Severe weather possible for area Thursday Bid items approved during county session PATRICK FORD NEWS EDITOR Okmulgee County could see severe weather later this week, according to Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Tim Craighton. PATRICK FORD | NEWS EDITOR During his report at Monday’s meeting of the Ok- mulgee County Board of Commissioners, Craighton Congratulations OHS Class of 2021 issued the warning. “Thursday could be a rough day for us, storm-wise,” Jarrett Mitchell, Okmulgee High School Senior Class representative, is at the 2021 Commencement Saturday evening at historic Harmon Field. congratulated by Asst. Principal David Dunlap, after receiving his diploma See additional photos from the event on page A8. Craighton said. The National Weather Service is calling for several thunderstorms and heavy rain potential. Due to all the moisture the area has already received, the added pre- cipitation could lead to a flood threat. The agency is also predicting additional storms late Man injured in I-40 motorcycle crash SEE WEATHER, PAGE A3 PATRICK FORD Sportster Motorcycle. of the crash, and helmets were not NEWS EDITOR The report stated the cycles were in use by either driver, the OHP An Okemah man was injured in the right lane on I-40 when they reported. Monday evening when two mo- collided in the same lane of traffic. The cause of the collision is un- Muscogee Nation torcycles collided on Interstate 40. Both vehicles overturned and slid der investigation by Trooper Wil- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol 177 feet before stopping. liam Landsheft of the Okmulgee reported the crash about 9:31 p.m. Lindsay was treated by Okmul- County Detachment of Troop on the highway westbound, .6 gee County EMS and refused B. Assisting at the scene was the receives initial miles west of South 180 Road. transport for further medical as- Henryetta Fire Department, Ok- A 2009 Honda Rebel motorcycle sistance. mulgee County EMS, Henryetta was being driven by Kelly Lind- Wilson was transported by Air Police Department, and the Ok- say, 52, of Okemah, while John Evac Life Team to St. Johns Hos- mulgee County Sheriff’s Depart- Recovery Funds Wilson, 40, also of Okemah, was pital in Tulsa with head injuries. ment. driving a 1993 Harley Davidson The roadway was dry at the time The Muscogee Nation allows us greater flexibili- government has received ty and planning, and with initial payment of Fiscal this amount we can meet Recovery Funds of the immediate need as well American Rescue Plan as setting our Nation on a from the U.S. Treasury. solid foundation for sev- Okmulgee offering free burn permit The first distribution is eral generations of pros- for $421,354,068.50. This perity and progress.” MELISSA HEMINOVER Fire Station at 333 N Central Avenue. “Once the per- initial distribution was The administration and STAFF WRITER mit application is completed, the Fire Marshal will formulated through the the National Council The City of Okmulgee will be holding a free burn still have to approve it,” Fritsche said. “If he approves pro rata share of the to- have received initial Trea- permit event as part of the annual Keep Okmulgee it, then there will be no charge.” tal certified tribal enroll- sury guidelines on how Beautiful event. Those that receive a free burn permit will be al- ment. the funds can be utilized, “We were not able to have a Keep Okmulgee Beau- lowed to burn June 6 – 12. “The Muscogee Nation with final guidance ex- tiful event like we have had in past years,” Shawn Applications may be printed via the City of Ok- appreciates the Biden Ad- pected in July. Tribal of- Fritsche, Code Enforcement Officer/Safety Coordi- mulgee’s website okmulgeeonline.com or you can ministration and mem- ficials will meet this week nator, said. “We do still want to offer this free burn pick a permit application up at the Central Fire Sta- bers of Congress passing to begin discussions on a permit to citizens to help them rid their property of tion. Those with questions are asked to call the Ok- this bi-partisan relief ef- distribution plan. unwanted brush and debris.” mulgee Fire Department at (918) 758-1135 or (918) fort for tribal nations,” The Nation will be seek- According to Fritsche, burn permit applications 758-1134. No permit applications will be accepted Principal Chief David ing input from Muscogee will be accepted June 1 – 3 at the Okmulgee Central after 4:30 p.m. on June 3. Hill said. “This funding SEE MUSCOGEE NATION, PAGE A2 OHS football coaching staff introduced at board meeting Personnel items covered during session PATRICK FORD NEWS EDITOR The Okmulgee School board met in regular session on May 