July 29, 2025

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News
July 3, 2019
Eye Doctors Warn:

July Fourth is nearly here and many Oklahomans are making plans to see fireworks displays. Have fun, say doctors with the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians (OAOP), but leave the

July Fourth is nearly here and many Oklahomans are making plans to see fireworks displays. Have fun, say doctors with the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians (OAOP), but leave the fireworks to the professionals.

"We want everyone to have a fun celebration," said OAOPPresident Dr. Selina McGee. "However, decades of experience show that fireworks are best left to professional firework handlers. Many of the injuries we see from fireworks are to the eyes, and all of them are preventable."

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least eight fireworks-related deaths were reported in 2017.An estimated 12,900 injuries due to fireworks were treated in hospital emergency rooms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say. Of those, most injuries were from sparklers, but firecrackers and bottle rockets also were to blame. More than a third (36%) of the injuries were to children 15 years of age and under.

To help prevent eye injuries during fireworks season, the OAOP recommends the following tips to help protect and preserve eyesight during the Fourth of July holiday:

• Discuss fireworks safety with children and teens prior to the Fourth of July holiday.

• Do not allow kids to handle fireworks, and never leave them unsupervised near fireworks.

• Wear protective eyewear when lighting and handling fireworks of any kind.

• Store fireworks, matches and lighters in a secure place where children won't find them.

• Refrain from purchasing sparklers. Heating up to 2,000 degrees or hotter, sparklers are the No. 1 cause of firework injuries requiring trips to the emergency room.

• Be aware of your surroundings and only light fireworks when family, friends and children are at a safe distance.

"If an eye injury occurs, immediately seek medical attention from your local doctor of optometry or the nearest emergency room," said Dr. McGee. "Refrain from rubbing your eyes or applying pressure. Don't attempt to remove any objects that may be stuck in the eye, and avoid taking pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin that may thin the blood."

New HPS Board Member Welcomed
A: Main, Lifestyle...
New HPS Board Member Welcomed
July 26, 2025
Willem Vandenborn is welcomed by Henryetta Public Schools Superintendent Jason Price after he was sworn in to fill the Ward 2 seat on the HPS board. The action came during a special meeting Thursday, ...
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Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
A: Main, Lifestyle...
Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
July 25, 2025
Patrons Bank is urging the community to be on high alert as phone scams targeting bank customers continue to rise across the country - and right here at home.Scammers are spoofing legitimate bank phon...
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Christmas in July is today
A: Main, Main...
Christmas in July is today
July 25, 2025
Downtown Henryetta is set to come alive with holiday spirit and summer sunshine today, as the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce presents its annual “Christmas in July” celebration. The event, scheduled fr...
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Back-to-School excitement builds
July 25, 2025
As summer winds down and the school year quickly approaches, Henryetta Public Schools and Dewar Public Schools are rolling out the red carpet for students and families with a series of exciting back-t...
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
July 25, 2025
The City of Henryetta has announced that the Main Street railroad crossing is currently closed to all traffic. Residents needing to cross the tracks are encouraged to use the Trudgeon Street crossing ...
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Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
A: Main
Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
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Editor Picks
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Historical Museum open Saturday
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Historical Museum continues to welcome guests through its doors this summer with its special every-other-weekend schedule - and this Saturday is no exception. The museum will be open Jul...
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News
OCEM Report
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This report is a summary of activities Okmulgee County Emergency Management participated in and does not reflect all activities performed by or participated in by Okmulgee County Emergency Management....
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Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
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Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
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Planning is in full swing for the much-anticipated 2025 Okmulgee County Fair, with the event officially set to take place Sept. 4-6 at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds.Members of the Fair Volunteer Com...
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Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
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Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
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The Henryetta Lions Club held a lively and productive meeting on Thursday, July 17, at The Shack 2.0, welcoming new members, celebrating local heritage and preparing for several key community events o...
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Preston Schools announces Child Nutrition Program
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Preston Public Schools announced they are participating in free lunch and/or breakfast program for the 2026 school year. All students enrolled in the district or the listed sites may participate in th...
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