Okmulgee County News Source
September 14th
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
The Okmulgee community held a Sept. 11 or 9-11 Prayer Service on Thursday evening.
The event was staged as a time to remember that horrific day 13 years ago.
The prayer service was hosted by the Catholic community of Okmulgee - including St Anthony of Padua & Uganda Martyrs Catholic churches - and also the 1st Presbyterian Church of Okmulgee.
A collection was taken from the attendees and $525.00 for the Wounded Warrior Project. This is a prime example of our pledge to NEVER FORGET what happened on that sunny Tuesday morning.
It is also an example of something good coming out of something bad. God bless those who donated money toward the Wounded Warrior Project.
We can never do enough to repay those service members who went to war on our behalf and were left with crippling scars and wounds of their service.
Many of those who died or were wounded were American patriots who joined the service in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
We salute them ... and we remember those who were killed or wounded in that massive attack.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Carolyn Norris ... a longtime volunteer for The Salvation Army chapter here in Okmulgee. Carolyn does a million things to help people and many local residents have been helped by her caring spirit.
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• This Day in History
1792 - The French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.
1784 - "The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser" was published for the first time in Philadelphia. It was the first daily paper in America.
1893 - Frank Duryea took what is believed to be the first gasoline- powered automobile for a test drive. The "horseless carriage" was designed by Frank and Charles Duryea.
1897 - The New York Sun ran the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" editorial. It was in response to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon.
1931 - Britain went off the gold standard.
1931 - Japanese forces began occupying China's northeast territory of Manchuria.
1937 - J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" was first published.
1941 - "The Second Mrs. Burton" premiered to the entire CBS Radio Network.
1948 - Milton Berle debuted as the host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC-TV. The show later became "The Milton Berle Show." Berle was the regular host until 1967.
1948 - "Life With Luigi" debuted on CBS Radio.
1949 - Communist leaders proclaimed The People's Republic of China.
1957 - "Perry Mason", the television series, made its debut on CBS-TV. The show was on for 9 years.
1961 - Antonio Abertondo swam the English Channel (in both directions) in 24 hours and 25 minutes.
1964 - Malta gained independence from Britain.
1966 - The Soviet probe Zond 5 returned to Earth. The spacecraft completed the first unmanned round-trip flight to the moon.
1970 - "NFL Monday Night Football" made its debut on ABC-TV. The game was between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns won 31-21.
1973 - Henry Kissinger was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become 56th Secretary of State. He was the first naturalized citizen to hold the office of Secretary of State.
1981 - The U.S. Senate confirmed Sandra Day O'Connor to be the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
1981 - Belize gained full independence from Great Britain.
1982 - National Football League (NFL) players began a 57-day strike. It was their first regular-season walkout.
1982 - Amin Gemayel was elected president of Lebanon. He was the brother of Bashir Gemayel who was the president-elect when he was assassinated.
1984 - General Motors and the United Auto Workers union reached an agreement that would end the previous six days of spot strikes.
1985 - North and South Korea opened their borders for their family reunion program.
1993 - Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin announced that he was ousting the Communist-dominated Congress. The action was effectively seizing all state power.
1996 - The board of all-male Virginia Military Institute voted to admit women.
1996 - John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette in a secret ceremony on Cumberland Island, GA.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Larry Hagman 1931
Stephen King 1947
Ethan Coen 1958
Dave Coulier 1959
David James Elliot 1960
Nancy Travis 1961
Catherine Oxenberg 1961
Rob Morrow 1962
Faith Hill 1967
Ricki Lake 1968
Alfonso Ribeiro 1971
Maggie Grace 1983 - Actress ("Lost")
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• Scripture for Today - I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. —Psalm 121:1-2
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph.
August 31st
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
The voter turnout in the recent Democratic Primary Runoff was a very paltry 11 percent. That’s so sad ... and so expected.
The Okmulgee County Election Board records indicate that 15,351 people were elgible to vote last Tuesday. However, the election attracted only 1,629 voters.
I was not surprised by the low turnout. I had advanced warning from my friend Randy Belford. He went to his polling place during the noon hour or a little later.
“I’m the ninth person to vote,” Randy told me.
I waited until about 6:30 p.m. to cast my vote. I always wait to near closing time so as to get an idea of the voter participation. I was the 34th person to vote in a precinct of over 500 elgible voters.
“You must write something in the paper about this low turnout,” one of the disappointed precinct workers said. “This is just terrible.”
I know people are busy. Lord knows I’m busy. But I find the time to vote. I feel it is my duty to do so.
You know who else voted? Jorene Coker drove down to her polling place. She is a World War II veteran who is not feeling the best in the world. Even so, she cared enough to vote.
Jim Vaughn, a dear friend of mine, is on the other side of 90. I could excuse him for not voting. But this World War II hero didn’t ignore his civic duty. He proudly exercised his right to vote.
If Jim and Jorene can muster the energy to cast their ballots, so can most other folks.
Shame on all those who are eligible to vote but were too busy or didn’t care enough to do so.
I hope you’ll think of Jorene Coker and Jim Vaughn next time ... and follow their example.
August 24th
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
The Bulldog Rising campaign is an ongoing push to ignite a spirited revival of a once-thriving school system and community.
The goal is to rekindle Okmulgee pride - and to switch from a ‘just survive’ mode to a ‘let’s thrive’ attitude.
Campaign slogans are usually slick. But being slick doesn’t mean they will be effective and produce the desired results.
As for Bulldog Rising, I am more convinced every day that it will hit the target. I am seeing more and more positive signs all the time.
Plans are taking shape to give downtown a much-needed facelift. Folks in the business community are looking to invest their money and their hopes in a prosperous community. That will add to the tax revenue that funds our city services.
The Muscogee Creek Nation is joining hands with Okmulgee officials to improve the lives of tribal members and non-tribal members who share this town and the county.
The Okmulgee Public Schools are actively improving all phases of education for our students. The high school Science Department is the home to a state-of-the-art lab and classroom setting. Bond money from the citizens financed the facelift.
Incredible improvements are also on display at Harmon Field. The new artificial surface is beautiful. There is also a new first-rate track that will allow Okmulgee to host regional track meets for the OSSAA. Construction of a new track and field building is complete. With these changes, Harmon Field is now a perfect blend of a WPA-era sandstone structure and the modern new additions inside the stadium. As an added bonus, OHS band director Rusty Helms and his award-winning Bulldog Band will soon host its second invitational band competition at Harmon Field. The competition raises money for the OHS band program - but also works to raise the stature of the entire community.
If you need any additional proof of a new spirit in town, look back at the recent All-School Alumni cruise night event. The desire to remember our beloved Okmulgee back in the good old days resulted in hundreds of current and former residents driving the streets with their music blaring. These folks wanted to remember an Okmulgee that was alive and full of hope. They wanted to know that their magical history could be a magical future. And that’s what Bulldog Rising represents. It’s also what all these other ongoing projects will bring to the people of this town.
It’s just possible that our best days are still ahead of us. That makes this old editor feel pretty good about the folks who call Okmulgee home.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Judy Lewis, a pet lover who works to help save unwanted dogs and cats from a dismal life and horrible death. Judy is not the only local person who works at this mission. However, she has done so for many, many years and deserves to be recognized for her efforts.
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• This Day in History
0079 - Mount Vesuvius erupted killing approximately 20,000 people. The cities of Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum were buried in volcanic ash.
1932 - Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the U.S. non-stop. The trip from Los Angeles, CA to Newark, NJ, took about 19 hours.
1949 - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) went into effect. The agreement was that an attack against on one of the parties would be considered "an attack against them all."
1986 - Frontier Airlines shut down. Thousands of people were left stranded.
1989 - Pete Rose, the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, was banned from baseball for life after being accused of gambling on baseball.
