Latest
Veteran works to create sense of community following shutdown through cookout
The cookout, held in the parking lot of the old Texas Roadhouse location, allowed anyone in the community to come and enjoy a free meal. While the original expectation was to serve around 500 meals to those in the community, they ended up serving 950.
Rural communities responses to wildlife infiltration: a reflection of small town resources and community effort
When it comes to wildlife rehabilitation, some communities are fortunate enough to have nearby rescues and rehabbers that are willing to step in and help. Other cities have to get more creative and use what (or who) is available in town.
The first ever Jordan’s Way Bowl raises over $100,000 for animal shelters
Lawton Ward 4 runoff candidate preview: George Gill & Tiffiney Dimery
Registered voters in Lawton's Ward 4 will take to the polls for a second time on November 18 to make their final decision on who will be representing their area.
Lawton to charge store owners for retrieval of stolen property after ordinance amendment
Some local stores are skeptical of the city's approach after hearing the council's decision to hit owners with fees for abandoned shopping carts in order to retrieve their property.
A new historic preservation project in Wichita Falls displays the benefits of a public/private partnership
The Country Club Neighborhood Association has partnered with the City of Wichita Falls to repair one of the area's fascinating historical landmarks so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Residents claim City of Lawton’s campground upgrades downgrade local environment
For residents living near Collier’s Landing, the city’s recent improvements seem to have caused a disruption in the very natural area they were trying to fix up.
What you need to know when taking to the polls: 17 constitutional amendments
This month’s election will have a few things on the ballot that have considerable weight. In addition to your municipal and county-wide elections, all registered voters will be deciding on 17 constitutional amendments.
Empty rooms, empty promises
Making ends meet at guard’s feet
Sikes Senter tenants left to keep business alive while city officials reshape the mall without them
Malls have slowly been becoming a thing of the past as shoppers look at more convenient means of consumerism. In Wichita Falls, this outlook has made city officials act in an attempt to be proactive instead of reactive.
Criminal Justice
Community hopes for more than a name change as ODOC gives insight on private prison takeover
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) held a tour of the Red Rock Correctional Center, formerly known as the Lawton Correctional Facility, allowing people to get a glimpse of how they’ve been managing the takeover of the state’s last privately operated prison
Dark Roast Update
Sponsorship upgrades for Dark Roast supporters
Starting in November, we will be making some improvements to our sponsorships.
Light Roast
Kris Rotonda’s Wichita County kennel sit-in fills seats for furry friends
Rotonda said he isn’t too bothered by the few days he spends in the kennel because he feels it’s nothing compared to the dogs who’ve been in the shelter for sometimes up to 100 days, like Rosie.
political
‘No Kings’ protests across Texoma pose questions and create community
While many speakers spoke about the value of finding events and places where like-minded people could join forces for support, others focused on how to make a direct impact on the local community to demonstrate voice.
City Government
Wichita Falls historic preservation efforts reflect on the past for sake of the future
In addition to the fiscal impact of historic preservation, Montgomery-Gagne shared that it also sets a city apart from other cities to put the stories of its past on display – it demonstrates what makes a place unique.
Criminal Justice
Oklahoma leaders look to revive a death penalty moratorium in a longstanding effort to halt executions
While the goal of the OK-CADP is to end the death penalty completely, according to their website, the report recognized the fact that a majority of Oklahomans actually support the availability of capital punishment.
environment
How an economy that caters to convenience impacts ways farmers in Southwest Oklahoma handle pests and weeds
With growing numbers of health concerns linked to chemicals used in modern markets, and the negative impacts mass-produced food have had on local economies, there’s never been a better time to be conscious of what to consume and shop local.
City Government
Request for Mayor’s emails proves to be full of redundant files
Almost half of the received files were city title cards or signatures, suggesting the original numbers were fluffed.
Light Roast
Oklahoma Youth for Change discusses avenues to information and platforms for voices among local students
A new group geared at informing college students and getting them more involved in local issues has been born in the Lawton Community. The first meeting will take place October 3 at Viridian Coffee on 2nd Street. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. and requires participants to sign up.
unhoused
Lawton government sparks controversy with strategies to address homelessness
Some in the community have shared concerns over this situation and the mayor’s approach to dealing with homelessness, including those who are on the ground conversing and assisting the unhoused.
City Government
City begins release of Mayor’s emails after 7 month runaround
Emails show a potential request to encourage KSWO to do more feature reporting over Westwin Elements, a council member denying a meeting with the Local 1882 Firefighter Union and many attempts to compare the City of Lawton to the City of Norman.
politics
Lawton newspaper to change to local owners with heavy political affiliation
While some people are happy the newspaper will be locally owned again, others have shared concerns over the crossover of political affiliations.