Wildcats survive Ironhead rally to win 21-14 in 110th meeting

B:, sports

December 31, 2025

It lived up to its billing as the Checotah Wildcats (6-4, 4-3 District 3A-3) survived a Eufaula Ironheads (2-8, 2-5 District 3A-3) rally late in the fourth quarter to win 21-14 and winning the McIntosh County Championship Trophy for the third consecutive year and securing a playoff spot. It was a game of physicality, big hits, great receptions, on-side kicks and fumbles lost.

“This was a tough and brutal game. We were lucky to come out on top. They really played well. I’m just very proud of how we responded and competed. It was a typical Eufaula and Checotah football game,” Checotah head coach Zac Ross said.

A: Main, news

Eufaula losing two prominent citizens

By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

December 31, 2025

Robyn and Randy Burris, two of Eufaula’s leading citizens who are shining examples of what it means to be community spirited, will be leaving in January for Sheridan, Ark., just south of Little Rock. ...

A: Main, news

2025: Year in review

By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

December 31, 2025

The year 2025 was an eventful one for Eufaula. Many local residents joined forces to help defeat the creation of a wind turbine farm in the county. The Muscogee Nation opened its Lake Eufaula Casino i...

A: Main, news

The subsidy cliff: What the end of ACA subsidies means for McIntosh County

By Staff Reports

December 31, 2025

Congress has allowed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which significantly lowered premiums for millions, to expire on December 31, 2025. There is no stopgap and no extension. While Washington ...

A: Main, news

Steele pleads guilty to robbery

By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

December 31, 2025

Dallas Allen Steele, 38, Checotah, has pled guilty to robbery with a weapon and possession of a firearm after a former felony conviction. On Dec. 10, Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges sentenced...

news

WMU Alliance prepare gifts for nursing home

December 31, 2025

The Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) recently wrapped gifts for residents of Lakeview Nursing home. Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), founded in 1888, is the largest Protestant mission’s organization for ...

commentary

Merit vs. equity in college football

December 31, 2025

Now that the playoffs are set, it’s worth taking a moment to understand the flaws and biases built into the college football ranking system. While fairness may be an interesting word, I’m someone who ...

commentary

We all need Jesus

December 31, 2025

Another year around the sun and as I turned 57 on Dec. 30 I realize that no matter how old we get – we all need Jesus. Though the world may label us old, out dated or off our rockers, the truth is wit...

commentary

A very busy 2025 for children

By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO

December 31, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – It is hard to believe that 2025 has come to an end. For those of us at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), I must say that our work felt incredibly important this year wi...

news

A Writer Returns: The Spirit of Posey, and the Souls of Eufaula

By MICHAEL BARNES

December 31, 2025

There are journeys we plan, and journeys we are called into. After my wife passed nearly three years ago, I became a quiet traveler—wandering, grieving, watching life from a distance. For two years, I...

commentary

Christmas Is Over – Now What??

By REV. THERESE STARR

December 31, 2025

It still catches my attention every year how all the preparation, excitement, stress, busy-ness, and joy of Christmas all seem to suddenly drop away, leaving almost nothing behind, once the celebratio...

commentary

New Year resolutions will work — if you’re aligned with God!

By LENORE BECHTEL

December 31, 2025

New Year resolutions will work—if you’re aligned with God! The gap between Christmas and the New Year is generally when people plan life improvements for the next 365 days. This past Sunday LECC Assoc...