1991 - Russian President M2005 - The planet Pluto was reclassified as a "dwarf planet" by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Pluto's status was changed due to the IAU's new rules for an object qualifying as a planet. Pluto met two of the three rules because it orbits the sun and is large enough to assume a nearly round shape. However, since Pluto has an oblong orbit and overlaps the orbit of Neptune it disqualified Pluto as a planet.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Joe Regalbuto 1949
Gerry Cooney 1956
Stephen Fry 1957
Steve Guttenberg 1958
Cal Ripken, Jr. 1960
Craig Kilborn 1962
Marlee Matlin 1965
Reggie Miller 1965
Claudia Schiffer 1971
David Chappelle 1973
Chad Michael Murray 1981
Rupert Grint 1988
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• Scripture for Today - By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. —Psalm 42:8
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 98. South wind around 10 mph. Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
August 10th
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Okmulgee has played host this weekend to the 59th annual Okmulgee Roy Leblanc Invitational.
The world-class event attracted outstanding cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation. Competition in the rodeo arena is the highlight of the weekend. However, the town was delighted to also staged a colorful parade in downtown on Saturday afternoon. Roundup clubs from far and wide dress up in club colors and ride their horses down Sixth street to adoring fans.
While other local festivals have come and gone, the August rodeo event has lived on as a must-see attraction for almost 60 years. The residents of this community are fortunate that the late Roy Leblanc and a handful of others turned their vision into a reality.
We welcome everyone who comes to Okmulgee to support this rodeo and all the activities. We thank you for the economic impact it brings to local hotels, convenience stores, and restaurants.
Thanks for coming to town. We hope you’ll keep coming back for decades to come.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... SFC Melvin Morris, an Okmulgee native, who recently was presented the Medal of Honor of his incredible bravery in 1969 in Vietnam. The retired soldier has brought great credit to himself, the U.S. Army, his nation and his hometown.
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• This Day in History
1821 - Missouri became the 24th state to join the Union.
1846 - The Smithsonian Institution was chartered by the U.S. Congress. The "Nation's Attic" was made possible by $500,000 given by scientist Joseph Smithson.
1859 - In Boston, MA, the first milk inspectors were appointed.
1869 - The motion picture projector was patented by O.B. Brown.
1881 - Thomas Edison's exhibit opened the Paris Electrical Exhibition.
1885 - The first electric streetcar, to be used commercially, was operated in Baltimore, MD, by Leo Daft.
1914 - Austria-Hungary invaded Russia.
1921 - Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio.
1927 - Mount Rushmore was formally dedicated. The individual faces of the presidents were dedicated later.
1945 - The day after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan announced they would surrender. The only condition was that the status of Emperor Hirohito would remain unchanged.
1947 - William Odom completed an around-the-world flight. He set the solo record by completing the flight in 73 hours and 5 minutes.
1949 - In the U.S., the National Military Establishment had its name changed to the Department of Defense.
1994 - U.S. President Clinton claimed presidential immunity when he asked a federal judge to dismiss, at least for the time being, a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Corbin Jones.
2003 - Ekaterina Dmitriev and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko were married. Malenchenko was about 240 miles above the earth in the international space station. It was the first-ever marriage from space.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Bobby Hatfield (The Righteous Brothers) 1940
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) 1947
Patti Austin 1948
Gene Johnson (Diamond Rio) 1949
Daniel Hugh Kelly 1952
Rosanna Arquette 1959
Antonio Banderas 1960
John Farriss (INXS) 1961
Julia Fordham 1962
Aaron Hall 1964
Lorraine Pearson (Five Star) 1967
Michael Bivins 1968
Angie Harmon 1972
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• Scripture for Today - The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. —Isaiah 33:22
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night -A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. midnight.
August 3rd
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
It’s that time of year when young people from Okmulgee and across the county end their summer break. They’ll return to school to begin the 2014-15 fall term.
This is an exciting time for most students. They’re busy now getting clothes and school supplies to be ready for that first day of classes.
With all that excitement in the air, the children are not always as careful as they need to be when making their way to the bus stop or walking to school. That’s why it is important for drivers to be 100 percent alert for the children. Watch out if you are driving in the neighborhoods where children group up at bus stops. Sometimes they get a little rowdy and might jump out into traffic. Make it a point to drive slowly any time you approach children at a bus stop.
There are also children who walk from their homes to the school. They often have to cover several blocks and must cross several intersections. Please be aware of them, especially in the early morning before first bell and later in the afternoon when they make their way back home.
Children are such a blessing. Please drive with care and help keep them safe.
Classes in Okmulgee start this week. You can check out the starting dates for all of the county schools in an article on Page 1 of today’s Okmulgee Times.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Johnny Ray ... If they gave away a Mr. Nice Guy Award, Johnny would be a runaway winner in Okmulgee. He is active in the Second Baptist Church and has been an outstanding radio news director on the local station for many years. We are truly blessed to call him a friend and a colleague.
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• This Day in History
1492 - Christopher Columbus left Palos, Spain with three ships. The voyage would lead him to what is now known as the Americas. He reached the Bahamas on October 12.
1750 - Christopher Dock completed the first book of teaching methods. It was titled "A Simple and Thoroughly Prepared School Management."
1880 - The American Canoe Association was formed at Lake George, NY.
1900 - Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. was founded.
1914 - Germany declared war on France. The next day World War I began when Britain declared war on Germany.
1922 - WGY radio in Schenectady, NY, presented the first full-length melodrama on radio. The work was "The Wolf", written by Eugene Walter.
1923 - Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th president of the U.S. after the sudden death of President Harding.
1933 - The Mickey Mouse Watch was introduced for the price of $2.75.
1936 - The U.S. State Department advised Americans to leave Spain due to the Spanish Civil War.
1936 - Jesse Owens won the first of his four Olympic gold medals.
1943 - Gen. George S. Patton verbally abused and slapped a private. Later, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered him to apologize for the incident.
1949 - The National Basketball Association (NBA) was formed. The league was formed by the merger between the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League.
1956 - Bedloe's Island had its name changed to Liberty Island.
1958 - The Nautilus became the first vessel to cross the North Pole underwater. The mission was known as "Operation Sunshine."
1979 - "More American Graffiti" was released.
1979 - Johnny Carson, the "Tonight Show" host, was on the cover of the Burbank, CA, telephone directory.
1981 - U.S. traffic controllers with PATCO, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, went on strike. They were fired just as U.S. President Reagan had warned.
1984 - Mary Lou Retton won a gold medal at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
1985 - Mail service returned to a nudist colony in Paradise Lake, FL. Residents promised that they'd wear clothes or stay out of sight when the mailperson came to deliver.
1988 - The Iran-Contra hearings ended. No ties were made between U.S. President Reagan and the Nicaraguan Rebels.
1988 - The Soviet Union released Mathias Rust. He had been taken into custody on May 28, 1987 for landing a plane in Moscow's Red Square.
1989 - Hashemi Rafsanjani was sworn in as the president of Iran.
1990 - Thousands of Iraqi troops pushed within a few miles of the border of Saudi Arabia. This heightened world concerns that the invasion of Kuwait could spread.
1992 - The U.S. Senate voted to restrict and eventually end the testing of nuclear weapons.
1992 - Russia and Ukraine agreed to put the Black Sea Fleet under joint command. The agreement was to last for three years.
1995 - Eyad Ismoil was flown from Jordan to the U.S. to face charges that he had driven the van that blew up in New York's World Trade Center.
2004 - In New York, the Statue of Liberty re-opened to the public. The site had been closed since the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Martha Stewart 1941Beverly Lee 1941 - Musician (The Shirelles)
B.B. Dickerson 1949 - Musician (War)
John Landis 1950
JoMarie Payton 1950
Jay North 1951
Marcel Dionne 1951
Johnny Graham 1951 - Musician (Earth, Wind & Fire)
John C. McGinley 1959
James Hetfield 1963 - Musician (Metallica)
Metallica music - Metallica Merchandise
Ed Roland 1963 - Musician (Collective Soul)
Dean Sams 1966 - Musician (Lonestar)
Shirly Manson 1966 - (Garbage)
Evangeline Lilly 1979
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• Scripture for Today - You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. —Psalm 119:114
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.
