Diana Kincaid, Stacy Beach, Micah Baker, Karen Barn Barnhart, and Connie Massey CEO Tip Burch, Mike Stallings, Penny Stallings, Conner Bunch, Stacy Beach, and Diana Kincaid Richard Carr, Jimmy Freeman, Patty Freeman, and David Pope Mark Schell and Phillip Roberts Dayna Robinson, Kim Carr, LaVerne Pinion, Richard Carr, Bill Robinson Dayna Robinson, Kim Carr, LaVerne Pinion, Richard Carr, Bill Robinson James Pulliam (Miller-Tippens Construction), Joey Evans (Ambler Architects), Aubie Keesee, Zack Burrow (Miller-Tippens Construction) Jesse Grandstaff and Richie Roberts.

MISEMEANORS Russell Shane Epperley— breaking and entering with unlawful intent MARRIAGES Nekkia Christine Neash Rodriguez and Amberly Michelle Sanders, both of Choctaw Chad Alvin Thomison and Rebecca and Joann Whitebird, both of Holdenville CIVIL Burton-Gibbs Finance, Inc. vs.

In a statement posted on Facebook last week, The Plumbers, LLC said they would no longer be working for the City of Holdenville due to the petty politics taking place among some city officials, stating, “The Plumbers have decided to withdraw from municipal line maintenance for The City of Holdenville. We have created a well-equipped unit operated by a team of dedicated members. We have proven our importance to the infrastructure that sustains this community. Our rates have been subpar for the work we have preformed. Since June of 2018 The Plumbers have made 240 line repairs at an average cost of $500 a repair. That is $127k over 3.5 years. Only $42,000 per year to establish, staff, maintain, improve, fuel, transport, insure, plan, coordinate, and execute all other aspects that involve cultivating a unit on the ready 24/7 for the many 8” lines that decide to rupture in the night. Or the 6” leak raining down on heads in an 8 degree cold snap. Bodies saturated to the bone and clothing turned to ice. All at a moments notice. How can you bid this? It’s not a call to fix leaks. It’s a department that is being operated. This department is being operated by a family woven into this community for three generations. Decades of reputation demonstrating loyalty, honesty, and integrity within the homes that create this community. How do you even put a price on this? At the small wage the city pays it will cost $33k per year staff one position. No experience or knowledge, just a person to clock in and out making $9/hr. Yet the city has acquired a $100k unit staffed with 3-4 members at the ready 24/7 for only $42k per year. No maintenance required. No fuel to fill. No insurances to pay. No benefits to provide. No planning or coordinating. Simply report leak and pay invoice. A fully capable unit that can overdeliver without the oversight. Yet somehow get publicly criticized for our cost by a select council member...”

Bethany Foster earned Bronze in her Division at the Tulsa State Fair. Pictured are Amanda and Brent Ray, Jamie and Hank Neal, Bethany Foster and Ethan Purkins, Moss FFA Advisor. Congratulations, Bethany!

Neil Swecker of Pruett’s Grocery is show holding a simese pumpkin. The first such pumpkin that Neil and the publisher have ever seen!.

The Holdenville Lions Club met on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 for breakfast at 7:00 am. The meeting was held at Boom-a-rang Diner in Holdenville.

OPEN HOUSE HELD AT THE NEW SECURITY STATE BANK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1. A large crowd enjoyed touring the bank and an elegant spread of food. We are all proud of this new facility. Pictured above are Front (L-R): Amber Gasaway, Jana Arnn, Aubie Keesee, Kendal Logan, Brandi Williams, Macy Inselman, Kim Carr, Richard Carr. Back (L-R): Landon Moody, Mary Arthur, Dakota Brooks, Ryan Nicolls

Amidst all the of the controversy concerning Holdenville’s history with the office of chief of police, there are stories so rich and characters so colorful, they sound as if they were taken straight from a novel. However, these are not men of fiction, but men of history, Holdenville’s history. Former Chief of Police, Jerry Young shared with the council and the public some of Holdenville’s history with our former chiefs of police at a recent city council meeting. We were able to sit down with Jerry and talk about some of Holdenville’s finest heroes of the past.

Please allow me to introduce Bill Spray. Bill Spray has been a part of the Allen/Atwood area since 1989 when he moved here from Wanette, Oklahoma. He married Rhonda Rinehart in 1990 and they have two daughters. He raised his family in this area until they left briefly to follow his job.

Thanks to Kim Shed, Holdenville’s Grace M. Pickens Public Library will be receiving an ARPA (America Rescue Plan Act) grant for over $11,000. ARPA funds are made available through the Institute of Museum and Library Services Oklahoma Department of Libraries has allocated $1.4 million in ARPA funding for grants to public libraries. Eligible grant amounts for each library were determined by a formula based on population, mileage of service area, poverty level, unemployment rate, SNAP clients, and internet reach.