The Antlers American
Winter Storm: Dangerously cold temps, snow expected across Oklahoma
Heading towards the weekend it is important to make sure you are prepared for the big winter storm with an arctic blast that will be making its’ way into Oklahoma on Friday, lasting throughout the weekend and into Monday. According to the National...
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Local Restaurant Featured in Oklahoma Today Magazine – The Food Issue
One of Antlers' best kept secrets, isn’t such a secret anymore. High Street Pizza was recently featured in Oklahoma Today Magazine’s Food Issue as a restaurant you don’t want to miss. bought High Street Pizza in 2023, he stated that he did it out of a...
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Pride of Antlers Marching Band takes Memphis by Storm
The Antlers High School band recently cam home sporting some major hardware after traveling to Memphis, TN., to perform in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade, and so much more. The ninety minute parade featured marching bands, local and national high...
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The Lunch Lady
After eight years of serving the community amazing meals, Sharon Shoalmire has decided that it is time to close The Lunch Lady kitchen. According to Shoalmire, 2025 was the busiest year The Lunch Lady has had since opening their doors in 2018 and...
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Exclusive Interview with Santa
The Antlers American was once again lucky enough grab one of the limited spots to get an exclusive interview with Santa Claus himself! As we are sure you have noticed, starting around Dec. 1, he, or his representatives, begin showing up in malls,...
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Rattan High School Student
A Rattan High School student was tragically killed in a house fire last Friday morning as he was upstairs and unable to escape. Garret Ashley’s family managed to get out safely, however the fire also destroyed the family’s home. In light of recent...
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Agencies Urge Winter Weather Preparedess in Oklahoma
As temperatures continue to drop this winter, now is the time to prepare for seasonal winter hazards. To help Oklahomans plan for the months ahead, state and federal agencies are joining together to promote Winter Weather Preparedness Week Dec....
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"The Greatest Story Ever Told" drive-thru pageant to be held December 6th and 7th
Once again, it is time to head east of Antlers to the corner of Hwy 3 East and Pate Drive to view "The Greatest Story Ever Told". This Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7 from 6-9 p.m. about 90 members, from several local churches, will be sharing...
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farm and ranch family of the year
The Wilson family of Rattan was recognized as Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s District 5 farm and ranch family of the year at the organization’s 84th annual meeting Saturday, Nov. 8, in Oklahoma City. Vernon and Shauna Wilson run a 215-head cow/calf operation...
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BEARCATS
ABOVE: Ben Copeland returning an interception. Photo by David Burgess. RIGHT: Kyzer Mullins reaching for a pass just inches from his David Burgess. Leading defense: Ben Copeland (#10) had 7 tackles, 1 PD and 1 interception; Kyzer Mullins (#9) had 1...
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People Helping People
keep the local community fed, God’s Blessings, an independent community member operated kitchen, will be serving free meals to residents of Pushmataha County. This volunteer based operation’s goal is to make sure no one goes hungry. God’s Blessings, ...
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Hundreds of New Laws to Take Effect in Oklahoma on November 1
The Oklahoma Legislature covered a large range of topics during the 2025 session, and starting November 1, over 280 of the bills introduced will become law. The final days of the 2025 session were filled with chaos as lawmakers moved aggressively on...
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Antlers Public Schools proposes $7.96 million bond
The Rattan Public School’s bond proposal for the renovation and remodeling of the cafeteria was passed on October 14, 2025, following a special election. With a total of only 278 votes, the bond passed with 53.24% (148 votes) in favor and 46.76% (130...
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Tribal Nations dispute claims in reminder from State on hunting and fishing licenses
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) sent out a news release reminding hunters and anglers that state fishing and wildlife laws apply to everyone in Oklahoma, regardless of race, heritage or background. The release went on to state...
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Book signing scheduled for hometown author at Antlers Public Library
Twilla Kay Lamm, a hometown author, has recently released a new American historical romance ‘His Sweet Obsession.’ She will be doing a book signing session on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Antlers Public Library (104 SE 2nd Street, Antlers, OK)...