20. Personnel issues took up the majority of the meet- ing as the board went into executive session following Superintendent Renee Dove’s report. During that portion of the meeting, the superintendent welcomed OHS Football Coach Brent Scott as he intro- duced his staff for the upcoming school year. Returning to assist Coach Scott are Randy Jackson, David Wilson and Scott PATRICK FORD | NEWS EDITOR SEE BOARD, PAGE A3 The Okmulgee High School Football Coaching Staff for 2021-22 are Randy Jackson, Scott Bevan, Head Coach Brent Scott, Joe Brown, David Wilson and Scott Martin. Green Country Technology to hold signing day Thursday Green Country Technology school’s Facebook page. be able to visit campus, meet chining - 4 p.m. All students will meet in the Center is wrapping up its cur- This Thursday is Signing Day their instructors, and “sign” Health Careers & HVAC - Seminar Room. rent school year this week. for all new students who have their letter of acceptance. 4:15 p.m. Thursday is also the last day Last night, graduation was been accepted into GCTC full Here is the schedule for the Construction Trades & Medi- of school for GCTC full-time held for the full time program, time programs for the 2021- signings: cal Office - 4:30 p.m. students. which was livestreamed on the 2022 school year. Students will Cosmetology & CNC Ma- Welding - 4:45 p.m. A2 • Okmulgee Times OBITUARIES Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Geneva Guckian Geneva Laverne Potter Billie Jean (Park) Burger January 1, 1920 - May 18, 2021 July 18, 1939 - May 22, 2021 March 18, 1930 - May 20, 2021 On Tuesday, May 18, Geneva Laverne Billie Jean Burger went 2021, Geneva Erma Potter, a resident of to be with her lord and Guckian, loving moth- Okmulgee passed savior Jesus Christ on er, grandmother, and from this life on May 20, 2021, at the age great-grandmother, Saturday, May 22, of 91. passed away at the age 2021. She was born Billie was raised in of 101. Geneva was born July 18, 1939, to Whitesboro, by her on January 1, 1920, in the late Lester The- grandparents Jim and Ida Springfield, Mo., to Ho- odore White and Mings. Billie was saved mer and Erma Salmon. Altamae Imogene when she was young, and She was raised on 160- (Beck) White in her faith and her family acre farm in Boynton. Okmulgee. Gene- were the most important Geneva and her two sis- va enjoyed garden- things in her life. She al- ters Juanita and Melvina loved helping on the farm. ing and cooking. Her pride and joy was being a ways tried to live her life according to the teachings of That is where her love of gardening all started. In grammy. Jesus and wanted everyone to know him. She showed 1938, she received her high school diploma from Lib- Geneva was preceded in death by her husband hospitality and love to everyone. If you ever came to erty High School and was captain of the girls’ basket- Emanuel; a daughter Susan Garner; sisters Belin- her house whether you were family, friend, or a first- ball team. On September 24, 1942, she married the da Foust and Ester White; brother Calvin Leon time visitor she was going to make sure there was al- love of her life James Joseph Guckian Jr. right before White; a grandchild; and a great grandchild. ways a place at the table for you. She was a very hum- he left to serve in World War II. While he was away, Those left behind to remember all the memo- ble person and always put everyone else above herself. she worked for John Paul Getty as a riveter produc- ries of Geneva are her children Della Chastain, She always taught her daughters that there was always ing war material. She worked on P38 and B15 bomber David Garner, Sherry Potter Shandy, Tony Pot- someone more needy. She was always taking meals to aircraft. As soon as James returned from the war, they ter, and Angela Garner; sister Betty White; someone or visiting shut ins or taking people to their moved to Houston, Texas and started a family having brother-in-law Danny Foust; aunts Sue Meneley appointments until her health no longer allowed her one daughter, JoAnn and one son, James (Steve). She Smith, Freddie Moore; daughter-in-law Yvonne to do so. loved being a stay-at-home mother while her children Draper Potter; along with numerous nieces and Billie was a long-time member of the Second Bap- were young. Later, she went to work for Windwood nephews. tist Church in Okmulgee. She loved her church family Presbyterian Church. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June and touched many lives there. Geneva was always a nurturer at heart. She would 1, 2021, at the Okmulgee Cemetery Preceded in death by husbands, Bob Park and James always take care of the neighborhood kids.