Photojournalism
Oklahoma
Here are all of the stories pertaining to the Southwest Oklahoma area.
elections
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.
Government Accountability
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.
environment
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.
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
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.
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.
Government Accountability
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.