EAGLE ONE PIZZA - The Holdenville Chamber of Commerce welcomed Eagle One Pizza to the business community with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, February 25. Pictured behind the ribbon are (left to right) Manager Brian Ama, Madison Harris (holding scissors), Rachid Dawdi, Morgan Harris, and Tori Sorrels.

Comments to: andybowman839@gmail.com Coffeetimecolumn.com Recently we had the opportunity to have lunch with a young newly married friend whom we haven’t seen in a few months. After the usual banter and light gossip about the lives of mutual friends, we asked about his life now that he had been a husband for a while.

Two of the three suspects in the June 24, 2018, shooting death of Jonathan Merriman were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee on Thursday, March 11. The third suspect is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, March 17.

If you have ever had the pleasure of knowing Chuck Simmons, you will have no trouble understanding why he was chosen as our Citizen of the Week. Chuck is the administrator at Heritage Village Nursing Center here in Holdenville. We have never known a more caring, hard-working nursing home administrator in the history of this town. Chuck is available to all of his residents and employees day and night. He often visits his patients room to room on a regular basis. He attends almost every funeral when one of his residents passes away. What you may not know is Chuck is also an incredibly gifted musician who often plays guitar and sings at nursing home parties. He and his wife are two of the finest people you will ever meet.

Liz Campbell is one of the most well-known citizens in our community. Her life has been dedicated to helping others and making sure Holdenville is the best it can be.

Morrison resident Dennis Casey and Holdenville resident Jack Sherry were sworn in as members of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education on March 4 by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma Gurich. Their appointment by Gov. Kevin Stitt was confirmed by both the Senate Education Committee and the full Senate.

PORTLAND, OR—Local progressive man William Mollison is currently obediently awaiting CDC instructions on whether or not it’s OK for him to inhale and exhale. The man is standing by, patiently awaiting the latest data on the CDC on if it’s OK for him to take a breath.

Top quality meat lovers don’t want to miss the Annual Production Steer Awards and Beef Auction, scheduled for Thursday, March 11 at the Hughes County Fairgrounds Expo Center on Highway 270. This highly popular event gives the public an opportunity to bid on some of the highest quality beef available produced by local cattlemen and raised by Hughes County 4-H and FFA students. Even if you don’t make a bid, it is an excellent opportunity to learn what to look for when shopping for the best quality beef.

Holdenville Fire Department Chief Shelton Foster made a special presentation recognizing firefighter JD Conley during the Tuesday, March 2 City Council meeting. Foster explained that this recognition has been in the works for some time, but the COVID pandemic has created setbacks that delayed the honor until now.

A house located at 600 S. Oak burned to the ground in a Sunday morning fire. Holdenville News visited with the man who was living in a mobile home behind the house who told us that he was not home when the blaze erupted. Neighbors who were witness to the morning’s events said they heard a loud explosion followed by billowing smoke and massive flames. The owner of the property was understandably devistated and commented how quickly everything was gone. There were no injuries and the fire is believed to be an accident but arson has not been ruled out as of presstime.