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Vernon is designated Purple Heart Town
A: Main, news
March 5, 2025
Vernon is designated Purple Heart Town

Vernon, the historic community on the western edge of McIntosh County, has joined the ranks of Oklahoma’s Purple Heart communities.

The event was celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 22, beginning at 1 p.m. with a ceremony that was capped with a meal provided by the town.

“The Town of Vernon was recognized as a Purple Heart Town in honor of the sacrifices and service of its veterans and a special tribute to those who paid the ultimate price for Freedom,” noted Mayor George Dozier.

The Color Guard posted the colors and led the group in the pledge of allegiance and the opening prayer.

Don Nichols of the Military Order of the Purple Heart addressed the group.

Nichols has made it his mission to ensure American Veterans from the historic black towns get the recognition they deserve.

Mayor George Dozier Jr. gave the acceptance speech.

The dinner and ceremony were hosted by a joint collaboration of the Town of Vernon, The Vernon Chamber of Commerce Inc. and the Vernon Charitable Foundation Inc.

Clarence L. Baccus Jr., Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, thanked everyone for coming out to honor the Vernon Veterans and told everyone that this was the first of many joint collaborations between the three organizations. He then led the group in the meal prayer and everyone began enjoying a feast of BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken, BBQ brisket, baked beans, BBQ beans, smoked jalapeno cheddar brats, potato salad, tossed salad, hot rolls, homemade cherry pie, and Dallas’ Chef Jamie’s famous Almond Cake, which was a big hit with all the guests they couldn’t get enough of it. Everybody went back for seconds.

The dinner was planned so that guests could take plates home with them and most did just that.

Nichols said it was an amazing event.

On Dec. 7, historically black towns in Oklahoma were declared Purple Heart towns to honor the veterans who lived there. Each town’s leaders gathered at the Muskogee MLK community center for the ceremony.

Organizer Donald Nichols said he did this to thank the man who saved his life in combat.

Nichols said he served in the Marines in Vietnam for two years. During the event, Nichols said he wanted to thank a man he never got to thank.

“I was shot four times; I was shot in the chest, shot in the hip. I had a chest wound which was life-threatening,” said Nichols.

Nichols said it was a black man who saved him from those lifethreatening injuries. He searched for 60 years to find him but wasn’t successful.

Vernon was plotted October 4, 1910 and established in June 1911 as an all-black community, it became an incorporated town in 2005 and is one of thirteen remaining All Black towns of Oklahoma. It was named for Bishop William Tecumseh Vernon of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
A: Main, news
Whole Hawg Days on the horizon
July 16, 2025
Get ready for another fun-filled weekend as the 41st Annual Whole Hawg Arts & Crafts Festival prepares to get underway, Friday and Saturday, July 25-26. The festival will consist of Arts & Crafts, a r...
A: Main, news
Eufaula Chamber of Commerce Rodeo debuts
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The rodeo is woven into the fabric of Eufaula history. Long before the annual rodeo was held at the fairgrounds, there were rodeos in an area of the city now a part of the cove where there are softbal...
A: Main, news
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As more residents and property owners take on home improvement projects, the City of Eufaula is reminding the public of a key first step: check with the City before you begin. Whether you   are buildi...
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A: Main, news
Eufaula hires full-time fire chief
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 16, 2025
Eufaula didn’t have to look far for its first full-time fire chief. Checotah Fire Chief Greg Carmack has been offered the job, replacing volunteer Fire Chief Chad French. The decision to hire someone ...
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A: Main, news
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July 16, 2025
When Bill Duvall was called to meet His Maker in the Great Round Up in the sky this past Sunday, Checotah lost one of its best storytellers and legendary cowboys ever. Thankfully his legacy will live ...
A: Main, news
Hats off to those credited with keeping the roundup club and rodeo alive
By Current Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 
July 16, 2025
Serena Kleveter, director Jay Hunn, president Zach McQuay Roxanne Loyd Kathy Turner Jeanette Smith Torie Anderson Peter Lee 1940-50 Doc Thurman Doc Gawf Dub Hammett 1960-70 Glen Pittman Fred Wendel Ho...
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A: Main, news
Commissioners pass moratorium
July 16, 2025
TransAlta of Canada announced six months ago that it no longer planned to develop a wind turbine farm in McIntosh County. However, county commissioners wanted to make sure TransAlta or any other wind ...
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Auditions for The Dancing Princesses open to all
July 16, 2025
If you’ve ever thought acting on stage might be fun, here’s your chance to find out. The Eufaula Performing and Arts Club is opening auditions for their next play to any would-be actor ages 10 and up....
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McIntosh County GOP News
By LYNELLE MEDLEY CHAIRMAN 
July 16, 2025
Our potluck at the last meeting was so much fun and we had a fabulous turnout -- thank you to all of McIntosh County for supporting the Republican Party. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. It w...
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July 16, 2025
Ryan Troy Dick, 52-year-old Sallisaw resident, is being held in the McIntosh County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on charges related to indecent photographs and videos sent to a former girlfrie...
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Juvenile dies following accident near Longtown
July 16, 2025
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a juvenile, whose name and age are being withheld, was fatally injured in a single-vehicle accident that took place at about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. The deceased...
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