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Welcome to the 2025 Deer Festival & Outdoor Show
The Deer Capital Tourism Association (DCTA), and their volunteers, have been hard at work to make sure visitors have a wonderful time at this year’s Deer Festival and Outdoor Show. With the help of their sponsors, the DCTA has an amazing lineup of...
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Tish Over Antlers
The morning storms had cleared out and it was a beautiful evening on Friday, September 19 when the Antlers Bearcats played host to the Tishomingo Indians. It was also Homecoming and after a week of decorated halls, class games and an amazing pep rally,...
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Dam Store's Redneck Regatta this weekend
The 2025 Pushmataha County Free Fair is taking place from September 17-20 at the Pushmataha County Fair Grounds in Antlers. The fair opened on Wednesday with only 4-H indoor entries being accepted from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. On Thursday, from 10 a.m. – 6...
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Bearcats Bash Wildcats
On Friday, September 5, the Antlers Bearcats traveled to Coalgate to take on the Wildcats in the second game of the season. The rainy weather did not dampen spirits of the Bearcat fans who filled the stands to cheer on their team. In Antlers’ second...
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Are You Ready for the Redneck Regatta?
A new and exciting event is going to be making its launch on McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Hosted by The Dam Store on McGee Creek Lake, the Dam Store’s First Annual Redneck Regatta promises to be a fun and FREE event for kids of all...
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Labor Day Festival This Weekend
The 2025 Choctaw Labor Day Festival will mark a milestone for one of the structure on the festival site, as well as unveiling three new sculptures. The 50th Anniversary of the Tvshkahomma Capitol Museum will be celebrated with traditional singing,...
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ODOT launches inaugural snowplow naming contest
Oklahoma winters may be unpredictable, but one thing is certain: every snowstorm deserves a snowplow with a personality. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is inviting K-12 students statewide to submit names for 24 of the agency’s winter-weather...
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Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus Found in Southeastern Oklahoma
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), has expanded its mosquito surveillance efforts across the reservation to monitor and...
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Usage for the 2025-2026 School Year
As local students head back to class, they do so knowing that cell phones have been silenced across Oklahoma classrooms this school year. Senate Bill 139 takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, requiring districts throughout Oklahoma to adopt a...
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Kiamichi River Journey: Storytelling Through
“Drowned Land”, a documentary film about the Kiamichi River, Sardis Lakes, (there are two) and the Choctaw Tribal Nation, told through the lens of film-maker, Colleen Thurston. Ms. Thurston, a proud Choctaw woman, takes us on her personal journey...
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Fireworks Fire Victim Dies After Tuskahoma Explosion
The family of Ely Smith, a bright 22-year-old from Vian, states that he pass from this life on July 8, 2025, in Tulsa after succumbing to his injuries following a fire that triggered a fireworks explosion in Tuskahoma on July 2 as they were preparing...
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Gresham wins National Award for Welding Sculpture
Melody Brook Gresham, of Antlers, has hit another amazing milestone in her life. At the age of 29, Gresham, a welding student at Kiamichi Tech - Atoka, has been named the National Skills USA Winner in Welding Sculptures. The National Competition took...
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Happy 4th of July
July fourth is a day of celebration across the United States as we commemorate America’s independence. Millions of people throughout the country celebrate the day with family and friends. Below are some of the events that will be happening in and...
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BREAKING THE STIGMA:
With June being deemed National Men’s Health Month, it is the perfect time to be aware and open about a subject that many guys would rather not talk about. Yet, that’s precisely why there is a silent epidemic in this country, and it’s probably...
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2025 Homecoming a Resounding Success
The Pushmataha County Chamber of Commerce expressed a heartfelt thank you to all of our local businesses, patrons, sponsors, and community members who contributed to the overwhelming success of the 2025 Homecoming Festivities in Antlers. Your...
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Rattan Students Bring Home Saddles,
The OYRA offers six All-around Cowboy/Cowgirl awards, based on age. Three of these saddles are Allaround awards! Rattan cowboy and cowgirl student athletes brought the heat and came home with the hardware! These cowboys and cowgirls they showed out....
