logo
Login Subscribe
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Google Play App Store
Main, news
February 19, 2025
Voters approve county lodging tax
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

A countywide lodging excise tax, the proceeds from which will go toward the Sequoyah County Fairgrounds, tourism marketing and roadside beautification, was approved Tuesday when almost 59% of voters threw their support behind the proposition.

“I think it’ll be a good thing for us. I don’t see how it can be bad,” District 3 Commissioner Jim Rogers said. “I’m excited about it. I think it will really make a difference.

“That’s the good thing about an election, everybody gets to vote and voice their opinion and majority wins. That’s the way it should be. I appreciate everybody that voted.”

Rogers expects collection of the tax to begin “pretty quickly.”

The commissioners will submit paperwork to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, then the OTC will reach out to all airbnbs and other lodging properties in the county to set up collection of the excise tax, Rogers explained. He said the commissioners will seek direction from Cherokee County, which has done particularly well with its lodging tax. Cherokee County’s lodging tax generated $135,000 in its initial year in 2022, an amount that swelled to $236,000 in 2023.

The commissioners have agreed that the allocation of the new tax receipts will be:

• 60% for the operation and maintenance of the county fairgrounds

• 30% for marketing and promotion of countywide tourism

• 10% for roadside beautification initiatives, trash and litter removal

All administration and enforcement of the tax will be the responsibility of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and will not be the responsibility of Sequoyah County.

“It’ll be huge. It benefits in so many more ways than just the maintenance and operation of the fairgrounds,” Rogers said. “We bring all these folks in to visit our county, and they’re going to spend money at our eateries, stores. That’s people coming from outside our county spending money in our towns. It benefits us in so many different ways.”

Rogers said statewide marketing by the state tourism department “doesn’t compare with our tourism, because that’s statewide tourism. They’re going to hit on the bigger venues and things of that sort. Ours is going to focus on Sequoyah County. Our sole goal is to get people to come and stay in our constituents and our neighbors VRBOs and airbnbs, because it doesn’t benefit the county if they’re not. So we want to promote their venues and get them to come and stay in theirs.

“I think, at the end of the day, it’s going to be good for everybody. We wouldn’t have gone through the efforts of trying to throw this thing together and do that if I thought it wasn’t going to be a good thing.”

Results from last Tuesday’s election are as follows: Propositions for the Braggs School District and the towns of Gore and Paradise Hill all passed easily.

Braggs School District Proposition 1 $650,000 bond to construct, equip, repair and remodel school buildings, as well as acquire furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Yes 100 (64.94%) No 54 (35.05%)

Braggs School District Proposition 2 $210,000 bond to purchase transportation equipment.

Yes 98 (63.64%) No 56 (36.36%) Town of Gore Proposition

Authorization to levy and assess a town lodging tax of 4%.

Yes 36 (63.16%) No 21 (36.84%)

Town of Paradise Hill Proposition

Authorization to levy and assess a town lodging tax of 4.5%.

Yes 15 (93.75%) No 1 (6.25%)

Moffett Public School for Office 2

Virginia Gail Massey 13 (65%) Sylvester Carolina 7 (35%) Sarah F. Jones 0 (0%)

Board approves new policies, staffing changes
Main, news...
Board approves new policies, staffing changes
By AMIE CATO-REMER Editor 
September 3, 2025
The Vian Board of Education met on August 11, in a productive session focused on preparations for the 2025-26 school year, approving several key policy updates, staffing decisions and infrastructure i...
this is a test
Main, news...
VA Medical Center to receive infrastructure improvements
September 3, 2025
The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructur...
this is a test
Brecheen hails ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’at town hall meeting
Main, news...
Brecheen hails ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’at town hall meeting
By LYNN ADAMS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
September 3, 2025
Social media is rampant with posts documenting blowback against Rep. Josh Brecheen that occurred at town hall meetings early this week in Bartlesville, Muskogee, Pryor and Tahlequah, contentious confr...
this is a test
Main, news...
Blackgum community sale set for Sept. 5 and 6
September 3, 2025
The Blackgum community sale will be held Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6 beginning at 8 a.m. in both buildings. Most clothing is priced at $1 each, with lots of furniture, home goods, kitchenwar...
this is a test
news
4-H Volunteer Leadership Boardmeeting Nov.3
September 3, 2025
This year, Sequoyah County Extension & 4-H launched the Sequoyah County 4-H Volunteer Leadership Board, made up of certified volunteers and verified volunteer club leaders. At their August 21 meeting,...
this is a test
news
Defending UKB Sovereignty: Why congress must reject CNO’s power grab
By CHIEF JEFF WACOCHE UKB OF CHEROKEE INDIANS 
September 3, 2025
As Chief of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB), I know what it means to fight to protect our land and defend our sovereignty. We have fought for jurisdiction over our own reservation,...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
Brushy Fire Department holding gun raffle
September 3, 2025
Tickets are on sale now for the Brushy Fire Department gun raffle. Cost is $10 each or six for $50. The winner will be drawn on November 22. The department wishes to thank Armory Outfitters for provid...
this is a test
news
Gore dump site closed for tree limb, debris disposal
September 3, 2025
The town of Gore is advising all town residents that the town’s dump site is now closed for tree limb and debris disposal. The designated time for public dumping has ended, and the town will begin bur...
this is a test
Stacey is new agent at Century 21 First Choice Realty
news
Stacey is new agent at Century 21 First Choice Realty
September 3, 2025
Meet Aubrey Stacey, a proud mama to one wild precious boy and wife to her best friend of 10 years, Kyle. The couple moved to Webbers Falls in 2023 and quickly fell in love with the area and the lifest...
this is a test
ODOT launches inaugural snowplow naming contest
news
ODOT launches inaugural snowplow naming contest
September 3, 2025
Oklahoma winters may be unpredictable, but one thing is certain: every snowstorm deserves a snowplow with a personality. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is inviting K‑12 students stat...
this is a test
Vail saves I-40 motorist from burning vehicle
news
Vail saves I-40 motorist from burning vehicle
By \JEFF BROWN SPECIAL TO THE NEWS 
September 3, 2025
In a recent conversation with Stigler Assistant Police Chief John Vail, it was evident that he was more interested in the well-being of his fellow man than any type of recognition. In speaking of an u...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

VIAN TENKILLER NEWS
Address: 603 W. Schley Vian, Oklahoma
Phone:+1 918-773-8000

news@bigbasinllc.com

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Vian Tenkiller News

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy