July 29, 2025

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$24 million school bond proposal passes
A: Main, news
April 9, 2025
$24 million school bond proposal passes
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR,

Thanks to Eufaula voters, big changes are coming to Eufaula school campuses, changes that will allow the district to continue to grow and provide quality education.

By a vote of 564 to 327, a proposition to issue bonds in the amount of $23,970,000 was approved.

That is 63.3 percent yes votes versus 36.7 no votes.

For a bond of this nature, state law requires 60 percent of voters to say yes.

“In today’s world, 63 percent is a large majority,” said Superintendent Monty Guthrie.

Guthrie expressed relief and gratitude for the passage of the proposition.

“I am thrilled that the community stepped up,” he said. “Really thrilled to continue to get the support. This is a great community. They support our school and our kids in so many ways.”

Several members of the community volunteered to serve on a planning committee that met many times over the past several months, deciding what was most important for the school.

Among them were Sterling Atwood, Pee-Wee Chiles, Lori Curtis, Janette Davis, Rachell Jones, Lesa King, Jill McLaughlin, Zach Mc-Quay and Jason Stockton.

“So many people played important roles. Our planning committee put in a lot of time and effort. They listened to people out in the community,” Guthrie said. “We moved forward with the idea we were going to do all we could do to meet as many needs as we could at the current tax rate. That was our goal, and I think we did a good job.”

With the extensive planning, the committee was able to develop an ambitious plan without an increase in taxes.

“They certainly deserve credit. All played a part. We tried to listen to everyone,” Guthrie said.

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome during the campaign to convince to approve the proposal was a misconception of what it was all about.

“The hardest thing was the perception it was all about sports. It was not all about sports,” he said.

Sports was an element – the football field will get artificial turf.

“But the band was as excited about the artificial turf as the football players,” Guthrie said.

Currently, the band practices in the parking lot, which is not level.

With the artificial turf, they will be able to practice on the football field year-round.

An event center at the high school will provide a first-class basketball facility, while maintaining the old gym to enhance current programs and allow for the possibility for the addition of other programs in the future.

The facility will be used to host basketball games, band concerts, graduations, and other events.

It will be a multi-purpose building that can be used by the community for events, as well.

Expanded cafeterias at the schools will end the student’s having to eat in shifts.

“Anyone who has been to the high school at lunch knows we don’t have enough dining area. The same with the elementary school,” Guthrie said.

A wing will be added to the middle school to enable the fifth grade to move to the middle school, which will ease the crowding of the elementary school and the elementary school cafeteria.

The district anticipates a growth in enrollment as the community grows with an expanding business community, which includes a casino scheduled to open at the end of the year.

Hopefully, the improvements at the schools will attract more students.

“School funding is based on average daily attendance,” he noted.

On Wednesday, the day after the election, Guthrie began sending out thank-you letters and contacting architects and construction management.

“We will get everyone at the table again and start setting timelines and dates,” he said.

He said there is already a blueprint, “but there is an incredible amount of engineering and architectural work to be done over the next several months.”

He doesn’t expect the first bond to be sold until July.

“No money will be available until then,” Guthrie said.

It probably will be the Fall before any construction takes place.

Then probably 18 months of inconvenience.

“There’s no way it’s not going to create inconvenience. Progress always does. But we will adapt, make it work. It will be worth the inconvenience.”

Marijuana operation raided in county
A: Main, news
Marijuana operation raided in county
July 23, 2025
Thousands of marijuana plants and 1,183 pounds of processed marijuana were confiscated Monday during a raid conducted by an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Marijuana Enforcement Team three miles south o...
Cat Daddy brings rhythm, soul, and compassion to York Manor
A: Main, news
Cat Daddy brings rhythm, soul, and compassion to York Manor
By MICHAEL BARNES 
July 23, 2025
Recently, Craig Morgan — better known as Cat Daddy — walked into York Manor Nursing Home in Muskogee not like a guest, but like someone coming home. Guitar slung over his shoulder, smile wide, and hea...
Ava Rose’s star continues to rise and shine
A: Main, news
Ava Rose’s star continues to rise and shine
By JOHN BLOCK 
July 23, 2025
Cherokee and Osage native Ava Rose Johnson, a former student at Eufaula Public Schools, has been invited to join the Recording Academy/ GRAMMYs 2025 New Member Class. Only an approximate 3,600 creator...
A: Main, news
Rescue boat launch date
July 23, 2025
On July 24 at 6:30 p.m., the City of Eufaula will officially launch into service their new fire suppression and rescue boat, Police Chief David Bryning announced. “It has been a long journey and many ...
A: Main, news
Eager to solve beaver problem
July 23, 2025
District 3 Commissioner Bobby Ziegler assured Shauna Belyeu at Monday’s meeting that complaints she aired were being addressed. “It’s the beavers,” he said. Belyeu, representing some 300 homeowners in...
Thomas is Queen
A: Main, news
Thomas is Queen
July 23, 2025
Kyznie Thomas, 18, of Checotah, has been chosen Queen of the 2025 Eufaula Chamber of Commerce Rodeo. “I have ridden horses all my life,” she said. “Training and riding barrel and rope horses – I was b...
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Whitefield girl named Princess
A: Main, news
Whitefield girl named Princess
July 23, 2025
Six-year-old Lakyn Spur Stancell, daughter of Cole and Paige Stancell of Whitefield, has been named Princess of the 41st annual Whole Hawg Days Rodeo. Lakyn graduated from Whitefield Public Schools an...
A: Main, news
Yard Sale July 26
July 23, 2025
Under One Roof, 107 McKinley, will hold a yard sale on Saturday, July 26 starting at 7 a.m.
A: Main, news
Whole Hawg Days has something for everyone
July 23, 2025
The 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival kicks off Thursday, July 24, with the first Whole Hawg Rodeo hosted by the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce. Friday and Saturday will be filled with activi...
news
Eufaula man pleads guilty to murder
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 23, 2025
MUSKOGEE –William Clayton Brown, 42, of Eufaula, entered a guilty plea last week to a one-count Felony Information of Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree, punishable by up to life in prison and a $...
Anthem singers named
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Anthem singers named
July 23, 2025
The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce held an audition last week for singers to perform the National Anthem at the Chamber Rodeo, to be held July 24, 25 and 26. The rodeo starts at 8 p.m. “A huge thank...
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