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Night to Shine warms hearts on chilly evening
A: Main
February 12, 2025
Night to Shine warms hearts on chilly evening
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

The clouds were gray and the weather chilly at the start of the 6th annual Night to Shine gala in downtown Eufaula Friday evening.

But the smiles of those who stepped out of stretch limousines onto a red carpet and walked down a line of cheering volunteer paparazzi into Eufaula Community Culture Church were enough to warm everyone’s hearts. “I love this so much,” said volunteer Nick McKinney. “I love that so many people come together and volunteer for this event. Our goal is to have the whole city lined with people cheering.”

They didn’t make it this year, perhaps because of the weather or maybe an important basketball game.

But there is always next year.

This year there was enough of a crowd to generate memorable excitement for those who are honored with the red carpet, photos, a dance and crowning of royalty.

All of the participants are treated like royalty, like they are the most important thing in the world and most look forward to it every year.

Each is crowned king or queen at the end of their pro Night to Shine is a concept created by former football star Tim Tebow.

The Tim Tebow Foundation started the Night to Shine in 2015 to celebrate those with special needs and to give dignity to people who are often overlooked.

Since then, the event has occurred every year, celebrating over 100,000 people annually.

Night to Shine is a worldwide movement with over 700 host churches around the world.

Several local churches partner to make the event a night to remember.

The honorees come from all around McIntosh County as well as Weleetka, Wetumka, McAlester, Stigler and other nearby areas There were 99 participants this year and about 150 volunteers.

Ninety-nine is the maximum the facility will accommodate.

“We hit capacity every year,” McKinney said.

His wife, Junie McKinney, oversees the celebration.

Those who care for those with special needs are not forgotten in all of the organized chaos.

A special dining room is set up for them where they are fed and receive gifts and can watch their loved ones on closed circuit TV experience an event that will live in their memories for a lifetime.

McKinney notes that caring for the participants may be a 24-hour a day job, one that lasts a lifetime.

“This gives them a night off,” he said.

The Church provides resources for the caregivers, whatever they may need.

“They know they are not alone.”

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, sports
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
A: Main, news
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Eufaula City Council removed former Mayor Todd Warren from the Council Monday night citing excessive absences. City minutes of past meetings presented to the Council showed that Warren missed the ...
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
A: Main, news
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Decades before Oklahoma became a state in 1907; years before the first railroad track was laid in Indian Territory in 1870 and the year the Civil War ended, folks in a remote area of what is now McInt...
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
A: Main, news
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
9/11 – Never Forget
A: Main, news
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
A: Main, news
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
September 10, 2025
Margaret Marie Vickery Floyd has been named the 2025 Eufaula High School Homecoming Parade Marshall. Born in 1927 in Ramona, she is the fourth greatgranddaughter of Chief McIntosh, and the mother of f...
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Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Ironhead Homecoming Friday
September 10, 2025
The Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept.12, with a Pep Assembly at the Eufaula High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 1 p.m. The coronation of Homecoming Royalty takes place...
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
A: Main, news
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and so the new coordinator of Eufaula Memorial Library is taking that opportunity to challenge the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library to a competition to see wh...
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
A: Main, news
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Braddock Dobbs, 31, son of the late Margaret Dobbs, who was on the Eufaula School Board for 15 years, is following in his mother’s footsteps. Monday night, Aug. 8, at its monthly meeting, the Board ap...
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
news
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
September 10, 2025
Former Army Sp4 Timothy Pickering of Eufaula was honored recently at the Driller Stadium in Tulsa as a “Hometown Hero,” a program that honors people who have had a lasting impact on the community. Pic...
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Flea Pop-Up Market
September 10, 2025
Friday – Sunday, Sept.12-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 N. Main St. Booth rental available. Call Mr. Printer at 918-689-5998, Jani at 918-839-8494 or Ricky at 918-424-9961. Prices for all three days: ...
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