NEW YORK, NY—After conducting several trials, Pfizer has announced that their vaccine is now almost as safe for kids as getting COVID is. “We are very proud of this achievement,” said a Pfizer spokesperson.

MINOR LEAGUE – ELKS 5 WETUMKA 3 The Elks scored single tallies in the first and second innings, added two more in the third and one in the sixth to pick up their first victory at Wetumka. Wetumka trailed 5-2 going into the seventh stanza but rallied to score one run and leave two runners on base before absorbing the defeat.

Filing unopposed, Ron Wiseman set to take office in November for Ward 3 City Council seat. 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat have filed to run for the vacant District 3 County Commissioner Seat. They are Dale Stringer (R), Bill Spray (R), Josh Tatum (R), Jim Lively (R), and Larry Howard (D). Special Primary Election set for November 9, 2021. Special General Election set for February 8, 2022.

The Holdenville School Board held their regularly scheduled meeting last week. The first order of business was to appoint Terry Swayze to fill seat 1 of the school board which was left vacant by the resignation of Kristina Wells at the last school board meeting. Terry has been a resident of Holdenville for almost 20 years and a major supporter of Holdenville and the Holdenville School district. He has not only history here, but experience as well. Terry served on the school board for ten years from 2009-2019. The board voted unanimously to appoint. He is a familiar and welcomed face to the leadership of Holdenville Public Schools.

Friday, September 24 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Non-Livestock Entries Accepted (crafts, quilts, canning, etc.) Monday, September 27 8:00 - 12:00 Exhibit building closed to the public for judging of entries listed below: • 4-H Exhibit Judging • Horticulture Judging • Field Crop Judging • Craft Judging • Poultry Judging 1:00 pm Building will be opened to the public after the judging has been completed 2:00 - 4:00 pm Poultry and Rabbit entries accepted (Show Barn) 4:30 pm Spelling Bee (Exhibit Building) 5:00 pm Poultry/Rabbit Judging in Show Ring (Tabletop Show) released after show 6:30 pm Pet Parade sponsored by HALO at Buck Pavillion Donations will be accepted to help Holdenville Animal Shelter during the fair. This is a Community Service Project sponsored by the Hughes County 4-H Clubs.

The Holdenville City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting tonight. There will be several items of note to discuss, among them a raise for fire department employees. The council will also be discussing the recent increase to the city share of 911 dispatch costs. The item that will more than likely be the most controversial discussion of the evening comes just two weeks after the city council voted to revoke the benefit of a take home vehicle for the chief of police. Tonight, the council will be voting on whether or not to change the city ordinance concerning the position of chief of police entirely. Under the previous Mayor, Beverly Rodgers, the ordinance concerning the position of chief of police and the city clerk was changed from being an elected position to appointed or hired. She, along with those serving on the council at the time, believed that changing the position from elected to hired would take the politics out of the position and also allow the council to find the best qualified candidates possible for the position. Many in the community felt it took away their voice and rights as citizens to choose their elected leaders. Under the current Holdenville City ordinance 5-1-2, “the chief of police shall be appointed by the mayor, with approval of the city council, along with other police officers as the mayor and council deem necessary. (1985 Code § 13-401)” After a vote of last year’s city council, the chief of police can also live up to 60 miles outside the city limits of Holdenville. If the change is approved tonight (September 21), the position of chief of police will be elected by the citizens of Holdenville in an election and be required to live within the city limits. The city clerk position will not be affected by this vote. This item has been placed on the agenda after major public opposition and criticism to the police department by a city councilman and a member of his family on social media. Sources tell us that the dispute began over a major disagreement between officers and the city councilman over arresting procedures and protocols. Shortly after the dispute, three officers resigned from the police department. Less than 48 hours later, after meeting with the personnel committee and the chief of police, two of them asked if they could return to work. Both have returned to work as of last Saturday night. Last month (August), the Holdenville Police Department answered 505 calls for service and made 43 arrests. The News will have the full story of what was discussed and what decisions were made concerning the position of chief of police in next week’s edition.

MEET YOUR 2021 HOLDENVILLE WOLVERINE FOOTBALL HOMECOMING COURT! Pictured (L-R): Freshman attendant Ally Inselman with escort Malachi Henderson, junior attendant Gracie Story with escort Christian Zambrano, Queen Liberty Jackson with escort AJ Fixico, senior attendant Sammie Eckles with escort Haysen Sigman, senior attendant Ashlyn Chaney with escort David Olney, and sophmore attendant Belle McFarland with escort Cash Carter. Ring bearer is Dustin Hunter and flower girl is Elizabeth “Lizzie” Remis.

Gary Twomey, a longtime resident of Holdenville, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021, in Oklahoma City. Gary is survived by his two daughters, Stephanie M.

“The guy from New York City”, fondly known to his family and friends as Georgie, nicknamed “Speedy”, passed from this life after a brief illness on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. He was born in Manhattan, New York on October 2, 1939 to George and Olga (Santos) Gonzales. As a child he was raised in the Bronx, Astoria Queens, and Bethpage, Long Island.

Terry Kenneth Steele passed away Monday, September 6, 2021, at his home in Southern California at the age of 52. Terry was born December 13, 1968 in Abilene, Texas to Kenneth and Norma Steele and special mother Debbie.