July 27th
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Each year, an average of 160 peace officers in the United States are killed in the line of duty.
The victims come from every area of our nation - North, South, East and West. Sadly, some come from right here in Okmulgee County.
Ronald K. Jackson is one of those fallen heroes.
Back in 1981, Ron was living the American dream.
The Okmulgee County resident was a happily-married husband and the father of 3 children. His family lived in the Duck Creek area near the Church of Prophecy on 241st Street.
In his free time, Ron served as a reserve deputy for Sheriff Gene Rice. It was this voluteer job that would cost Ron his life.
Ron was at home on the final day of January 1981. He received a call about a possible break-in or burglars at the nearby church. The reserve deputy agreed to go investigate the report.
As he walked into the church foyer on that horrific Saturday morning, Ron was ambushed by 2 county jail escapees. He was reportedly forced to kneel on the floor and then executed with a bullet to the face.
It was been 33 years since Ron Jackson gave his life while serving as a reserve deputy.
I remember his story very well. That’s because I was the Okmulgee Times reporter who covered the incident and wrote the newspaper coverages.
Ron’s family never forgot their dad and how he sacrificed his life for Okmulgee County.
Sadly, the passing of the years has diminished Ron Jackson’s memory. But if Fred McGuire has his way, that is about change.
McGuire is the Okmulgee County Undersheriff and a man on a mission. He is determined to see that Ronald K. Jackson is recognized and honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The undersheriff has worked tirelessly to investigate the Jackson murder. He is compiling all the details needed to see the fallen hero listed with the other peace officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you, Fred, for your dedication to Ronald K. Jackson and the other county lawmen who also perished in the line of duty.
See Page 9a for a feature on Ronald. K. Jackson and the day his life ended far too soon.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Paul Edward Brown, who has brought an incredible amount of ‘sunshine’ into our lives. This westside kid went on to the United States Air Force and served in the Vietnam War. He then returned to his beloved Okmulgee and became famous in a small town. There’s only one Paul Brown (thank goodness)!
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• This Day in History
1801 - A 1,235 pound cheese ball was pressed at the farm of Elisha Brown, Jr. The ball of cheese was later loaded on a horse-driven wagon and presented to U.S. President Thomas Jefferson at the White House.
1868 - Legislation that ordered U.S. tax stamps to be placed on all cigarette packs was passed.
1908 - In the United States, the Sullivan Ordinance bars women from smoking in public facilities.
1944 - U.S. President Roosevelt was nominated for an unprecedented fourth term of office at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
1947 - The National Football League (NFL) ruled that no professional team could sign a player who had college eligibility remaining.
1969 - Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. became the first men to walk on the moon.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Kim Carnes 1946 - Singer
Carlos Santana 1947 - Musician
Frank Whaley 1953
Donna Dixon 1957 - Actress (Wayne's World, Dr. Detroit)
Reed Diamond 1967
Josh Holloway 1969 - Actor ("Lost")
Ray Allen 1975 - Basketball player
Charlie Korsmo 1978
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• Scripture for Today - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
—Romans 1:16
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
The feature film ‘Get on Up’ is due to hit American movie theaters on August 1.
The movie is directed by Tate Taylor, who also brought us the critically-acclaimed film ‘The Help.’
Tate’s latest movie will tell the story of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history. Brown - the Godfather of Soul - ranks as one of the most famous singers in history.
I’m anxious to see the movie. However, my focus will not be limited to James Brown. I’ll be looking to see how much spotlight is shed on Brown’s lead guitar player Jimmy Nolen.
Nolen is a native of Okmulgee County. He grew up in the Grayson area and attended school there. He left the sleepy little community to play his guitar at clubs in Tulsa. He later made his way to Los Angeles’ thriving music scene.
In 1965, Nolen was hired to play in the James Brown Band. The county native left Brown for a 2-year stretch beginning in 1970. Nolen re-joined Brown in 1972 and played for the superstar for the next 11 years.
Sadly, Nolen unexpectedly died of a heart attack in Atlanta in December 1983. He had played with the Godfather of Soul for 16 of his final 18 years.
The musician’s body was returned to his native Okmulgee County, where he was buried in the family plot just north of Grayson.
I recently spoke with the late guitar player’s son, who is a retired police detective with the Tulsa Police Department. I also visited the Senior Nutrition Center in Grayson to talk with family and friends of the late singer.
I stopped by the last house Nolen lived before he moved away. I also went down the dirt and gravel road to the rural cemetery to see his final resting place. I walked the quiet cemetery, searching dozens and dozens of headstones before finding his modest grave. As I stood there, I thought about the wild ride he took in the shadow of James Brown.
Looking ahead, I’m certain Tate Taylor will do a good job of telling the James Brown story.
As for me, I am currently working on a tribute for Jimmy Nolen. This incredible guitarist deserves to have his story told, especially in his home county.
Nolen has been in the shadow of James Brown for far too long. This ultra-talented singer and guitar player deserves his own time in the spotlight.
Be watching for the Jimmy Nolen feature in the Okmulgee Times.
continued on page 2b
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Nanny Talton ... Nanny is one of my favorite local citizens. She is a the key members of the Prayer Band group. She also provided decades of public service in the Okmulgee County Assessor’s Office. She took the County Assessor’s post in January 1981 and retained the position until retiring.
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• This Day in History
1754 - At the beginning of the French and Indian War, George Washington surrendered the small, circular Fort Necessity in southwestern Pennsylvania to the French.
1787 - The U.S. Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, enacted the Northwest Ordinance, which established the rules for governing the Northwest Territory, for admitting new states to the Union and limiting the expansion of slavery.
1978 - Lee Iacocca was fired as president of Ford Motor Co. by chairman Henry Ford II.
1998 - "Image of an Assassination" went on sale. The video documentary is of Abraham Zapruder's home video of U.S. President Kennedy's assassination in Dallas.
1998 - RealNetworks Inc. rolled out a test version of RealSystem G2. G2 is a streaming video and audio delivery system.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Harrison Ford 1942
Cheech Marin 1946
Didi Conn 1951
Louise Mandrell 1955
Cameron Crowe 1957
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• Scripture for Today - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
June 29th
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Here’s a big hello and welcome to the folks who are visiting the community for the annual Muscogee Creek Nation Festival.
The weekend is filled with wonderful activities and we hope you truly enjoy your trip to the capital of the Creek Nation.
A special thanks to all the tribal members who worked so hard to make this festival an incredible success.
Principal Chief George Tiger is very proud to showcase the community to our out-of-town guests.
Be safe ... have fun ... and thanks again for coming to this wonderful place we call home.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Marge McKinnon... a lady who has been doing so much for so many for so long. She’s just a great lady and we are certainly better for having her in our town.
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• This Day in History
1767 - The British Parliament approved the Townshend Revenue Acts. The acts imposed import duties on glass, lead, paint, paper and tea shipped to America.
1925 - Marvin Pipkin filed for a patent for the frosted electric light bulb.
1941 - Joe DiMaggio got a base hit in his 42nd consecutive game. He broke George Sisler's record from 1922.
1946 - British authorities arrested more than 2,700 Jews in Palestine in an attempt to end alleged terrorism.
1950 - U.S. President Harry S. Truman authorized a sea blockade of Korea.
1951 - The United States invited the Soviet Union to the Korean peace talks on a ship in Wonson Harbor.
1953 - The Federal Highway Act authorized the construction of 42,500 miles of freeway from coast to coast.
1972 - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." The ruling prompted states to revise their capital punishment laws.
1995 - The shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir docked, forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the Earth.
2007 - The Apple iPhone went on sale.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Gary Busey 1944
Little Eva Boyd 1945
Richard Lewis 1947
Fred Grandy 1948
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• Scripture for Today - The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. —2 Thessalonians 3:3
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 15 to 20 mph.
Sunday Night -Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
June 22nd
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
I drive all over Okmulgee and around the county in my reporting assignments with the newspaper. What I have noticed too often is a problem with blind intersections and blind traffic signs.
