News

The Refuge and Keep Olney Beautiful partnered to host the 3rd Annual Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 12. While cold weather hampered attendance a bit, there was fun to be had by those who attended. Rodney Nantz, the Executive Director of the Refuge donned the glorious turkey costume and waddled around encouraging all trot attendees. There were trot runners from Newcastle, Breckenridge, Wichita Falls and Olney. Kyle Turner, president of Keep Olney Beautiful, welcomed all to the Trot and to the City of Olney. Rodney followed Kyle with a brief devotion on thankfulness and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ended in prayer. Chief Birbeck then welcomed the runners and stressed the importance of safety while trotting. The warmup for the trot was the infamous Chicken Dance led by the Turkey, which brought smiles and laughter to the group. We were a little bummed that was 28 degrees, but it went well, and we hope to be back again next year for the 4th annual Turkey Trot. We want to thank 3T Meats (who also made the shirts for the event), Hometown Coffee and Tea, Cub Nutrition & Energy, Graham Freeze Dried Goods, Cyuss’ Confections, B Cocoa Artisan Chocolates, Crashworks STEAM Studio and Makerspace, River Bend Nature Center, The Duck Coffee Company, Erin Mahler Designs, and Everyday Farmgirl, LLC for raffle items, swag bag items and for supporting us. We also want to thank the City of Olney and the Olney Police Department for their assistance in keeping the trotters safe. Until next year, keep on “Eating Pies and Burning Thighs!”

A woman suspected of running a drug house in Olney was arrested for a third time in a month for violating her probation and will be held without bail as she waits for her case to be adjudicated, law enforcement officials said.

The Veteran’s Day Luncheon and Program hosted at the Olney Senior Cub Center on Friday, Oct. 11 was a true crowd pleaser. Those who arrived early enjoyed socializing before Pastor Chad Edgington played a few patriotic sing-alongs followed by his heartfelt appreciation speech and prayer for those who serve our country. American Legion Post 414 Commander Chris Garcia addressed the audience as they sipped spoonfuls of warm vegetable beef stew. Speaking on his involvement with the American Legion, Mr. Garcia broke the news that it isn’t just a place “to smoke cigarettes and drink beer” but a place that is involved in the community from children’s affairs and up. Adam LeVine, Veterans Service Officer of Young County, spoke briefly encouraging veterans to reach out to him and take advantage of services offered to veterans. Angela Lockard, Cub Center director, thanked the veterans for allowing the Center to serve them as a token of appreciation for their sacrifice and service. Special thanks to Betty Omholt and Deb Sandlin for hanging flyers, funding and planning the event; Chris Garcia for his time and input; Adam LeVine for helping set up; Larry Nelson who donated the POW/MIA table used to honor those still missing in action and for the two flags with the poles; Phyllis Whitsitt for the two flags hanging on the walls; and Donna Sullivan for lending her family heirloom book of World War II Veterans of Young County so those who attended could look through it.