Central Tech recently announced it has once again earned the Gold Star School Award at the Oklahoma Summit, marking an incredible 36th consecutive year of recognition. The achievement reflects the dedication of students, staff, and community partners to excellence and student success.

Central Tech recently announced it has once again earned the Gold Star School Award at the Oklahoma Summit, marking an incredible 36th consecutive year of recognition. The achievement reflects the dedication of students, staff, and community partners to excellence and student success.

Central Tech

News Staff
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
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Mannford Food for Kids Backpack Program’s regular volunteers fall into line immediately as they make their way around a table grabbing each item to fill bag after bag of supplementary food for students. Photo by DeAnna Maddox

Mannford Food for Kids Backpack Program’s regular volunteers fall into line immediately as they make their way around a table grabbing each item to fill bag after bag of supplementary food for students. Photo by DeAnna Maddox

Food for Kids continues to grow

Deanna Maddox
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
MANNFORD — For over 15-years, every other week in Mannford, volunteers quietly gather to fill up...
Mannford Lady Pirate Bella Gilbert is welcomed home by the team after hitting a home run out of left field. Photo by John Burns.

Mannford Lady Pirate Bella Gilbert is welcomed home by the team after hitting a home run out of left field. Photo by John Burns.

Out of left field

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Keystone Gusher e-Edition

News 

Oil Patch Jamboree preparations underway

Deanna Maddox
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
DRUMRIGHT — The Drumright Chamber of Commerce is preparing for this year’s Oil Patch Jamboree set for Oct. 3. Chamber leadership is now seeking community participation and support.“We need your help to make this a weekend to remember,” said President Tim Howard in a recent event update.
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Sports 

Pawnee Lady Black Bears are 2-7

Pawnee Lady Black Bears are 2-7

Pawnee Lady Black Bears are 2-7

J. D. Meisner
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
PAWNEE— Pawnee’s season has not exactly been a leisurely stroll through the park.The Lady Bears opened with three straight wins, then spent the middle of August discovering just how many different ways a softball game can turn irritating.One-run losses. Two-run losses. A 12-2 thumping from Muskogee.

Lady Sandites 10-2

J. D. Meisner
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
SAND SPRINGS — The Charles Page Lady Sandites are 10-2.That is not a typo. That is not a pretty good start. That is a team currently treating the early part of the softball season like somebody forgot to tell them they were supposed to struggle a little.

Lady Pirates shutout Cleveland 14-0

J.d. Meisner
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
CLEVELAND — Some softball games take an inning or two to sort themselves out.This one took one pitch. Brooke Kyser — first to the plate for Mannford — saw the first pitch of the afternoon and slapped it to short for a single. No feeling-out process. No ceremonial letting the first pitch go by.
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Obituaries 

Dustin Jacob Laffoon

Dustin Jacob Laffoon

Dustin Jacob Laffoon

News Staff
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Funeral services for Pawnee, Oklahoma resident, Dustin La oon, will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 30th at the Ol- ive First Baptist Church withRev, George "Marty" Brock, III o ciating. Interment will follow in the First Mission, Free Will Baptist Camp Ground Cemetery between Olive & Mannford.
Eddie Dale Beard

Eddie Dale Beard

Eddie Dale Beard

News Staff
Monday, July 27, 2026
Eddie Dale Beard passed away peacefully at Wellington Parke Retire- ment Home in Del City, Oklahoma, on July 25, 2026, at the age of 87.

Carla Jean Brittenham

News Staff
Monday, July 27, 2026
Funeral services for Cushing resident, Carla Brittenham, will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 24th in the Memorial Chapel of Michael's Funeral Home of Drumright. Rev. Sonny Johnston of Crossway Church in Cushing will o ciate. Interment will follow in the Drumright Oak Hill Cemetery.
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