Local/Area News
Even though Henryetta received a $309,482 sales tax check from the state this month, it was still less than a year ago and marked the third time the town reported a deficit since January.
Last year the town received $346,192. That was $72,169 above the previous year and was believed to have been boosted by the Troy Aikman Highway to Henryetta concert sales.
The August return was the third time since January the sales tax check has been over $300,000. The largest was $311,107 in February.
For the same period, Henryetta picked up $30,017 in use tax money, a drop of $3,868 from a year ago.
Okmulgee County’s sales tax return for August amounted to $545,814, a gain of $33,720 from the 2022 return.
The sales tax returns are based on local tax receipts from June business.
Around the area, most communities reported increases in returns. The two exceptions were Okemah and Beggs. The largest gainer was Okmulgee with a $720,042 check this year compared to $685,006 in 2022.
| Town | 2023 | 2022 | Gain/Loss |
| Henryetta | $309,482.84 | $346,192.18 | -$36,709.34 |
| Dewar | $15,860.74 | $14,243.37 | $1,617.37 |
| Beggs | $42,938.41 | $49,517.28 | -$6,578.87 |
| Checotah | $480,037.05 | $476,155.88 | $3,881.17 |
| Eufaula | $286,006.41 | $281,087.36 | $4,919.05 |
| Morris | $31,724.39 | $28,115.77 | $3,608.62 |
| Okmulgee | $72,0042.55 | $685,006.11 | $35,036.44 |
| Okemah | $132,746.34 | $134,567.01 | -$1,820.67 |
| Weleetka | $19,980.67 | $16,735.71 | $3,244.96 |
Ben Cordle took the big scissors in hand to officially cut the ribbon on 75 Social Monday along with members of the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce.. The health food restaurant features protein shakes, energy teas, smoothies and more. It is located at the junction of US 75 and 266 north of Henryetta.
The weather cooperated Saturday and Nichols Park provided the perfect backdrop for the 7 Hills Music Fest. Several hundred people attended the event that included Drew Baldridge as the headline performer. The lineup also saw the crowd go wild over local musician Lance Gouge who is just making a name for himself in the industry. There were games and activities for thechildren as well as a number of vendors on hand to provide specialty gifts.
At the special 7:30 a.m. meeting, board members hired Kasey Williams as the assistant high school football and tennis coach, Kristina Brittenhouse as elementary special education teacher and Mike Hardgrave to the in-school suspension officer.
During that same meeting, the board approved the student and faculty handbooks for the coming school year.
Hitchita resident Ron Jenkins got the surprise of his life Monday when he went to LUV Ford.
Jenkins said he was told that he was the winner of a promotion the dealership held but had no idea that he would be picking up a check for $10,000.
LUV Ford dealer Brad Nash said the promotion was in the form of flyers mailed out to Henryetta area residents several weeks ago. That promotion would have amounted to $20,000 to one individual.
Unfortunately the $20,000 entry form that had been traced to a person living within a five block area from downtown Henryetta, was not redeemed.
“We decided to make sure there was a big winner so we held a drawing from the names of those who did show up,” said Nash. “That drawing wound up with Jenkins’ name being pulled from the stack.
“The $20,000 ticket is probably in the trash can of someone and Ron is saying thanks to the person who threw it away.”