According to a probable cause affidavit filed at the Hughes County Court House, just two days after Christmas (12/27/22) at about 11:30AM, Chief Kyle Lening of the Holdenville Police Department was dispatched to a single vehicle accident near 203 E. Highway just in front of Pruett’s Grocery in Holdenville. When he arrived on the scene, he saw a red Chevy pickup turned upside down with a large piece of an electric pole resting on it with power lines down everywhere. Chief Lening observed that the driver, later identified as Shan Eric Moore, 38, of Holdenville, was safely out of the vehicle so he positioned his patrol unit to shut down the highway as the crash had created a severe hazard with leaking fuel and downed powerlines. OG&E, EMS, and Fire were all contacted and shortly arrived on the scene. EMS checked Moore, who stated that he was okay. While Moore was speaking to EMS, Chief Lening noticed that Moore’s speech was slurred. When asked by EMS what kind of animal Mickey Mouse was, Moore stated that he was a cat, then a dog, then said he didn’t know. Finally, after a few moments Moore stated that it was a mouse. Chief Lening stated that Moore’s slurred speech and his behavior led him to be suspicious that Moore may have been under the influence of an intoxicating substance. Chief Lening then asked to perform a Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) on Moore. Moore agreed to perform the tests but told Chief Lening before he took the test that he has had “like 9 concussions”.

Billie Lynn Leewright, lifelong Hughes County resident, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 78. Billie was born June 25, 1944 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to William Odus Stringfellow and Thelma Gladys (Bernard) Stringfellow. Billie attended Moss Public School. Billie married Don Leewright on June 26, 1959 in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Billie was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Holdenville and served her church and community in every way imaginable. She was full of love and had a servant’s heart. Billie was always looking for opportunities to help those around her. From food pantries, to the Pink Ladies, community outreaches and even simply chauffeuring people around, she made serving and giving back to others the highest priority. Billie was also a great cook and baker. She welcomed shoppers at the Holdenville Sharpe’s Department Store for 18 years, and then was First Deputy at the Hughes County Treasurers Office for 15 years.

Paula Gayle Pickett joined Larry in heaven on January 4, 2023. She was born to Pauline and Jack Jacobs of Holdenville on February 8, 1956.

Arnold Louis Shores, 90, of McAlester, Oklahoma passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023 in McAlester. The family will greet friends from 6:00 p.m.

Benjamin F. “Ben” Larney of Holdenville, Oklahoma went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. He was born June 13, 1936, in Holdenville to Louise Lowe and Jimmy Larney. He was raised by his aunt, Sally Lowe, and grandparents, Canuky and Tochee Lowe.

An arsonist responsible for several fires in Holdenville was arrested recently and charged with arson in the second degree. Chief Kyle Lening of the Holdenville Police Department, responded to a call at 7th and Pine at approximately 5:33 on the morning of December 7, 2022.

This project designed by Tetra Tech Inc. is scheduled to begin in early January. The project comes just on the heals of the recent Wewoka Creek and Railroad bridge replacements near Lima. This project will widen the highway, between Seminole and Wewoka, from two to four lanes with paved shoulders including some five lane segments with center turn lane. In addition, the project will upgrade or replace all bridges and drainage structures under the highway; many of which are over fifty years old. The contractor for the project is Overland Corporation of Ardmore, OK. The project is expected to take 610 days and cost approximately $57 million dollars. Oklahoma Department Of Transportation (ODOT) will administer the project from the Wewoka Residency. The Residency and the Contractor will make every effort to minimize the impact on traffic during construction however, drivers should be prepared for lower speeds and occasional delays.

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Our new year is finally here. So is winter. One thing I did first this year was call my sister Sue. She is now in an assisted living home up in Edmond and I was happy to find she received a new phone for Christmas. It is easier to use, so she thinks. I hope she is right. We have had a history of tough luck trying to communicate over her old one. Sue is 4 years younger than me, and we enjoy our time during phone visits. I went to church yesterday and the preacher spoke quite a bit about time. He noted, correctly how we waste it, how we can’t control it or stop it from passing. So true.

The above picture was taken at the Holdenville Dry Cleaners Christmas Party during the 1950’s. At this time, the dry cleaners was one of the largest businesses in Holdenville located across from the post office in the current location of Southeast Oklahoma Title. LLC. Pictured are: Front (L-R): Frances Aguirre, Elsie Reed, Irene May, Mary Jennings. Row 2: Mrs. Pat Thomas, Elsie Robinson, Clara Wiggs, Noel Wiggs, Ethel Woods, Marvin King, Audrey King, ?, Pat Thomas. Back: Otha Hooten, Marie MCCoin, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Gerald Elmore, ?