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Granny Annie's Fried Pies Small Business Development
The Choctaw Nation Small Business Development congratulated and welcomed Chahtapreneur Kendra McDonnold with a ribbon cutting for her business Granny Annie's Fried Pies, located in Antlers. This home-based fried pie business is one of the sweetest...
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New Author in Town!
Twilla Kay Lamm, formerly known as Mother Goose at the Antlers Public Library, has written her first historical romance novel. You can read a short bio of His Sweet Obsession on her website www. twillakaylamm.com. His Sweet Obsession was published and...
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Memorial Walk Held
From toddlers riding in strollers to elders with canes, members of the Choctaw Nation and friends traveled the Trail of Tears Memorial Walk on Saturday. Chief Gary Batton welcomed walkers at the historic Choctaw Capitol Grounds at Tvshka Homma. He...
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Annual Free Youth Fishing Tournament Deemed A Success
On Saturday, May 10, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held its annual free youth fishing tournament. The tournament was held at McGee Creek Lake. Twenty-five young anglers competed in the event. The weather was near perfect and most were able to...
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Branam Honored for 50 Years
The Oklahoma Bar Association recently presented local attorney James Branam with a certificate recognizing his having been licensed to practice law for 50 years. Presenting the award is John Barbush, Durant attorney and member of the Association’s...
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54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo A Success
On April 26-27, the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club hosted the 54th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on Pine Creek Lake. Seventy-four boats with one hundred fifty anglers competed in the big bass tournament. The first 120 contestants received a free cap with the...
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Kiamichi River Journey
Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC) failed to deliver the “goods”, the required study plans that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) demanded in order for SEOPC to continue to try to acquire a permit to build their proposed...
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'Where the Past is Present'
Get a taste of turn of the century life at the Pushmataha County Historical Society Museum in Antlers. The building itself, the historic Frisco Depot, is a fascinating relic from the golden age of railroad travel. It is also a poignant reminder of the...
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Suspect surrenders after shooting at Antlers' grocery store
Just before noon last Thursday, one person was shot in an Antlers’ grocery store parking lot. According to the City of Antlers Chief of Police, Nicholas Merck, the suspect had allegedly stolen someone’s purse from EZ Mart, which lead to the...
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Trash-Off Dates
Are you tired of seeing trash around the city? Do you cringe when you see someone throw litter out of a car window? Do you have items you need to dispose of, but no way to get rid of it? If so, this is the event for you! The Antlers Trash-Off is the...
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Prepare! Don't let Tornadoes and Storms Take You by Surprise
With spring comes storm season for much of the country, and SE OK will continue to see storms, ranging from light showers to possible tornadoes to severe thunderstorms. It is time to make sure you are prepared for all of the possibilities. Find...
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HUGO RESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Donovan Tyler Ray, age 33, of Hugo, entered a guilty plea to one count of Failure to Register as Sex Offender. The Indictment alleged that Ray received a felony...
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Big Top on March 23rd
Thanks to the sponsorship of the Deer Capital Tourism Association, the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Antlers on Sunday, March 23rd! Two shows will be performed under a real Circus Big Top, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. Showtimes...
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Lady Rams Take Regional Consolation
The Rattan Rams have taken home the title of the 2025 Class A Regional Champions. The Lady Rams have taken the 2025 Class A Regional Consolation. The "60 Years at the Big House" Oklahoma Basketball State Championships for Classes 2A - A - B will take...
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Brittingham wins seat on
Cathy Brittingham claimed the open seat on the Board of Education for Antlers Public School. "Thank you to everyone who supported me during this school board election. Your votes, prayers, and love have meant the world to me. I truly appreciate each...
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OSBI investigates homicide in
On February 3, 2025, the Choctaw County Sheriff's Office requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate a homicide in Grant. Around 5:00 p.m., deputies responded to a residence near North Ervin Street and East Locust Avenue...
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Antlers Public School Board of Education Election to take place Feb. 11 - MEET THE CANDIDATES -
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, resident voters in the Antlers Public School district can take to the polls to vote for their candidate for the Antlers Public School Board Seat #4. Three candidates have placed their names on the ballot. They include: C...
