After hitting the ground running during his first week in office, Erik Johnson is settling in and establishing goals as District 22’s newest District Attorney. “My goal is to work closely with all law enforcement throughout the district, including tribal, federal, municipal, and county agencies,” said Johnson.

When one Holdenville citizen’s water, sewer, and trash bill rose from around $77 in September, $260 in October and then up over $500 in November, primarily in water use charges, the man said, he was shocked.

January is School Board Appreciation month and Holdenville Public schools would like to recognize and say thank you for the service and support of our local school board. The following members of the board serve a 5 year term and throughout their term, spend countless hours supporting our school system.

Arthur Ray Jones, AKA Baby Ray, AKA Arthur R, from Lamar, was born June 14, 1934, to Jack and Opal Jones at their home in Lamar, Oklahoma. He was the baby boy of 7 children: Delores, Leland, Pat, Wallace, Ray, Merl Dean and Nancy Kaye.

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”.

Holdenville Police Department released it’s December Report and they have had an incredibly busy holiday season. Arrests Made – 35 Traffic Stops – 223 Citations Issued – 54 9 Simple Assaults 5 Aggravated Assaults 1 Burglary/Breaking and Entering 2 Civil – Juvenile 1 Civil – Notice to Quit 2 Civil – Other 2 Disorderly Conduct 3 Driving Under the Influence 4 Drug/Narcotics- Violations 10 Drunkeness 6 Family 2 Welfare Fraud 12 Larceny/Theft 30 other public offenses 7 public peace alarm calls 41 public peace, animals 3 public peace, mental cases 8 public peace – other 5 runaway 3 stolen vehicles 5 threats/intimidation 5 traffic 2 vandalism 6 warrants for other agency 7 warrants – local 3 weapons law violations..

According to the Holdenville Fire Department Facebook page, they have had a busy year running 589 calls in 2022 which is 147 more than the 2021 log and 333 more calls than in 2019. Of those there were 47+ structure fires, 100+ grass fires, 120+ medical calls, 35 motor vehicle accidents, 15 car fires, and the rest of the calls were made up of fire alarms, lift assists, smoke investigations, power lines down and regular public service needs. As we start the new year off we would like to wish everyone a Happy & Safe New Year! We predict call numbers to continue to rise and want to ensure everyone that we are here ready to tackle any emergencies which may occur this year.

Members of the Holdenville Society of Painters and Sculptors (HSPS) volunteered time recently completing original works of art. Over 130 Holiday cards were completed by members of the HSPS on Mondays during weekly painting. Members completed the cards using a variety of media such as ink, colored pencil and watercolors. The cards were delivered by members of HSPS to residents of Boyce Manor and Heritage Village Nursing Homes to help celebrate the Holiday season. HSPS invites you to visit the gallery and view the original art pieces as you walk through at your own pace. Gallery pieces include permanent art as well as new pieces completed by members more recently with many available for sale. HSPS offers community events throughout the year including classes, art shows, and a summer art program.

Major action was taken last Tuesday at Holdenville’s city council meeting, some of which will hopefully help move the city forward in the coming weeks, but not before Councilman Ron Wiseman informed everyone that he would be resigning his Ward 3 council seat for the remainder of his term which is set to end in April when the city changes forms of government.

.