Water has been restored. If you have any issues please contact the Checotah Police Department. They can reach the Water department. Thank you for your patience.
There is a line break at Northwest 5th and Park this morning. If you live in this area you may experience low to no water pressure for the next couple of hours. Hope to have all water restored by 11 am. Thank you for your patience!
There will be new fire hydrants being installed at Lafayette and 1st Street and Broadway and Spaulding today. Please be patient when in those areas. Traffic may be slow moving around those streets today. Thank you.
We will be running a test of the new tornado sirens between 1030 and 11 today in Checotah! This will only be a test!
Water has been restored to the Northwest part of. Checotah. If you experience any issues with your water please contact City Hall. Thank you for your patience!
Checotah water department will be working on a new line tap in the area of NW 4th and NW Creek. If you live on the North West side of Checotah you may experience low to no water pressure for the next couple of hours. Hope to have everything restored by 10am. Thank you for your patience. If you have any issues please contact City Hall.
We will be testing some sirens and Lightening Detectors today throughout the day. Please let anyone know that lives around the parks that the sirens will only be for a test. Thanks.
Kendall Spears debit card has been found and turned in at Checotah City Hall. You can pickup by 5pm with ID. Thank you.
There is a Water leak on SW 2nd st. If you live around this area you may experience low to no water pressure over the next couple hours while it is fixed. Hope to have water back on by 1pm. Thank you for your patience.
Please Share!! The City of Checotah Police dept along with the Mcintosh Sheriff's dept and the Creek nation LightHorse will be doing active shooter training at the Creek Nation Casino in Checotah on Friday Morning! Please do not be alarmed by the number of Police vehicles and Emergency Response vehicles around the Casino. This is only a training exercise! Please help us spread the word for Friday! Thank you!
Fire Chief and Fire Dept will be flushing fire hydrants around town today which may cause a discoloration of your water for a short period of time today. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
October 14th till 18th Fall Trash off. Bring your trash to the City Barn for disposal!
Water has been restored. If you experience any issues please contact the City Hall. Thank you for your patience!
There is a water main break on the Northwest side of town in the area of 2nd and Creek. You will experience little to no water pressure while this line is fixed. Water is expected to be back on by 1130 am. If you experience any issues please contact City Hall. Thank you for your patience!
Bathrooms have been reopened at the splash pad. Thank you for your patience!
Bathrooms at the pavilion/ splash pad will be closed for repairs today! Sorry for the inconvenience. The baseball field bathrooms will be open.
Water is being restored. If you have any issues please contact City Hall! Thank you for your patience!
Water leak on the Northwest side of town. Water pressure may be low to none for the next hour. Hopefully everything will be back to normal by 10am. If you experience any issues please contact the City Hall. Thank you for your patience!
New Corn Hole bags at Rainbolt Family Corner!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Checotah Announces Promotion of Laurie Burkhalter to Finance Director
CHECOTAH, OK – [August 14, 2025] – The City of Checotah is pleased to announce the promotion of Mrs. Laurie Burkhalter to the position of Finance Director. Mrs. Burkhalter has served as Asst. Deputy City Clerk for the past year and has quickly demonstrated her commitment, expertise, and leadership within city operations.
In making the announcement, Mayor Daniel Tarkington praised Mrs. Burkhalter’s contributions, saying, “Though she’s only been with the city a short period of time, Laurie has stepped in and proven herself to be an invaluable asset to our city government. She has taken on many roles already, and has met or exceeded our every expectation. Her diverse professional experience and her connection to the community make her an ideal fit for this important position.”
Mrs. Burkhalter, a lifelong Checotah resident and graduate of Checotah High School’s Class of 1990, brings a wealth of professional and civic experience to her new role. She worked for 12 years at First Family Federal Credit Union in Checotah, including 10 years as Branch Manager, and is a graduate of Southwest CUNA (Credit Union National Association) Management School. She served 7.5 years on the Checotah Board of Education, including four years as president, and has been a trustee of the Checotah Industrial Development Authority since 2019. Mrs. Burkhalter has also been active in the Checotah Chamber of Commerce since 2014, serving three years as president and currently as secretary. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northeastern State University.
Her service to the City of Checotah began on May 3, 2024. Since beginning her employment with the city, she was given the title of the city’s Investment Officer last fall and, most recently, assumed the role of HR Manager earlier this year. She has also taken it upon herself to be trained in municipal court clerkship. She recently completed the Oklahoma Municipal League’s Community Leadership Development Class 12 and will graduate on September 9, 2025 at the OML conference.
Mrs. Burkhalter and her husband, Jerome, make their home in the Central High community southeast of Checotah. They have one daughter, Taylor Cone, who is a teacher in Checotah Public Schools.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity to continue serving my hometown, and the trust placed in me by the mayor and city council,” Mrs. Burkhalter said. “I love Checotah, and I pledge to take my fiduciary responsibilities extremely seriously. I’m proud to be a part of a wonderful team of committed public employees and officials.”
City of Checotah Announces Promotion of Laurie Burkhalter to Finance Director
CHECOTAH, OK – [August 14, 2025] – The City of Checotah is pleased to announce the promotion of Mrs. Laurie Burkhalter to the position of Finance Director. Mrs. Burkhalter has served as Asst. Deputy City Clerk for the past year and has quickly demonstrated her commitment, expertise, and leadership within city operations.
In making the announcement, Mayor Daniel Tarkington praised Mrs. Burkhalter’s contributions, saying, “Though she’s only been with the city a short period of time, Laurie has stepped in and proven herself to be an invaluable asset to our city government. She has taken on many roles already, and has met or exceeded our every expectation. Her diverse professional experience and her connection to the community make her an ideal fit for this important position.”
Mrs. Burkhalter, a lifelong Checotah resident and graduate of Checotah High School’s Class of 1990, brings a wealth of professional and civic experience to her new role. She worked for 12 years at First Family Federal Credit Union in Checotah, including 10 years as Branch Manager, and is a graduate of Southwest CUNA (Credit Union National Association) Management School. She served 7.5 years on the Checotah Board of Education, including four years as president, and has been a trustee of the Checotah Industrial Development Authority since 2019. Mrs. Burkhalter has also been active in the Checotah Chamber of Commerce since 2014, serving three years as president and currently as secretary. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northeastern State University.
Her service to the City of Checotah began on May 3, 2024. Since beginning her employment with the city, she was given the title of the city’s Investment Officer last fall and, most recently, assumed the role of HR Manager earlier this year. She has also taken it upon herself to be trained in municipal court clerkship. She recently completed the Oklahoma Municipal League’s Community Leadership Development Class 12 and will graduate on September 9, 2025 at the OML conference.
Mrs. Burkhalter and her husband, Jerome, make their home in the Central High community southeast of Checotah. They have one daughter, Taylor Cone, who is a teacher in Checotah Public Schools.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity to continue serving my hometown, and the trust placed in me by the mayor and city council,” Mrs. Burkhalter said. “I love Checotah, and I pledge to take my fiduciary responsibilities extremely seriously. I’m proud to be a part of a wonderful team of committed public employees and officials.”