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2025 tax filing season starts as IRS begins accepting tax returns; taxpayers have many options for help
The Internal Revenue Service opened the 2025 tax filing season today and is accepting and processing federal individual tax year 2024 returns. During today’s early morning opening, IRS systems have already received millions of tax returns from across...
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Antlers Resident Sentenced For Sexual Exploitation of a Child
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Clyde Park Crews III, age 34, of Antlers, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce...
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Readers' Choice Awards Now Underway
The Antlers American is excited to announce the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards! This year we are embarking on an entirely different format to make the awards more interactive and accessible to our community! No more paper ballots, no more making sure your...
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Remembering Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, died peacefully Sunday, December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. He was 100 years old, the longest-lived president in U.S....
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City of Antlers' Shop With A Cop Program Huge Success
This year, the City of Antlers organized its first "Shop with a Cop" event. Thanks to the donations of some amazing businesses and individuals, they were able to help 15 kids have an extra special holiday. The idea all started when Antlers Police...
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More than 119 million Americans will travel over the year-end holidays
AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the yearend holiday period - from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1. This year’s domestic travel projection narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by...
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Rattan FCCLA makes Christmas donation to Pushmataha County's Foster Care Program
Rattan High School FCCLA presented Pushmataha County Department of Human Services Foster Care Program with approximately $800 in gifts to be distributed to children in Pushmataha County’s foster care program. Gifts were purchased in honor of long time...
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Puzzle on the Schedule
With 2024 quickly coming to a close, it’s a perfect time to look back at the pop culture high points and, at times, low points of the year. There was no shortage of celebrations, awards, anniversaries and antics throughout the year — many which...
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Kiamichi River Journey
The First Amendment to the Constitution states the “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people...
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Holiday Season to kickoff with Parade and Annual Christmas in the Park event
FirstBank's Annual Christmas in the Park is set to take place next Thursday, December 5, 2024. The event will take place at FirstBank Park in Antlers. In addition to all of the beautiful lights that we have all come to love, there will also be cookies...
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Pushmataha County Court Report
JOEY MORRIS- POSSESSION OF FIREARM AFTER FORMER FELONY CONVICTION, POSSESSION OF FIREARM AFTER FORMER FELONY CONVICTION (CONVICTIONGUILTY PLEA) CAMERON BUSH- ASSAULT AND BATTERY UPON POLICE OFFICER (DEFERRED-GUILTY PLEA) TONY RICHARD2 COUNTS OF...
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Beacats Bash Bulldogs
It was the last game of the 2024 regular season and the one to decide who was going to the playoffs when Antlers hosted the Spiro Bulldogs on Thursday, November 7. Due to inclement weather concerns, the game originally scheduled for Friday was moved up...
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When Will the 2024 Presidental Election Results be Announced?
The presidential election will most likely comes down to what happens in a handful of swing states. If it’s as close as the polls make it out to be, don’t expect a quick call. Many Americans cast their vote early, the rest casting their ballots on...
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Local Business Owner Publishes
Review by Tracy Steffenson, Publisher Gjekë Marinaj’s "Teach Me How to Whisper: Horses and Other Poems," marks the English debut of this Albanian-born American poet who has received major recognition around the world, with numerous books in a variety...
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Event Scheduled
The Pushmataha County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality are hosting a Scrap Tire Collection Event. The event will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until 12-Noon at the “Y” of HWY 2 and HWY 271...
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Rattan Falls to Wright City in State Championship
The Class A State Baseball Tournament began last Thursday in the Oklahoma City metro. The Rattan Rams first round was against Sterling during Thursday's quarterfinals. The Rams took the win with a final score of Rattan 3 - Sterling 2. The semifinals...
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Antlers Fire Department Gets New Brush Truck
Nearly two years ago Fire Chief Delbert Gay started the process of getting a brand new brush truck for the Antlers Fire Department. After the long wait, they were able to place a new brush truck in our station. We would like to say thank you to our...
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Antlers Public School Hit With $1,000,000.00 Lawsuit
The parent of a student of Antlers Public School filed a lawsuit against the School District on Monday for allowing bullying and discrimination by students, as well as the school staff, against her child. Tiffany Chapman, the parent of Jane Doe, a...
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