Concerns voiced in Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll

From staff reports OKLAHOMA CITY – Optimism about the state’s economy is slightly down from last year, according to poll results released by The State Chamber last week.

City rehoming some prairie dogs to 3 western Oklahoma counties

LAWTON – Lawton’s prairie dog population will be thinned out soon, to be rehomed in three western Oklahoma locations, Parks and Recreation Director Larry Parks informed the City Council.“Our intent is to relocate, not exterminate,” he said.

Lawton council agrees to interest rate reset on $40M loan

LAWTON – The City Council agreed to a future adjustment of the interest rate on a multimillion- dollar loan previously authorized for various public improvement projects, including the new aquatic center and the pedestrian bridge under construction over Interstate 44 at East Gore Boulevard.

Lawton authorizes digital asset mining in I-1 industrial zone

Bitcoin mining and cryptocurrency have officially arrived in Lawton.The City Council voted to amend an ordinance to include definitions of blockchain, digital asset, digital asset mining, home digital asset mining and nodes.

YSA extends deadline for closing on sports complex site

LAWTON – The Lawton Youth Sports Authority has a new deadline for closing on the sale of property for the city’s indoor youth sports complex.The authority voted 6-0 Sept. 12 to move the deadline from Sept. 30 to Oct. 11, the day after the authority’s next regularly scheduled meeting.

Aquatic center groundbreaking ceremony set for Sept. 17

From staff reports LAWTON – A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Aquatic Center in Elmer Thomas Park is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Sept. 17, near the splash pad.

Seven more miles of Lawton water lines to be replaced

The City Council awarded two water line replacement projects in northwest and southwest Lawton that will cost $14 million.

FISTA board updates rules on unexcused absences

LAWTON –The FISTA Development Trust Authority recently updated its rules concerning unexcused absences, requiring trustees to attend at least 70% of the authority’s regular meetings within a continuously rolling 12-month period.The authority voted unanimously Sept.

County greenlights amended award notice for RED 2 project

LAWTON – Comanche County officials have approved a $300,000 grant to help Rural Water District #2 in Cotton County make improvements to the district’s wastewater treatment plant.With little discussion, the Board of Comanche County Commissioners voted 3-0 Sept.

Lawton Fire Dept. buying 3 vehicles via lease-purchase

LAWTON – The Fire Department was authorized by the City Council to acquire three new emergency vehicles at a cost of more than $4.7 million via lease-purchase agreements.