That can be a problem - and a driving hazard.
The blind intersections are the ones in which you pull up to a stop sign and are unable to see if there is oncoming traffic from the sides. If the cross-traffic doesn’t have a stop sign, the vehicles are driving 25 to 30 miles per hour - or maybe even a little faster.
Too often, you can not see down the side street because of an obstructed view. This is sometimes because some homes on the corner lot have large bushes or trees. This growth obstructs your view to the points where it is dangerous. You have to pull foward to see - and sometimes this has your vehicle too far into the intersection. If a vehicle is coming down the side street at 30 mph it does not give them much warning before your car is in their path!
Upon on North Taft street, one intersection offers such an obstructive view. The other example is at the intersection of Martin Luther King and Wilson, next to Okmulgee Middle School.
In both cases, you risk life and limb if you are east-bound on MLK and stop at Wilson. The drivers on Wilson have thru traffic and do not have to stop there. The result is that the MLK drivers have to pull so far forward to see if there is south-bound traffic that it is dangerous for both vehicles. With parents sometimes rushing their kids to school, this is a bad spot to have a blind intersection.
My suggestion to the City of Okmulgee is to review these type of intersections and add a stop sign so that blind intersections are no longer a threat. You stop and the other driver stops and then you go safely on your way.
My other concern is the blind traffic signs at some intersections. There is one on North Taft that is more dangerous to those not familiar with the street and the stop signs. If you are south-bound on Taft, a beautiful tree has large branches and limbs that block the driver’s view of a ‘hidden’ stop sign right behind them. You are right on top of the intersection before the sign is visible. If you are doing the legal speed limit, you are in danger of running that stop sign and striking a crossing vehicle.
My suggestion is a simple one for this type of problem. I would create reflective tape tiny stop signs in the same colors and place them on the bottom section of the stop sign pole. I’d place them about a foot off the ground. They would be easy to see - even with the tree limbs blocking the upper portion of the stop sign. If you had the ‘tape’ warning wrapped around the base of the pole, it would warn drivers well in advance of the intersection.
Both of the solutions I have offered are practical and not too expensive. I believe both would make driving a safer proposition for our citizens.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... the Muscogee Creek Nation, for the wonderful impact on our community and its citizens.
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• This Day in History
1970 - U.S. President Richard Nixon signed an extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It required that the voting age in the United States to be 18.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Kris Kristofferson 1936
Ed Bradley 1941
Meryl Streep 1949
Lindsay Wagner 1949
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• Scripture for Today - What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his very soul? —Mark 8:36
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Sunday Night - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
6-15
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in Okmulgee and across our nation.
This is ‘our day’ to be honored and noticed - and maybe even spoiled a bit.
Gifts are nice ... but it’s those personal thank-you messages that truly touch our hearts.
My children are no longer children. They are young adults with busy lives. Even so, they are good about remembering dear old dad on Father’s Day. That’s good enough for me.
I don’t have to have a gift on Father’s Day to be happy. A phone call or even a text from my kids is just fine and dandy. Of course I wouldn’t get mad if they happen to buy me a book or a power tool - but that’s strickly optional.
The real gift they’ve given me is a lifetime of wonderful memories. On this special day, I’ll recall a time when my children were little and needed me. That’s where the memories were created.
I’ll remember when they learned to say Da Da.
I’ll remember watching them take those first, unsteady, baby steps when learning to walk.
I’ll remember them wanting daddy when ghosts and monsters terrorized their dreams.
I’ll remember when they showered me with hugs and kisses for no obvious reason.
I’ll remember a million other things that come with being a father.
Now, they are big people with big dreams. They need a lot of things ... but, in reality, they don’t need their daddy anymore.
My job today as father is kind of like being the Vice President of the United States. I have a title, but my job is not all that important. I’m fine with that.
I am proud of how my children have turned into loving, caring adults. For that, I’ll gladly take a little credit ... and maybe a book or a power tool.
Happy Father’s Day to my fellow dads.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... all fathers who take their roles seriously and work hard to be a role model and example for their children. This is the most important and most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.
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• This Day in History
1775 - George Washington was appointed head of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.
1836 - Arkansas became the 25th U.S. state.
1844 - Charles Goodyear was granted a patent for the process that strengthens rubber.
1846 - The United States and Britain settled a boundary dispute concerning the boundary between the U.S. and Canada, by signing a treaty.
1864 - An order to establish a military burial ground was signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. The location later became known as Arlington National Cemetery.
1866 - Prussia attacked Austria.
1877 - Henry O. Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
1898 - The U.S. House of representatives approved the annexation of Hawaii.
1909 - Benjamin Shibe patented the cork center baseball.
1911 - The Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co. was incorporated in the state of New York. The company was later renamed International Business Machines (IBM) Corp.
1916 - U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.
1917 - Great Britain pledged the release of all the Irish captured during the Easter Rebellion of 1916.
1919 - Captain John Alcock and Lt. Arthur W. Brown won $50,000 for successfully completing the first, non-stop trans-Atlantic plane flight.
1938 - Johnny Vandemeer (Cincinnati Reds) pitched his second straight no-hitter.
1940 - The French fortress of Verdun was captured by Germans.
1944 - American forces began their successful invasion of Saipan during World War II.
1947 - The All-Indian Congress accepted a British plan for the partition of India.
1948 - Soviet authorities announced that the Autobahn would be closed indefinitely "for repairs."
1958 - Greece severed military ties to Turkey because of the Cypress issue.
1964 - The last French troops left Algeria.
1978 - King Hussein of Jordan married 26-year-old American Lisa Halaby, who became Queen Noor.
1981 - The U.S. agreed to provide Pakistan with $3 billion in military and economic aid from October 1982 to October 1987.
1982 - In the capital city of Stanley, the Falklands war ended as Argentine troops surrendered to the British.
1983 - The U.S. Supreme Court reinforced its position on abortion by striking down state and local restriction on abortions.
1986 - Pravda, the Communist Party newspaper, reported that the chief engineer of the Chernobyl nuclear plant was dismissed for mishandling the incident at the plant.
1992 - It was ruled by the U.S. Supreme Court that the government could kidnap criminal suspects from foreign countries for prosecution.
1992 - U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle instructed a student to spell "potato" with an "e" on the end during a spelling bee. He had relied on a faulty flash card that had been written by the student's teacher.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Steve Walsh 1951 - Musician (Kansas)
Terri Gibbs 1954
Jim Belushi 1954
Julie Hagerty 1955
Brett Butler 1957 - Baseball player
Wade Boggs 1958
Helen Hunt 1963
Scott Rockenfield 1963 - Musician (Queensryche)
Courteney Cox 1964 - Actress ("Friends")
Michael Britt 1966 - Musician (Lonestar)
Jimmy McD 1968
Ice Cube 1969 - Rapper
Leah Remini 1970
T-Bone Willy 1972 - Musician (Save Farris)
Neil Patrick Harris 1973
Elizabeth Reasor 1975 - Actress ("The Family Stone", "Twilight") - Twilight Merchandise
Billy Martin 1981 - Musician (Good Charlotte)
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• Scripture for Today - Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12:2
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 10 mph.
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6-8
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Okmulgee has been selected several times as a backdrop for feature films.
In this role, the town has gained a well-deserved reputation for being a wonderful host for the movie.
The producers of ‘Christmas Child’ gushed over the helpful and friendly reception from city officials and the citizens. In fact, Tom Newman was so impressed that he returned several years later to film much of “Home Run” in this community.
Stars Scott Elrod and Vivica Fox both expressed their great appreciation for the people of Okmulgee. Actor Drew Waters was very impressed with the warmth of the people in all the locations Home Run was filmed.
“Everybody is friendly and nice,” he said. “They open their doors up to you and they allow you to really get involved in the community. They come out and support you 100 percent.”
Tyler Robards was just as impressed when he shot the feature film “The Only Oly” in Okmulgee (with a few scenes shot in Preston).
Director Jason Burks of Retrospect Films also praised Okmulgee for the friendly support shown during local filming of “It's Just Brunch.” Star Toby Morton expressed similar appreciation to the people of Okmulgee for cooperation with the production company.
“The Brick House” was also welcomed to town during shooting of the feature film. Former Okmulgee resident Scott Martin is a member of the production and was delighted with the local cooperation.
You might say Okmulgee has gone a little “Hollywood” over the past decade or so. Now that we’ve established ourselves as such a good host, it is time to build on that opportunity.
There have been discussions to create an Okmulgee Film Commission. The goal would be to actively seek out other film projects for the community. The production companies will spend lots of money during their stays. They rent hotel rooms, buy lots of food and gas, and building material and supplies for the film project. Okmulgee also benefits from the goodwill we create hosting the cast and crew.
I’m hoping we don’t let this opportunity fade away. It’s time for our community leaders to step up and see the local film commission becomes a reality. There is little or no financial investment needed. We just need a few active volunteers to step up and form this group.
Together, we can make a lot more movie magic in Okmulgee.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Chester Hodge, a retired police chief who honorably served and protected this community for many years.
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• This Day in History
1786 - In New York City, commercially manufactured ice cream was advertised for the first time.
1953 - The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregated restaurants in Washington, DC.
1961 - The Milwaukee Braves set a major league baseball record when four consecutive home runs in the seventh inning.
1965 - U.S. troops in South Vietnam were given orders to begin fighting offensively.
1987 - Fawn Hill began testifying in the Iran-Contra hearings. She said that she had helped to shred some documents.
1988 - The judge in the Iran-Contra conspiracy case ruled that Oliver North, John Poindexter, Richard Secord and Albert Hakim had to be tried separately.
1996 - China set off an underground nuclear test blast.
1998 - The National Rifle Association elected Charlton Heston to be its president.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Barbara Bush 1925 - Wife of President George H.W. Bush
Jerry Stiller 1929 - Actor, comedian ("The King of Queens," "Seinfeld")
Joan Rivers 1933 - Television personality
Nancy Sinatra 1940 - Singer
Boz Scaggs 1944 - Singer
Sonia Braga 1950 - Actress
Kathy Baker 1950 - Actress
Bonnie Tyler 1953
Griffin Dunne 1955 - Actor, director
Keenan Ivory Wayans 1958 - Actor, director
Mick 'Red' Hucknall 1960 - Musician (Simply Red)
Nick Rhodes 1962 - Musician (Duran Duran)
Julianna Margulies 1967 - Actress ("The Good Wife," "ER")
Kelli Williams 1970 - Actress ("The Practice")
Lindsay Davenport 1976 - Tennis player
Kanye Omari West 1977 - Singer, rapper
Kim Clijsters 1983 - Tennis player
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• Scripture for Today - I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
—Ephesians 3:17-19
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday Night Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
6-1
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
In my job, I have met some mighty interesting people.
One of my all-time favorites is Mary Volturo.
Mary, an Arkansas native, moved to Henryetta in 1933 and on to Okmulgee in 1935. She has lived here all these years, except for the two times she lived in Hollywood, California.
Her sweetheart, George, kept asking her to come back home. She missed George - and she missed Okmulgee - so Mary boarded an east-bound train.
Mary and George were married in 1950. They made their home in a small four-plex apartment on South Alabama. However, it wasn’t too long before George built their home in Country Club. The beautiful house on Woodlawn is still her home.
As for Mary, she has enjoyed an interesting life. She fondly recalls working as a classified ads sales clerk at the Okmulgee Times. She met George while working at the Times.
Mary also worked at Okmulgee radio station KHBG. The small AM station operated out of the Enterprise Building on West 6th Street. It was the frontrunner to today’s KOKL am 1240.
Mary loved her time at the radio station. She was given lots of different jobs, but all of them were fun and interesting. Years later, she returned to radio for the popular ‘Mary and Paul Show’ on KOKL Radio am 1240. Wednesday morning listeners enjoy the friendly banter between the soft-spoken Mary and station icon Paul Brown.
Mary often takes listeners on a trip down memory lane. She recalls her exciting experiences in Hollywood. She talks about Okmulgee’s people and places that are long-gone - but not forgotten.
Sadly, Mary has decided to retire from her weekly radio show. She’s told her last story - and shared her last recipe.
This wise and wonderful lady is going to spend more time with her family. It’s our loss but their gain.
She is a real treasure - and someone I consider a dear friend.
I am praying for nothing but the best for Mary.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Tammy McKee, who retired this year after teaching music to our young people at Okmulgee Primary School. This teacher instilled a love of singing and music and performance to countless children over the years.
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• This Day in History
1789 -The first U.S. congressional act on administering oaths becomes law.
1921 - A race riot erupts in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing 85 people.
1939 - The Douglas DC-4 makes its first passenger flight from Chicago to New York.
1941 -The German Army completes the capture of Crete as the Allied evacuation ends.
1958 - Charles de Gaulle becomes premier of France.
1963 - Governor George Wallace vows to defy an injunction ordering integration of the University of Alabama.
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• Today’s Birthdays
1937 - Morgan Freeman
1940 - Rene Auberjonois, actor (Clayton-Benson, Star Trek Deep Space 9)
1947 - Jonathan Pryce
1956 - Lisa Hartman Black
1964 - Mark Curry
1966 - Greg Schiano, American football coach
1973 - Adam Garcia, Australian actor
1973 Supermodel Heidi Klum
1974 - Alanis Nadine Morisette, vocalist (Jagged Little Pill)
1979 - Santana Moss, American football player
1980 - Oliver James, British actor
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• Scripture for Today - But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. —Psalm 103:17-18
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 10 mph.
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5-25
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
The annual Memorial Day weekend has arrived in Okmulgee County and across the nation. It’s the holiday we set aside to honor all the men and women who have died in military service to our country.
It’s a day to remember the local heroes who gave their lives in battle. It’s for guys like Edwin K. White who was killed on Nov. 10, 1918 - one day before World War I ended.
It’s a day to salute heroes who fell in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. We owe them all an incredible debt for their sacrifice.
For me, personally, it’s another day to remember my dear friend, Tony Joe Potter, Jr. We lost this outstanding young man on Sept. 9, 2011. He was 20 years old and had everything to live for. He had a beautiful wife and a baby on the way. But this brave Oklahoma National Guard member was shot down on Friday, September 9, 2011 in Paktia Province, Afghanistan.
Tony Joe made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation - and for people in a foreign land that he did not know.
On this weekend, let’s not make it a holiday for hamburger cookouts and a day off work. Let’s pause briefly and salute Tony Joe Potter Jr. and all the other brave souls who died in defense of our country.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... the military heroes who put on a uniform each day and sacrifice so much so we can be free. We honor the fallen ones this weekend, but should be honoring all the active duty military folks every day!
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• This Day in History
1935 - Babe Ruth hit his final homerun, his 714th, and set a record that would stand for 39 years.
1935 - Jesse Owens tied the world record for the 100-yard dash. He ran it in 9.4 seconds. He also broke three other world track records.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Mike Myers 1963 - ("Austin Powers" movies)
Anne Heche 1969 - Actress ("Volcano")
Jamie Kennedy 1970 - Actor, comedian, rapper
Brian Urlacher 1978 - Football player
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• Scripture for Today - You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
—Galatians 5:13
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5-18
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Congratulations to all the young people across Okmulgee County who are graduating from high school this month.
Some members of the ‘Class of 2014’ have already participated in commencement exercises at their respective schools. Others will take those final steps this week.
Having hung in there and completed your high school education is a wonderful milestone. Some did so despite facing challenges and roadblocks. Whatever your indivudal circumstances, we are proud of you for making it across the high school finish line.
Years from now, you’ll look back and realize that these were some of the best years of your life. The people in your classes will be some of the best friends you will ever have.
Pause and look around. Take the time to appreciate the classmates for what they brought to your life over the years.
Please thank the teachers who have been so dedicated to your educational success.
