the fact that a TransAltas Corporation representative failed to show up to meet with the commissioners and the public last week.
Ziegler had announced at a special meeting on Nov. 14 that he had been contacted by the Canadian-based company and told that they would send someone to the county to discuss wind turbines.
TransAltas has plans to build 121 wind turbines, some 720 feet tall, on 22,000 acres in rural western McIntosh County.
Opponents of electricity corridor get early Christmas gift
Feds abandon plan Hays/Turner meet with TransAlta The plan to create a 645-mile long, 18-milewide swath of land across Oklahoma from the Panhandle to Arkansas came to a screeching halt on Friday, Dec. 12.
The announcement that the Department of Energy had scuttled the controversial project to create the Delta Plains Corridor was made by Oklahoma House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert during a town hall meeting at the Creek County Fairgrounds where a thousand dissenters had gathered to protest.
The project, dubbed the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Designation (NIETCD), would have given the federal government the power to take private property in the name of “eminent domain” to locate high voltage electric transmission lines.
Almost as controversial are the wind turbines popping up all over the state, which possibly could have utilized the corridor.
The DOE reportedly killed the project because of massive opposition.
Grand re-opening, ribbon cutting at library At a ceremonial ribbon cutting Tuesday, Dec. 17, Eufaula Memorial Library Branch Manager Amanda Grantham thanked dozens of people who made the recent renovation of the facility. possible. “Without all of the support, this day would not have been possible,” Grantham said.
McIntosh County designated Purple Heart County “Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that, having heroes, fails to remember and honor them.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC) County Clerk Deena Farrow read the words of the Roman statesman, scholar and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero as the McIntosh County Commissioners prepared to honor military veterans by becoming a Purple Heart County.
McIntosh County on Tuesday, Dec. 17, became the third county in Oklahoma to receive the designation, joining Comanche and Logan.
Ten people took advantage of the Dec. 12 class teaching businesspeople about Canva, a program you can use it to make flyers and postcards for presentation on social media websites. A lot of people use it, they just don’t understand it. The Chamber of Commerce hosted a Canva class conducted by Lylah Sparks from East Central Electric Small Business Marketing.
