May 16, 2025

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News
January 3, 2025
Delivering on Our Promise to Rural Oklahoma
By MIKE SANDERS OKLAHOMA BROADBAND OFFICE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

In the latest release of the Federal Communication Commission’s internet service data, Oklahoma ranked 4th in the country for reducing the number of homes and businesses without internet. Through our programs and the work from the private sector, Oklahomans are getting connected like never before.

In the latest release of the Federal Communication Commission’s internet service data, Oklahoma ranked 4th in the country for reducing the number of homes and businesses without internet. Through our programs and the work from the private sector, Oklahomans are getting connected like never before.

During the pandemic the Oklahoma Legislature acted quickly to establish the Rural Broadband Expansion Council. Its goal was to address which areas of the state needed internet and highlight potential challenges. But at the time, there was no funding available and no office to administer infrastructure grants.

Since then, the Oklahoma Broadband Office and an appointed governing board were established, and a full staff was assembled.

It’s been years in the making, but we are delivering on the promise to rural Oklahoma.

In 2024 alone, the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board awarded more than $500 million in federal grants to connect homes and businesses to high-speed internet. Those grants were accompanied by more than $125 million in matching funds from internet providers.

It started in January when the governing board awarded $374 million in ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Our Legislature had the foresight to make Oklahoma one of the few states to use ARPA funds for broadband infrastructure. The result was over 130 projects going to 55 counties.

Construction has already started for dozens of these projects.

We’re seeing rural communities such as, Slick and Taft, and counties like Choctaw, receive the highspeed internet they have long been without.

Then in September, the governing board awarded an additional $159 million to continue connecting Oklahomans. In the blink of an eye, we added 50 more projects to be built in communities that have never had high-speed internet.

The baton is now passed to the awarded companies who partnered with us to connect more than 70,000 homes and businesses.

Those companies have made a pledge to assist us in Oklahoma’s transformational upgrade. While our office monitors the projects and ensures taxpayers’ dollars are spent correctly, the companies are the ones in the field.

Awarding over half a billion dollars in infrastructure grants is a milestone the state should be proud to witness. The positive ripple effects will be felt for generations.

All this might sound like the office’s goals have been met, but we’re not there yet.

In 2025, we will award our largest federal program. The Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program is set to deliver an additional $750 million in infrastructure grants.

The goal is to make sure by the time our office sunsets, there will be no home, business, school or hospital without access to high-speed internet.

We intend to make that happen.

County honors its finest at annual banquet
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County honors its finest at annual banquet
May 16, 2025
The Elks Lodge #1822 in Okmulgee once again opened its doors with pride, gratitude and respect as they hosted the annual Law Enforcement and First Responders Banquet on May 10. The event, which has be...
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Supt. Price reflects on busy end of school year
May 16, 2025
As Henryetta Public Schools approaches the final days of the 2024-25 academic year, Superintendent Jason Price offered words of reflection and encouragement to students, staff and the community.In his...
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Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign reminds drivers to buckle up
May 16, 2025
Starting May 19, law enforcement across Oklahoma will be looking for seat belt violations.The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Oklahoma Highw...
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AEB to host fraud prevention training sessions
May 16, 2025
American Exchange Bank is organizing a community- focused scam and fraud prevention training on Thursday, May 22, offering local residents the opportunity to learn how to protect themselves and their ...
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Martha Jo Whitworth celebrated for lifetime of creativity
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Martha Jo Whitworth celebrated for lifetime of creativity
May 16, 2025
The heart of Henryetta’s Main Street shined a little brighter this past weekend as Bear Bottom Antiques unveiled a stunning tribute to one of the community’s own treasures, Martha Jo Whitworth. At 89 ...
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The Light on Lavender Street
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The Light on Lavender Street
May 16, 2025
Mary Ray Stephenson sat in the backyard of the house she and Wilbur bought in 1958, the same white clapboard home on lavender street in Schulter, Oklahoma where she had watched the world change from h...
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In a comprehensive city council meeting that addressed multiple critical municipal issues, local officials demonstrated their commitment to community development, infrastructure improvement and fiscal...
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Funeral Preplanning Tips
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Planning a funeral can be an overwhelming and emotional process. However, preplanning your own funeral or that of a loved one can help alleviate stress during a difficult time. Here are some helpful t...
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Beggs School: The Early Days of a Proud Tradition
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Gabrielle Spencer-Ginn Special to the TimesLast year, we took a look back at the cherished traditions of the Beggs alumni banquets. Today, let’s travel even further into the past - to the very roots o...
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Color Our World
May 16, 2025
The Okmulgee Public Library is ready to add color, creativity and fun to your summer with the launch of its 2024 Summer Reading Program, “Color Our World.” This vibrant program is packed with engaging...
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Monday: Chicken Tenders, Tater Tots, Mixed Fruit, Sliced Bread, Cookie Tuesday: Chili Mac, Tossed Salad, Buttered Corn, Jell-O Wednesday: Sesame Chicken, Oriental Veggies, Pineapple Chunks, Rice, Cake...
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