HUGHES COUNTY COURT RECORDS FELONIES Karen Oliver— trafficking in illegal drugs Kristina Pack— domestic assault & battery by strangulation Joseph Anthony Paxton—eluding/ attempting to elude Police Officer Jonas Smith—driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol MISDEMEANORS Mark Lester Green— possession of controlled dangerous substance Paul Thomas Riley— public intoxication David L. Scott—public intoxication Billy Wayne Stephens—protective order violation MARRIAGES Jacob Travis Blazer and Taylor Mae Muncey, both of Shawnee Carlos L.

Residents at Heritage Village and Boyce Manor Nursing Homes recently received a thoughtful reminder that, even though the COVID-19 virus has severely limited the number of family and friends that are allowed to visit them face to face, they are far from being forgotten.

The Holdenville Police Department has declared war on the thieves and vandals damaging our local businesses and engaging in the petty theft of our citizens. In the past month alone multiple business and several homeowners have been broken into and had their property stolen and destroyed. It is believed to be the same small group of thieves using police scanners and scouts to listen and watch for police on patrol so they can avoid being caught committing the robberies. One local business owner said, “We are all concerned about it and we want to implement some measures to stop it for good. There has been a lot of damage over this past year, there has been several breakins. Just last week they got into The Motorcycle Shop just off the highway by destroying the front door with a cinder block and stole three chainsaws and all the petty cash. It’s just frustrating. We work hard to build these businesses up and we have to pay our way. We don’t run around stealing things. We want to see if we can work out some measures to stop it.” Among some of the ideas raised by local citizens have been increased lighting, security cameras and guard dogs. Chief of Police Conny Clay said, “There was no easy fix to the problem, but we have got to try and deter them as much as we possibly can and make it as hard for them as we can.” Chief Clay says that security cameras, increased lighting and guard dogs are proven methods to deter thieves and vandals, but he would like to take it one step further. Chief Clay is forming a Citizens Neighborhood Watch Committee to help patrol our neighborhoods at night. There will be a direct hotline that will ring a cell phone of the officers on duty that members of the committee can call directly when they see a crime in progress. This will avoid being picked up by the criminal’s police scanner and give the police a better chance of catching the criminals in action. If any of our citizens are interested in being part of the Neighborhood Watch Committee, please attend the first meeting Saturday, December 19 at 12:00pm at the Civic Center (124 N. Creek). The Police Department will be increasing patrol during nights and weekends and pulling over anyone and anything out after curfew. If you are a law-abiding citizen, you have no need to worry, the police are here to protect you. To the gang of thieves terrorizing our community: you’ve been warned.

The Holdenville community mourns the loss of Cecelia Louie, better known as “CeCe” to most of her friends. Holdenville Police Chief Conny Clay explains Cecelia died after being struck by a truck Wednesday evening, December 9. The fatality is being investigated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, but Chief Clay states there is no reason to believe her death was anything other than a tragic accident. There was no indication of alcohol after the driver voluntarily submitted to a test. The driver stated that she was wearing dark clothing and he didn’t see her in the road as he came over the hill until it was too late to avoid hitting her, Clay added.

Despite over 2 inches of snow in the Holdenville area, the Nativity Scene at the home of Cathy Williams still stands strong and looks beautiful. For additional snow pictures, see page A-2 inside today’s newspaper.

Voters in Hughes County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the January 12 Special County Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Brandy Davis said today. Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5 , Davis urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early.

PLATINUM DONOR - The Holdenville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture presented a plaque to Luke Degraffenreid, Manager of the Holdenville Boomerang Diner, recognizing the Diner as a 2019 Platinum Sponsor of the Chamber. Chamber President Tonja Weaver is pictured making the presentation during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon meeting at the Boomerang Diner (the Chamber rotates their meetings each month between three local restaurants). Weaver explained that the Chamber would have normally made this recognition during the annual Chamber Banquet, but the event was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 virus.

The Seminole Nation Museum in Wewoka reminds the public that they are currently hosting the exhibition, “Borders & Boundaries: The Blurred Edges of Decolonization.” The show will remain in residence at the museum through February 27, 2021.

Tim and Ashley Allford Bragg proudly welcomed a precious baby girl into this world on Saturday, October 3. 2020. Hollis Bea Bragg was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma weighing 8 pounds and measuring 19 inches long. Hollis’ brothers, Hayes, Archer and Ford, are completely thrilled to shower their baby sister with love and adoration. Hollis’ big sister, Scout Bragg of Fredericksburg, Virginia, is glad to finally have another girl in the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Olivo of Holdenville are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter, Ashley, of Norman, to Jimmy Morrow, of Ardmore. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gann of Lamar and Alice Olivo and the late Marvin Olivo of Holdenville. Ashley is a 2001 graduate of Holdenville High School, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. She currently works at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City.