News

Mark Jennings

McCurtain Co. Commissioner Jennings resigns, but other officials remain in office

Monday, April 24, 2023

IDABEL – The county commissioner at the center of a controversial audio recording resigned from his office Wednesday. McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings resigned his post after meeting with fellow commissioner John Wayne Williams.

News reporter sues McCurtain Co. commissioners, sheriff and deputy

Mike W. Ray Staff Writer

Monday, April 24, 2023

MUSKOGEE — The son of the publisher of an Idabel newspaper has filed a lawsuit accusing the McCurtain County Board of Commissioners, Sheriff Kevin Clardy and Captain Alicia Manning of slander, supervisory liability, and retaliation over a series of stories published in The McCurtain Gazette that...

Idabel Mayor Craig Young speaks before the McCurtain County Commissioners meeting April 17. CHRISTOPHER BRYAN | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

McCurtain County officials double down on audio recording; claim fraud, privacy violations

M. Scott Carter - Capitol Bureau Chief

Monday, April 24, 2023

(Editor’s Note: The Associated Press contributed to this story.) IDABEL — Despite a public protest, the launch of two federal investigations, national and international attention and a call from Gov.

Drought continues to stress small grains

News Staff

Monday, April 24, 2023

Small grains continue to be stressed due to little rainfall and warm temperatures, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall totals in Oklahoma averaged 0.04 of an inch for the week of April 10-16. The April 11 U.S.

Lawton SART team seeking volunteers

News Staff

Monday, April 24, 2023

LAWTON — Lawton is looking for people interested in serving on the city’s Sexual Assault Response Team, a long-term project to help assault victims.

Ratliff to become FISTA’s new executive director

Eric Swanson

Monday, April 24, 2023

LAWTON – The FISTA Development Trust Authority has tapped Dr. Krista Ratliff to serve as executive director of the FISTA Innovation Park, a hub for defense contractors in Central Plaza.

American Legion project off County’s ARPA list

Eric Swanson

Monday, April 24, 2023

LAWTON — Comanche County will not use pandemic relief dollars to replace the old American Legion building near the Medicine Park exit on Interstate 44.

FILE

State commission contends limits needed for trains

Mike W. Ray Staff Writer

Monday, April 24, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – His previous attempt to prevent freight trains from blocking railroad crossings in this state for prolonged periods of time was declared unenforceable by federal courts. But that didn’t deter Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall from trying again this year.

Chickasha receives late audit of Fiscal Year ’21 city ledgers

Mike W. Ray Staff Writer

Monday, April 24, 2023

CHICKASHA — An audit of the city’s books for Fiscal Year 2021 finally was delivered recently, two years late, but City Hall received good marks overall. Three areas of concern were noted by auditors.

Protesters gather April 17 outside the McCurtain County Commissioners building in Idabel calling for the resignation of several county officials after a recording with officials’ racist comments surfaced. CHRISTOPHER BRYAN | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

McCurtain County saga continues

M. Scott Carter - Capitol Bureau Chief

Monday, April 24, 2023

(Editor’s Note: This story contains harsh, offensive language.

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