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A: Main, news
April 30, 2025
Beware of scam texts, OTA warns
By Don?t click on unfamiliar links

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is advising consumers to be wary of the pervasive smishing text scam plaguing Oklahomans.

Scam text messages have been targeting tolling authorities nationwide for the past year. Oklahomans are seeing a significant increase in these texts after bad actors in other countries have mimicked OTA’s pikepass.com website and messaging.

“We want to be clear that the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is in no way affiliated with these fake text messages or emails claiming that people owe unpaid tolls,” said Executive Director Joe Echelle. “OTA is actively combatting these false websites by reporting them to the authorities and working with domain registrars to have them taken down as quickly as possible. The reality is that this scam will remain active as long as unsuspecting consumers are making unnecessary payments to these thieves. We are asking the public to please only pay tolls through approved and secure methods.”

As of noon last week, OTA’s IT security personnel working in conjunction with other tolling authorities nationally had identified 264 scam websites and 146 websites had been deactivated in the past week, Echelle said.

“The problem is that we’re seeing multiple fake websites go up at a time including 100 new websites in the past 24 hours alone to continue this egregious targeting of consumers,” he said. “We want to reassure turnpike customers that their personal information remains secure with OTA as these false text messages are not related to actual turnpike travel.”

Some of the smishing texts claim consequences that are not possible. The OTA cannot impound vehicles or garnish wages, as examples.

There are some easy ways to identify these texts and emails as fraudulent: • Coming from an email or an international number.

• The message is unexpected.

• Spelling errors, poor grammar, or odd sentence structure.

• Extreme urgency.

• Links that are not verifiable or not from trusted sources.

• Includes unexpected attachments.

• Requires an opt-in in order to complete the action required.

OTA has partnered with the Federal Trade Commission, which has provided an Oklahoma specific reporting link. Those who receive a fraudulent text are encouraged to report it to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc. gov/#/?orgcode= OKTPKE and/or to the FBI’s IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

The public is encouraged to report and delete the text message, or they also may forward it to the FTC’s text line at 7726.

Those with questions or concerns about their PIKEPASS account may check their accounts online at www.pikepass. com. PlatePay customers may look up any tolls owed by entering in their license plate number at www.platepay. com.

For more information about how to identify scam text and email messages, go to https:// pikepass.com/updates.

School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
A: Main, news
School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
September 17, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - Eufaula School Board President Jeff Pippenger and Checotah School Superintendent Monte Madewell were honored for their contribution to education during the annual Education Leadership ...
A: Main, news
Brace yourself for traffic disruptions
September 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin its long-awaited street project on Main Street (SH 9) in downtown Eufaula next week. An ODOT spokesman said traffic control will begin Monday, Sept...
A: Main, news
McIntosh is Candidate for 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma
September 17, 2025
Miss Janaya McIntosh of Eufaula is a candidate for the upcoming 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma pageant. The Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women (OFIW) pageants offer young Native American women a chance to...
A: Main, news
Ford holding food drive
September 17, 2025
Ford dealers around the world are joining together to conduct the World’s Largest Ford Dealer Food Drive, now through Sept. 25. The local dealership where you may drop off food is Sam Wampler’s Freedo...
A: Main, news
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 17, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament is just a week away, to be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd., Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at...
A: Main, news
POW/MIA Ceremony is Friday
September 17, 2025
On Friday, Sept. 19 the VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a dinner in honor of soldiers who have not returned home from battle. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Post dining room on SH 9 east.
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A: Main, news
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday
September 17, 2025
Don’t miss the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday, September 20. Come walk and show your support as locals bring awareness to suicide and how you can prevent it. “Being able to see the wa...
A: Main, news
Flag exchange drive
September 17, 2025
VFW Auxiliary 8798 would like to help you properly dispose of your worn out flags. We will exchange your worn 3x5 United States American Flag for a brand new one. Dates will be shared over the upcomin...
A: Main, news
Tribal Town Spelling Bee Sept. 27
September 17, 2025
The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town and the MCN Language Preservation Program will host the 10th annual Mvskoke Language Spelling Bee Competition on Sept. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Eufaula Indian Co...
A: Main, news
Suspect awaits sanity decision in Minner case
By MICHAEL BARNES 
September 17, 2025
When a June 10 headline shook the community—Selby Minner, beloved blues musician and cultural icon, found dead—the shock reverberated through Rentiesville and far beyond. The one arrested for her murd...
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
September 17, 2025
117 FFA and 4-H students from across the state convened at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 4th Annual Capitol Camp held Sept. 3 – 4. The camp was an immersive twoday experien...
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