Last of all, hug mom and dad or those who raised for you and took care of you as you grew into a mature young person.
Congratulations again for this noteworthy accomplishment.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... . Rev. Charlie Green. Besides leading the congregation at the First Christian Church of Okmulgee, he is active with the Okmulgee Salvation Army, spearheading many of the activities including the annual Manna Day which provides school supplies. He is also active with a ministry at the Okmulgee County Jail.
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• This Day in History
1642 - Montreal, Canada, was founded.
1652 - In Rhode Island, a law was passed that made slavery illegal in North America. It was the first law of its kind.
1792 - Russian troops invaded Poland.
1798 - The first Secretary of the U.S. Navy was appointed. He was Benjamin Stoddert.
1802 - Great Britain declared war on Napoleon's France.
1896 - The U.S. Supreme court upheld the "separate but equal" policy in the Plessy vs. Ferguson decision. The ruling was overturned 58 years later with Brown vs. Board of Education.
1917 - The U.S. Congress passed the Selective Service act, which called up soldiers to fight in World War I.
1934 - The U.S. Congress approved an act, known as the "Lindberg Act," that called for the death penalty in interstate kidnapping cases.
1951 - The United Nations moved its headquarters to New York City.
1980 - Mt. Saint Helens erupted in Washington state. 57 people were killed and 3 billion in damage was done.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Reggie Jackson 1946 - Baseball player
Joe Bonsall 1948 - Musician (The Oak Ridge Boys)
George Strait 1952 - Country musician
Chow Yun-Fat 1955 - Actor
Yannick Noah 1960 - Tennis player
Martika 1969 - Singer
Tina Fey 1970 - Actress, comedian ("30 Rock," "Saturday Night Live")
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• Scripture for Today - The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. —Zephaniah 3:17
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
5-11
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Today is the day we officially salute and celebrate dear old mom.
It’s Mother’s Day in America.
Much like Valentine’s Day, men scramble around to find that perfect card, the beautiful flowers, and a box of candy.
For this holiday, dads are allowed to enlist the help of the kids to find the Mother’s Day gifts. After all, it’s not really Wives Day, is it? But that’s a topic for another day.
Restaurant business should be booming today. After all, nobody wants mom to spend her special holiday preparing Sunday’s meal. It’s a perfect excuse to go out to eat.
Folks will make a big fuss over mom all day today. Hopefully, she’ll realize how much she is appreciated, for all she does for the family.
My own mother have been gone for 24 years. Even so, I still appreciate all the things she did for our family. I can’t call her on the phone or give her a hug. I can only enjoy the memories of our time together.
If your mother is still with you, please take the time to show her how much she means to you.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful women who make our lives so much richer.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Starr Griffin ... who is a mother, a Chamber Ambassador, a volunteer at the Open Gate meals ministry, and so much more.
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• This Day in History
1858 - Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd U.S. state.
1927 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded.
1934 - A severe two-day dust storm stripped the topsoil from the great plains of the U.S. and created a "Dust Bowl." The storm was one of many.
1947 - The creation of the tubeless tire was announced by the B.F. Goodrich Company.
1949 - Siam changed its name to Thailand.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Dr. Robert Jarvik 1946 - Scientist, researcher, entrepreneur
Jeffrey Donovan 1968 - Actor ("Burn Notice")
Matt Leinart 1983 - Football player
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• Scripture for Today - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday -Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
4-20
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Okmulgee is a wonderful community with a lot of good-hearted people. We are reminded of this by so many acts of kindness.
We have ‘angels’ those who cook free meals for the public each Wednesday.
We have the United Methodist Church volunteers operating a food pantry for the local folks in need a little help.
We have the wonderful work provided year-around by The Salvation Army.
There are too many others here to name. That’s what is so special about the people of Okmulgee. So many are so willing to donate time and money, or both, to help their brothers and sisters in need.
Sadly, we also have a few people here who are down-right mean and uncaring. These folks are looking for ways to hurt other people with some cruel act.
Such was the case recently at the Okmulgee Primary School. Students there have been growing a garden on the playground. They were growing these vegetables to help others. But a mean-spirited person or people decided it would be fun to destroy this little garden. The vandals recently carried out the cruel trick at the school.
The Okmulgee Times will follow up on this incident with news coverage in a few days. We plan to meet with the teacher who operated the garden project. We want to share her thoughts on the program - and why someone would be so mean to destroy it.
In any case, it’s a sad commentary on a small fraction of people. I can only shake my head and wonder why they would chose to do such an act.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Dr. Ed Osborn ... who despite having retired from practice, is still busy helping others. As a member of the Okmulgee Wellness Coalition, he works hard at encouraging citizens to be well- whether they keep active in gardening (Okmulgee Community Garden), walking (Walking Trails) or just getting rid of dangerous habits such as smoking.
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• This Day in History
1792 - France declared war on Austria, Prussia, and Sardinia. It was the start of the French Revolutionary wars.
1836 - The U.S. territory of Wisconsin was created by the U.S. Congress.
1902 - Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolated the radioactive element radium.
1912 - Fenway Park opened as the home of the Boston Red Sox.
1961 - FM stereo broadcasting was approved by the FCC.
1988 - The U.S. Air Forces' Stealth (B-2 bomber) was officially unveiled.
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• Today’s Birthdays
George Takei 1937
Ryan O'Neal 1941
Steve Spurrier 1945
Jessica Lange 1949
Luther Vandross 1951
Denis Leary 1958
Crispin Glover 1964
Carmen Electra 1972
Joey Lawrence 1976
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• Scripture for Today
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
—1 Corinthians 1:18
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• Today’s Forecast - Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Sunday Night A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 10 mph.
4-6
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Longtime county residents will never forget the horrible night the 1984 “Morris Tornado.”
The F3 twister slammed into Okmulgee County at 11:33 p.m. on April 26. It touched down 12 miles southwest of Morris. The tornado was 1,760 yards wide and moved in a northeastern direction for 22 miles.
Sadly, Morris sat in the path of the storm. The beautiful little town took a direct hit and suffered massive structural damage, injuries and death.
The tornado’s overall count listed as 8 dead and 95 injured.
On the same date, eight other tornadoes touched down across Oklahoma. Three people were killed and 37 injuries in Creek and Pawnee counties. Besides Morris, it was the most tragic scene in the series of tornadoes.
It has been 30 years since the deadly tornado outbreak. Morris has rebuilt and is better than ever. But the good folks there have not forgotten those hurt or killed in the violent storm. They are planning a major event this month to honor the spirit and determination of this resilient community.
See page 8A for a related article.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Dee Hennigan ... who has been volunteering along with others to operate the Open Gate meals program. Because of her tireless work, lots of local folks enjoy a free hot meal each Wednesday.
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• This Day in History
1789 - The first U.S. Congress began regular sessions at the Federal Hall in New York City.
1875 - Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the multiple telegraph, which sent two signals at the same time.
1917 - The U.S. Congress approved a declaration of war on Germany and entered World War I on the Allied side.
1965 - U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized the use of ground troops in combat operations in Vietnam.
1985 - William J. Schroeder became the first artificial heart recipient to be discharged from the hospital.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Lowell Thomas 1892 - Broadcaster, journalist
Merle Haggard 1937 - Country musician, songwriter
Barry Levinson 1942 - Director, producer
John Ratzenberger 1947 - Actor ("Cheers")
Marilu Henner 1952 - Actress ("Taxi", "Evening Shade", "Cannonball Run 2")
Candace Cameron Bure 1976 - Actress ("Full House")
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• Scripture for the day
John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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•Local Forecast
Sunday - Rain likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night - A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday - A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night - A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday - Sunny, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
3-30
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
The Okmulgee Times has provided our readers with information about this Tuesday’s election. Voters will decide whether to fund the purchase of a building for the police department.
We have additional coverage in today’s edition of the newspaper. Please take the time to read the material.
There have been valid concerns raised about the proposal. We have attempted to share both sides. The effort continues today as we present a plea for support from Police Chief Joe Prentice. We also offer Terry Watkins’ Letter to the Editor opposing the issue.
