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news
August 26, 2025
Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center to receive infrastructure improvements

The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care.

The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology.

The extra money will be spent on a variety of improvement projects at various VA health care facilities across the nation, including the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee, where the following improvements will occur:

• Expand Surveillance System

• Stabilize Hillside and Restore Parking Areas

• Full Facility Standby Generator System

• Demolish Buildings 6,7,8,9,10

• Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Infrastructure Upgrades

• Tulsa Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed (CHIPIN) Day 2 Off Site Utility Prep “This is another step forward in our efforts to make VA work better for the Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors we are charged with serving,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said. “Improved facilities, equipment and infrastructure help improve care for Veterans, and these additional funds will enable VA to achieve that goal.”

The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion — a nearly $500 million increase from fiscal year 2024.

The improvements announced today are the latest in a growing list of VA accomplishments during the second Trump Administration, including:

• The backlog of Veterans waiting for VA benefits is down more than 37% since Jan. 20.

• Since Jan. 20, VA has offered Veterans nearly 1 million appointments outside of normal operating hours. These earlymorning, evening, and weekend appointments are giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.

• VA has opened 16 new health care clinics across the nation since Jan. 20.

• The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request would add billions to VA’s budget.

• VA has made it easier and faster for VAenrolled Veterans to access care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense.

• VA has implemented major reforms to make it easier for survivors to get benefits.

• VA is processing record numbers of disability claims, reaching 1 million claims processed for FY25 on Feb. 20 and reaching 2 million claims by June — both achievements were done in record time.

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A: Main, news
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The Rural Communities Initiative Foundation expressed “wado” (thank you) to the Cherokee Nation Gadugi Corps, led by Shawn Crittenden, for their swift response after a large pine tree toppled onto a C...
A: Main, news
MCCO to host Women’s Gathering on April 8
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Because of the overwhelming response from the community, the Muldrow Cherokee Community Organization (MCCO) is excited to host the first gathering of their new women’s group. “Over 100 women expressed...
Roland man arrested for alleged sex offender registry violations
A: Main, news
Roland man arrested for alleged sex offender registry violations
By AMIE CATO-REMER EDITOR 
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A Roland man was arrested earlier this month after authorities said he was found in possession of material that violated the terms of the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry Act. According to a probable ca...
A: Main, news
Candidate filing for county, state, opens April 1
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Statewide election activity officially begins at 8 a.m. April 1 when the candidate filing period opens, Sequoyah County Election Board Secretary Ruby Brunk says. Candidates for state offices must file...
Muldrow student wins regional Braille Challenge medal at OSB
A: Main, news
Muldrow student wins regional Braille Challenge medal at OSB
March 24, 2026
Macey Millar from Muldrow earned a silver medal in the Sophomore Transition category at the Oklahoma School for the Blind’s (OSB) regional Braille Challenge competition in Muskogee on March 4. Millar ...
Storm spotter training class scheduled
A: Main, news
Storm spotter training class scheduled
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Living in Oklahoma usually means either a fascination with or fear of tornadoes and thunderstorms, both of which come with a healthy respect for the awesome, if not unpredictable, power of Mother Natu...
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Area Agency on Aging offering services
March 24, 2026
If you are 60 years of age or older and need access to services such as meals (home delivered or congregate), homemaker services, nutrition counselling, legal help, caregiver services or transportatio...
Bills propose additional Oklahoma state symbols
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Bills propose additional Oklahoma state symbols
By BARBARA HOBEROCK OKLAHOMA VOICE 
March 24, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Four insects and one crop moved closer Monday to becoming state symbols. The Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee passed two measures seeking to add them to a long list of state s...
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Early voting begins April 2 for school board election
March 24, 2026
Early voting begins April 2 for voters in Sequoyah County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at their county election board. Sequoyah ...
Solo & Ensemble 2026
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Solo & Ensemble 2026
March 24, 2026
Roland Public Schools band students recently had a super successful weekend at Solo & Ensemble. Select students traveled to compete, and their hard work paid off with five Superior ratings and three E...
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Olsen bill protecting adoptable children passes house
March 24, 2026
Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, has passed legislation through the House clarifying that people convicted of pedophilia cannot adopt children. House Bill 2936 also prohibits people convicted of pedophilia f...
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