On what should have been a day of celebration and personal triumph, the family of Carley Tatum stood in her place at the University of Oklahoma, accepting an honorary degree awarded posthumously to a young woman remembered for her kindness, dedication, and heart for helping others.

Native american convocation.

Holdenville High School proudly inducted three exceptional students into its Fine Arts Hall of Fame this spring, honoring their remarkable achievements in music and their leadership in the Golden Pride Band. Colson Hall, Noah Higgins, and Ty Phillips have each left an indelible mark on the HHS band program, earning recognition at the state level and serving as role models to their peers.

ne of my all-time favorite heroes in the Bible is Joshua. That guy had an amazing life: If you think about it in vernacular terms, he spent his childhood and young adulthood doing an unpaid internship with Moses, learning everything his teacher had to offer and getting a front-row seat to some of the greatest miracles God ever did.

Tyson Macaih Morrison passed away in Oklahoma City on Friday, April 18, 2025, at the age of 20 years. Tyson is the son of Jerry Don Morrison Jr and Bridget Marie Mason, born on January 19, 2005, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

ClaudDean went to be with the Lord on 4/12/2025. She passed away peacefully at her daughter Dana’s home in Riverside, CA with her family by her side at the age of 85. ClaudDean had just learned one month prior that she had cancer, and it was non-operable. She was a devoted and loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born in Hughes County, Oklahoma just south of Spaulding. As a child she moved with her family to Orange,California. However, they returned to the Lamar area toward the end of her elementary school years, and she grew up helping farm with her family. As an adult ClaudDean moved to California where her two older sisters Ruth and Hazel were already living, met her husband Jerry, and started a family. In the late 70’s they moved to Wetumka, OK after buying the Carroll’s Feed Store from her cousin, James Carroll. While in Wetumka the family enjoyed being part of a small town, going to high school sports events, rodeos, parades, and the Dairy Queen. A few years later they sold the feed store and moved to Riverside, CA, where they enjoyed raising their children and getting to be part of their grandchildren’s lives. ClaudDean enjoyed the beauty of nature, takinga- drive, picnicking, gardening, and vacations to Oklahoma to spend time with family. ClaudDean loved her family with a passion and was always there to support them in every way. She was an amazing gracious woman, who put others’ needs before her own.

Elizabeth Carmalida ‘Liz’ Kaufman passed away in Holdenville, Oklahoma on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the age of 77 years. Liz is the daughter of Albert Franklin Enyart and Alvern Mae (Robinson) Enyart.

Billy Dwane ‘Bill’ Conley passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the age of 79 years. Bill is the son of Marlin ‘Preacher’ Conley and Linda Marie (Null) Conley, born on August 24, 1945, in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

Tommy Joe Streater passed away in Ada, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 62 years. Tommy is the son of Haskell Ray Streater and Naomi Lee Trimble, born on April 24, 1963, in Wewoka, Oklahoma, where he was brought up and attended schools.

The credibility of the lead investigator for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department has been called into question by the United States Attorney’s Office. According to a letter from Christopher J.