There is still time to ask questions if you have not decided which way to vote.
Speaking as the editor, I strongly support the proposal. I believe that it would be far too expensive to do anything else. But, whether you agree with me or not, please take the time to go to the polls and cast your ballot.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Seth Kellogg .. a man who does more for this community than most of us will ever realize. Countless local children have been treated to a day at the movies because of his kindness. We often hear from out-of-towners with stories of how Seth personally came to their rescue during vehicle breakdowns.
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• This Day in History
1867 - The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars.
1870 - The 15th amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race, was passed by the U.S. Congress.
1981 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded in Washington, DC, by John W. Hinckley Jr. Two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady were also wounded.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Peter Marshall 1930 - Game show host ("Hollywood Squares")
Warren Beatty 1937 - Actor
Jerry Lucas 1940 - Basketball player
Eric Clapton 1945 - Musician
M.C. Hammer 1962 - Rapper
Celine Dion 1968 - Singer
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• Scripture for the day
John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
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• Today’s forecast
Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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3-23
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Residents who live inside the Okmulgee city limits will vote April 1 on a proposal to purchase a building to re-locate the Okmulgee Police Department from their current address.
The $700,000 purchase, if approved, would be financed from an existing city fund.
The City received $3.2 million for the sale of the Creek Nation Council House to the Muscogee Creek Nation. The entire $3.2 million is currently earmarked for economic development, quality of life, tourism and similar “lawful uses” of the City of Okmulgee. However, the voters will decide whether to take $700,000 to purchase and remodel one or more buildings for the police department.
The Okmulgee Times has received letters opposed to the proposal. There are others who have expressed their desire to provide the police a more suitable facility to carry out their jobs. Proponents point out that there would still be $2.5 million available for the promotional efforts of Okmulgee.
My best advice is to study the issues and obtain answers to your questions. Take the time to educate yourself prior to the April 1 vote. Speak with your council representative and/or a police officer. Once you know all of the facts, you will be far more confident in your decision.
Take the time to read the related newspaper articles on the topic. You’ll find a letter from Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice on Page 3a of today’s newspaper.
Please go to the polls on April 1 and make your wishes known at the ballot box.
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• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Leman Lewis, who works hard with the Okmulgee Dunbar Alumni Association to offer the community a free breakfast each month. Leman is also the pastor of a church in Holdenville.
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• This Day in History
1889 - U.S. President Harrison opened Oklahoma for white colonization.
1912 - The Dixie Cup was invented.
1917 - In the Midwest U.S., four tornadoes kill 211 people over a four day period.
1942 - During World War II, the U.S. government began evacuating Japanese-Americans from West Coast homes to detention centers.
1965 - America's first two-person space flight took off from Cape Kennedy with astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young aboard. The craft was the Gemini 3.
1967 - Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. called the Vietnam War the biggest obstacle to the civil rights movement.
1983 - Dr. Barney Clark died after 112 days with a permanent artificial heart.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Joan Crawford 1905 - Actress (Mildred Pierce, The Unknown)
Roger Gilbert Bannister 1929 - Neurologist, British athlete, first man to run the mile in less than four minutes
Chaka Khan 1953 - Singer ("I Feel For You")
Moses Malone 1954 - Basketball player
Keri Russell 1976 - Actress ("Felicity")
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• Scripture for the day
11. Eph 2:8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
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• Today’s forecast
Sunday - Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 15 mph.
Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. East wind around 15 mph.
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Freezing temperatures still
possible over next few days
Okmulgee County could see another day or two of temperatures at or below freezing in the coming week. That’s the local forecast issued by the National Weather Service Office in Tulsa.
Here is what you can expect over the next few days:
• Sunday - A 20 percent chance of showers before 8 am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Monday - Partly sunny, with a high near 57. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
• Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday - A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. South wind 10 to 20 mph.
• Wednesday Night - A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind around 20 mph.
• Thursday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. South wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
3-16
• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Jim Vaughn, World War II hero who has volunteered in this community for many years and was known as the ‘Tootsie Roll Man.’ He is celebrating his 92nd birthday today.
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• Looking Good
The Okmulgee Public Schools motto of ‘Bulldog Rising’ gets another boost with the addition of a giant new LED sign facing Wood Drive just south of McDonald’s.
A few snafus delayed the installation of the sign, however the billboard is up and running this week. It will be used to publicize events and activities for Okmulgee Public Schools. District leaders and web jockeys also were trained how to get the most use out of the sign.
With warm weather on the horizon, several other projects at Harmon Field will be nearing completion and we’ll keep you advised.
Spring break is this week for most county schools so be safe and have fun!!
St. Patrick’s Day is Monday, March 17th.
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• Warning
We’ve received several calls about scammers targetingpeople in the area.
Remember - “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably not true”; and “you shouldn’t have to pay money to win money.”
Also - never give out any personal information whether it be on the phone or in an email.
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• This Day in History
1802 - The U.S. Congress established the West Point Military Academy in New York.
1994 - Tonya Harding pled guilty in Portland, OR, to conspiracy to hinder prosecution for covering up the attack on her skating rival Nancy Kerrigan. She was fined $100,000. She was also banned from amateur figure skating.
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• Today’s Birthdays
Erik Estrada 1949 - Actor
Victor Garber 1949 - Actor
Ray Benson 1951 - Country singer
Flava Flav 1959 - Rapper
Rodney Peete 1966 - Football player
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• Scripture for the day
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to gooodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—2 Peter 1:5-8
3-9
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
• Hometown heroes
Okmulgee is a better place to live because of ... Helen Nygard, who volunteers her time at the United Methodist Church’s food pantry.
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• Daylight Savings Time Returns
Wake up, sleepy head! Did you remember to turn your clocks ahead an hour when you went to bed Saturday night?
Daylight Savings Times arrives today. You “spring forward” and lost an hour of sleep.
If you did remember, you probably needed a second cup of coffee to get you going.
If you didn’t remember to change the clocks, you are probably late for church this morning.
Don’t feel too bad. It’s very likely you are not alone!
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• What’s up with this?
Rumor has it that there is serious consideration to close the Okmulgee Elementary School as a cost-savings step. Let me stress, again, that this is a rumor in the community.
If the school board is truly discussing such an idea, I would strongly urge the superintendent and board members to bring the citizens into the loop long before any final decision is made.
I believe the worst approach to such an action would be for the community to find out the plan after it is too late to provide input to the powers that be.
One local citizen is leading a push for a town hall meeting on the issue. I think that would be a wonderful response by the school distict. Any final vote to close the school would be benefit from a wide range of voices and opinions.
There are great improvements going on in our school district. I believe the superintendent is doing an outstanding job. I also salute the dedicated board members who are working hard to deliver on the motto “Bulldog Rising.”
Let’s all work together to return Okmulgee to the glory of the past. To do so, communication is a key ingredient.
If there is no foundation for the rumor, school officials should step up and put the rumor to rest. If, however, the closing is being considered, let’s all study the issues and work together to reach the best solution for our children of today and tomorrow.
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• Today in history
1788 - Connecticut became the 5th state to join the United States.
1822 - Charles M. Graham received the first patent for artificial teeth.
1959 - Mattel introduced Barbie at the annual Toy Fair in New York.
1964 - Production began on the first Ford Mustang.
1965 - The first U.S. combat troops arrived in South Vietnam.
1975 - Work began on the Alaskan oil pipeline.
1986 - U.S. Navy divers found the crew compartment of the space shuttle Challenger along with the remains of the astronauts.
1990 - Dr. Antonia Novello was sworn in as the first female and Hispanic surgeon general.
