June 17, 2025

logo
google_play
app_store
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
    • Special Sections
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
      • Special Sections
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Grand
A: Main, Main, News
May 28, 2024

Grand opening held for new Marble City Community Center

By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 

The Marble City Community Center celebrated its grand opening on May 23, marking a momentous occasion for the community and the Cherokee Nation.

The Marble City Community Center celebrated its grand opening on May 23, marking a momentous occasion for the community and the Cherokee Nation.

Over 400 attendees, including local leaders and community members, gathered for the event which featured building tours, live music and a luncheon.

The new center represents a $10 million investment from the Cherokee Nation and spans 22,800 square feet. It offers a variety of amenities such as a clothing resource center, food pantry, wellness space, meeting areas, and teaching area.

Other features include new playground equipment, a basketball court and a covered gathering space. This facility will serve over 11,000 Cherokee citizens living within 15 miles of Marble City and will host a Cherokee community organization.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner attended the event and expressed their pride in the new facility, emphasizing the importance of investing in rural communities.

“This new community center will be easily accessible to more than 11,000 Cherokee citizens. Seeing this investment come to fruition is inspiring and I’m thrilled to see the community of Marble City get to enjoy this new building,” Chief Hoskin said.

Deputy Chief Warner highlighted the building’s role in fostering fellowship, education, health and wellness.

“This community building will be such a blessing for not only the Cherokee community in Marble City, but Cherokees in surrounding areas as well,” Deputy Chief Warner said.

The center is located where the town’s longstanding school gymnasium previously sat. In January 2023, before the demolition of the school’s gym, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner met with leaders from the town and Cherokee community organization to set aside materials from the former gym so they could be used in the design and construction of the new center.

The construction also led to significant improvements in local water infrastructure.

Cherokee Nation District 5 Councilor E.O. “Junior” Smith noted the increase in community pride resulting from the project, and District 6 Councilor Daryl Legg praised the facility as vital to preserving Cherokee language and culture.

“There are some great people living here and by building this community center, I think it’s going to be awesome seeing the things that will come off this. I’ve seen more pride in people here recently because of this project and I think that will continue,” Smith said.

“I’m glad we can contribute to their work in this community,” Legg said. “If our true vision is saving the Cherokee language and culture, this town here is the heartbeat of what it is to be Cherokee.’

During the ceremony, Chief Hoskin signed a memorandum of understanding with Marble City Food Pantry and Youth Services, allowing them to utilize parts of the facility for their operations. The center will be staffed by the tribe’s Public Health Department, including Kassandra Rosas, coordinator of public health programs, with details on hours and activities to be announced.

Marble City Mayor Tamara Hibbard, a lifelong resident, expressed her excitement about the new center, which she believes will enhance community engagement and preserve local heritage.

“The grand opening marks the beginning of a whole new future for the town. We’ll have more activities and engagement with the community, so the town is really excited,” Hibbard said. “Growing up in a small town and seeing something this massive that Cherokee Nation would be so much resource into our little community is pretty amazing – that they would consider our small community for something as amazing as this.”

Hibbard also highlighted Marble City’s unique position as the Gateway to the World, located at the confluence of Adair, Sequoyah and Cherokee counties.

“I hope to pass on our memories of the past to our kids for the memories of the future,” she said.

She added that the local historical society provided the interior of the new facility with a showcase of local history.

According to a press release issued by the Cherokee Nation, the center is one of more than 60 projects funded by the Cherokee Nation, part of a historic $1.2 billion capital investment.

this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
City adopts $91M budget for FY26
A: Main, Main, News
City adopts $91M budget for FY26
Ollie’s Bargain Center coming to Sallisaw
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 12, 2025
The City of Sallisaw will be working with a budget of almost $91 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2026, after city commissioners at their monthly meeting Monday adopted a budget for the ...
this is a test
Roland Police apprehend armed robbery suspect
A: Main, Main, News
Roland Police apprehend armed robbery suspect
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
June 12, 2025
A man wanted in connection with an armed robbery and domestic battery in Fort Smith, Ark. is now in custody after being apprehended last week across the state line in Oklahoma. Kenneth M. Byrd, 28, of...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Sallisaw man dies weeks after collision
A: Main
Sallisaw man dies weeks after collision
By Amie Cato-Remer Editor 
June 12, 2025
A Sallisaw man has reportedly died nearly four weeks after a serious motorcycle crash on Highway 82 near South Indian Road in Keys. The collision, which occurred on the evening of May 2, has now been ...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Here’s your sign
News
Here’s your sign
June 12, 2025
A high-flying crew, hoisted by a crane, on Wednesday completed installation of signage drawing attention to 7Brew Drive Thru Coffee, Taco Bell and Whataburger, located on South Kerr Boulevard in Salli...
this is a test
Today’s the day when  superstition is highest
A: Main, Main, News
Today’s the day when superstition is highest
It's Friday the 13th
By Lynn Adams Staff Writer 
June 12, 2025
Are you superstitious? No? Are you sure? Do you knock on wood or never open an umbrella indoors or never walk under a ladder or avoid breaking a mirror or avoid stepping on a crack in the sidewalk or ...
this is a test
Savannah Cunningham
A: Main, Just Folks, Main, ...
JUST FOLKS
Savannah Cunningham
By JACIE EUBANKS TIMES INTERN 
June 12, 2025
Savannah Cunningham, at only 18-years-old, has already attained the crowning achievement of becoming the second runner-up for the Strawberry Queen Pageant during the 78th annual Strawberry Festival in...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}


ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
google_play
app_store

Editor Picks
Boys & Girls Club requests lunch donations for end-of-summer program
News
Boys & Girls Club requests lunch donations for end-of-summer program
By JACIE EUBANKS TIMES INTERN 
June 12, 2025
The Boys & Girls Club of Sequoyah County has just kicked off their 2025 Summer Program, and they’re excited to begin the coming weeks of fun, learning, and growth ahead for the amazing youth that the ...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Just barely
Columns & Opinions
Just barely
By Amie EDITOR 
June 12, 2025
When I was growing up, my dad had a favorite saying he used when it came to hard work that wasn’t much fun. After we completed our task, he would say something like, “Boy, that was a lot of fun, but j...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
OMMA implements new emergency rules, effective immediately
News
OMMA implements new emergency rules, effective immediately
June 12, 2025
OMMA (Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Association) has promulgated emergency rules to implement House Bill 2807 from the 2025 legislative session. Permanent rules will go into place in 2026. Pre-packaging ...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Meeker coach hired to lead Vian boys basketball
B: Sports
VIAN BASKETBALL
Meeker coach hired to lead Vian boys basketball
By DAVID SEELEY SPORTS EDITOR 
June 12, 2025
Sometimes things just seem to fall into place for someone, and that was the case for Randy Ragland. After being the Meeker Bulldogs basketball coach for the last five years, going 9-14 last season and...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Fresh ideas
Columns & Opinions
SALLISAW TOPS
Fresh ideas
By Billie Anthony 
June 12, 2025
Monday, we had 10 TOPS and one KOPS weigh in plus one of our former members, Machel, came for a visit. We all were happy to see Machel and wish her luck as she lives in Omaha now. We had a chapter wei...
this is a test{"epopulate_editorials":"Epopulate"}{"sequoyah-county-times":"Sequoyah County Times"}
Facebook

SEQUOYAH COUNTY TIMES
111 N. Oak
Sallisaw OK
74955

918.775.4433

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Sequoyah County Times

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy