“It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them,” wrote Mark Twain. In heaven, Jesus had the deserved honor and glory of myriads of angelic hosts, yet he enter...

3rd Advent Sunday (B) (Is. 61: 1-2/1 Thess. 5: 16-24/Jn. 1; 6-8) In today’s liturgy we will hear John the Baptist say to all listeners: “There stands one among you whom you know not.” The One he speak...

Second Baptist Church Second Baptist Church has resumed services. It is our prayer at Second Baptist Church that anyone who does not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will come and discover h...

HENRYETTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Breakfast Wednesday, Dec. 9 – Pancakes, Apple Slices, Raisins, and Milk Thursday, Dec. 10 – Sausage Biscuit, Juice, Oranges and Milk Friday, Dec. 11 – Cereal, Orange, Apple an...

A valuable piece of equipment, a John Deere 6x4 diesel utility vehicle, has been stolen from Okmulgee County Emergency Management. Equipped with emergency lights, the vehicle plays a valuable role in ...

Shoney’s Restaurant will join America’s Guardians Motorcycle Club Henryetta Chapter 46-B for a Christmas Toy Drive on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Chapter members are always quick to volunt...

Henryetta Lions Club has decided to hold a Virtual Bell Ringing instead of their traditional ringing in front of a local department store this year due to COVID. All donations raised go to support the...

Nominations are now being accepted for 2020 Henryettan of the Year at the Free-Lance office. Winner of this special award will be announced at the beginning of the new year. Since 1949, Henryetta Free...

Filing period for Declarations of Candidacy for county school board seats will begin Monday, Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. Official filing period will end on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. All of the following board ...

Many holiday decorations have been added to the Joy in Life Ministries property in preparation for their first annual Christmas Village community festival set for Saturday, Dec. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p....

The need for local foster families continues to grow in Okmulgee County, according to the latest numbers. Heather Huff, Child Welfare Specialist for Region IV Foster Care and Adoption Recruitment, sai...

Lots of holiday activities are planned for the upcoming week in Okmulgee County. The Okmulgee Festival of Lights Parade will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10 in downtown Okmulgee from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thi...

Harlan Ford has teamed up with Jandebeur Motorsports Park, Tavern 56 in Okmulgee, McIntosh Tumbling in Henryetta and The Ranch Bar & Grill in Beggs for the 5th Annual Toy Drive for local foster childr...

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) Chapter 0730 will meet at the Shoney's Restaurant at 619 E. Main Street in Henryetta on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. Pamela Lyon w...

AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers for their free tax preparation assistance program for the upcoming tax season. Federal and state tax forms are completed for the low to moderate income population...

Scott Brians, program manager for Eastern Oklahoma Circuit Engineering District (CED) attended Monday’s meeting of the Okmulgee County Commissioners to present annual Bridge Reports for the county. Th...

Okmulgee County youth Danica Minyard harvested her first deer on Nov. 28, while on a family hunting outing at A&E Adventures in Okmulgee County. Minyard’s kill was a nice 10 point buck that field dres...

JACOB FACTOR | SPORTS EDITOR

Preston’s basketball teams are hitting an early slumpagainst tough teams. The Pirates have played four ranked teams and have come up short in all of them. Against Okarche, ranked fourth in Class A on ...

Beggs Lady Demons hit the court last night for their season opener. Playing fellow county team Wilson, the Lady Demons took home a 50-16 win against the Lady Tigers. Saniah Jordan led the Lady Demons ...