1993 - Rodney King testified at the federal trial of four Los Angeles police officers accused of violating his civil rights. (California)
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• Today’s Birthdays
Mickey Spillane 1918 - Author
Mickey Gilley 1936 - Country singer
Bobby Fischer 1943 - Chess player
Charles Gibson 1943 - TV host ("Good Morning America")
Linda Fiorentino 1960 - Actress
Juliette Binoche 1964 - Actress
Emmanuel Lewis 1971 - Actor ("Webster")
Brittany Snow 1986 - Actress ("Hairspray," "American Dreams")
Bow Wow 1987 - Rapper
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Scripture of the Day
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
—Psalm 139:23-24
3-2
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
On Tuesday, an important issue is on the ballot for Okmulgee County citizens.
A proposal will be offered for a quarter-cent extension of a sales tax to support the county jail. No tax item should be blindly supported. However, this is one time when the public would be wise to cast a Yes vote on the item.
The jail faces overcrowding on a daily basis. State officials are demanding something be done. If not, there could be major penalties placed on the county - and the county is you and me, the local taxpayer.
This issue really needs approved. If we don’t approve the extension, we may see ourselves paying a lot more in the future.
Safety of the jail staff and inmates is also a major reason for approving the issue.
Please take the time to go and vote on Tuesday. For more information, check out the article on Page 1.
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• Today in History
1892 - William Painter patented the bottle cap.
1935 - Leonard Keeler conducted the first test of the polygraph machine, in Portage, WI.
1998 - U.S. President Clinton introduced the first balanced budget in 30 years.
2004 - It was reported that a white powder had been found in an office of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) later confirmed that the powder was the poison ricin.
• Today’s Birthdays
1962 - Jon Bon Jovi, rocker
1963 - Suzette Charles, NJ, replaced Vanessa Williams as Miss America (1983)
1973 - John Elmore, guard (Baltimore Ravens)
1981 - Bryce Dallas Howard, American actress
1982 - Ben Roethlisberger, American football player
1985 - Reggie Bush, American football player
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• Today’s Forecast
Sunday - Periods of sleet. Temperature falling to around 18 by 2pm. North wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night - A chance of snow and sleet before 9pm, then a chance of snow between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. North wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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• Scripture of the Day - God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. —2 Timothy 1:7
2-23
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Good things take a little longer to finish. Such is the case with the Okmulgee Times’ annual progress edition.
Due to the overwhelming response, the ‘Our Hometown’ progress edition will be delayed until Wednesday, February 26th.
Publisher Charlotte Klutts said the latest progess edition will feature lots of exciting news and information from our Okmulgee community businesses and organizations. There is also coverage of local and area schools and also the City of Okmulgee.
The 44-page issue will be presented in four sections - and will also include a section from our sister paper, the Henryetta Free-Lance.
This is a much-read for people who wish to know what progress has been made in recent months - and what progress is anticipated in the coming weeks and months.
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• On this day in history
1836 - In San Antonio, TX, the siege of the Alamo began.
1896 - The Tootsie Roll was introduced by Leo Hirshfield.
1904 - The U.S. acquired control of the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million.
1905 - The Rotary Club was founded in Chicago, IL, by Attorney Paul Harris and three others.
1945 - The 28th Regiment of the Fifth Marine Division of the U.S. Marines reached the top of Mount Surabachi. A photograph of these Marines raising the American flag was taken.
1954 - The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in Pittsburgh, PA.
1980 - Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini declared that Iran's new parliament would have to decide the fate of the hostages taken on Nov. 4, 1979, at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
1991 - During the Persian Gulf War, ground forces crossed the border of Saudi Arabia into the country of Iraq. Less than 4 days later the war ended.
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• Today’s birthdays
Peter Fonda 1940 - Director, actor ("Easy Rider"), Jane Fonda's brother, Henry Fonda's son, Bridget Fonda's dad
Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones 1951 - Football player
Dakota Fanning 1994 - Actress
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• Today’s Bible verse
John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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• Today’s forecast
Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 25 mph.
2-16-14
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
Hats off to all the candidates who stepped up and sought public office in last Tuesday’s election.
It takes courage to put your name on the ballot. It takes a brave person to accept the criticism that goes with the campaign. But, more than anything, it takes dedication to offer your precious time to sit on a school board or a city council.
The common thing each candidate shares is a desire to make a positive difference in your community.
Congratulations to each of the winners. I hope you’ll always remember what motivated you to seek this office.
To those who ran but did not win, I WILL NOT call you a loser. I will, instead, thank you for the effort you made in seeking public office.
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Did you know?
Did you know current University of Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was born in Okmulgee? He is the son of former Morris Lady Eagles’ coach Bill Self Sr and was born at Okmulgee Memorial Hospital on December 27, 1962. In 2008, Self coached Kansas to the NCAA national championship.
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• On this date in history:
1868 - The Jolly Corks organization, in New York City, changed it name to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE).
1883 - "Ladies Home Journal" began publication.
1914 - The first airplane flight between Los Angeles and San Francisco took place.
1937 - Wallace H. Carothers received a patent for nylon. Carothers was a research chemist for Du Pont.
1946 - The first commercially designed helicopter was tested in Connecticut.
1959 - Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba after the overthrow of President Fulgencio Batista.
1968 - In the U.S., the first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, AL.
1989 - Investigators in Lockerbie, Scotland, announced that a bomb hidden inside a radio-cassette player was the reason that Pan Am Flight 103 was brought down the previous December. All 259 people aboard and 11 on the ground were killed.
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• Famous folks born on this date:
Hugh Beaumont 1909
Patty Marie Andrews 1918 - Singer (The Andrews Sisters)
Sonny Bono 1935 - Singer (Sonny and Cher)
Margaux Hemingway 1955
Ice-T 1958 - Rapper
John McEnroe 1959 - Tennis player
Warmer weather on tap
• Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
• Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 15 mph becoming west after midnight.
2-9-14
By HERMAN BROWN
Okmulgee Times editor
On February 8, 1978, I sat down in front of a manual typewriter to write my first newspaper article for the Holdenville Daily News.
I was scared and excited all at the same time. For me, it felt like a first date with a dream girl.
It was hard to believe I was here. I glanced around the newsroom and smiled. I felt so honored to be here.
My life was changing fast. I had been in the United States Army just six months before - serving with the 8th Infantry Division in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany. But, today, I was launching my career in journalism. This was Day 1 as the reporter, sports editor and photographer of the Holdenville Daily News.
HDN general manager Jerry W. Quinn had offered me the opportunity of a lifetime. He took a chance on a rookie with no newspaper experience. The only samples I offered him were published editorials I had written for the Stars & Stripes military newspaper.
I fell in love with my job that Wednesday - 36 years ago. I have been richly blessed to work in a career that brings me so much joy.
The manual typewriter is long gone. It’s been replaced by a computer and the Internet. There have been a million other changes in this business. The one thing that has never changed is my love of this job.
I have been the editor here in Okmulgee for over 23 years. I glance around the newsroom and smile. Just like that morning so long ago, I still feel honored to be here.
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Did you know? - The Okmulgee Times newspaper was featured repeatedly a few years ago on the ‘World News Now’ overnight television news program. The co-hosts would often display a copy of the newspaper and read an interesting item from the Times.
Anchor Bill Greenwood called the Okmulgee Times his “favorite newspaper in America.” Besides the normal coverage, the editor here was invited to write an editorial for ‘Stop the Chop’ on the issue of the mascots that disrespect Native Americans. The editor was also asked to write a ‘goodbye note’ to Bill Greenwood on his final night with the show.
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On this date in history:
1943 - During World War II, the battle of Guadalcanal ended with an American victory over Japanese forces.
1950 - U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy charged that the State Department was riddled with Communists. This was the beginning of "McCarthyism."
1953 - The movie "Superman" premiered.
1964 - The Beatles made the first of three record-breaking appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show." 73 million people watched the show. It was their American TV debut.
1971 - The Apollo 14 spacecraft returned to Earth after mankind's third landing on the moon.
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Celebrity birthdays today: Ernest Tubb 1914, Gypsy Rose Lee 1914, Carole King 1942, Joe Pesci 1943 and Mia Farrow 1945.
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Okmulgee County forecast
• Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North wind around 10 mph.
• Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. North wind around 10 mph.
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Bible Verse
Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.