News

New unemployment claims at lowest level in 33 years

OKLAHOMA CITY – First-time unemployment claims filed in Oklahoma during the week that ended Nov. 12 were the second-lowest number logged in 33 years. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that 899 initial claims for unemployment benefits were filed in the Sooner State that week.

Treat re-elected as Senate Leader

OKLAHOMA CITY – Republican State Senator Greg Treat will again lead the Oklahoma State Senate after he was re-elected as president pro tempore (Latin for president for the time being) last week. Treat was elected to the Senate in 2011 in a special election.
Ashes were just about all that remained after a fire Oct. 18 destroyed dozens of pallets of recalled Blumen hand sanitizer stored at Ninnekah.  LEDGER PHOTO/JJ FRANCAIS

Ashes were just about all that remained after a fire Oct. 18 destroyed dozens of pallets of recalled Blumen hand sanitizer stored at Ninnekah. LEDGER PHOTO/JJ FRANCAIS

Blumen hand sanitizer was stored at 3 Grady County sites where fires erupted

Blumen hand sanitizer was stored — and caught fire — at three sites in Grady County owned or leased by Brannan Bordwine. The first fire occurred Aug. 7 at the former Chickasha Manufacturing location on old U.S. Highway 81 and state Highway 19.
Hochatown residents celebrate victory in the battle to incorporate their community Nov. 8. (Photo by Rip Stell/Southwest Ledger)

Hochatown residents celebrate victory in the battle to incorporate their community Nov. 8. (Photo by Rip Stell/Southwest Ledger)

After three decades, Hochatown votes ‘yes’ to incorporate

HOCHATOWN — The battle for Hochatown is over. More than 30 years, three legal battles and one tornado later, residents of this tiny southeastern Oklahoma community voted overwhelmingly last Tuesday to incorporate and become an “official” town. The vote: 129 yes, 18 no.
Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt overcame millions of dollars in dark money, a well-organized opponent and united opposition by the five largest tribal nations in the state to win reelection Nov. 8. (Photo by Chris Martin/Southwest Ledger)

Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt overcame millions of dollars in dark money, a well-organized opponent and united opposition by the five largest tribal nations in the state to win reelection Nov. 8. (Photo by Chris Martin/Southwest Ledger)

Stitt reelected to second term

OKLAHOMA CITY — Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt overcame millions of dollars in dark money, a well-organized opponent and united opposition by the five largest tribal nations in the state to win reelection Nov. 8. Stitt captured more than 55% of the 1.1 million ballots cast in the election.
All eligible voters of Comanche County who want to vote early in the general election may receive and cast a ballot at the courthouse Nov. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

All eligible voters of Comanche County who want to vote early in the general election may receive and cast a ballot at the courthouse Nov. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Dates set for early voting

All eligible voters of Comanche County who want to vote early in the general election may receive and cast a ballot at the courthouse Nov. 2, 3, 4 and 5. A two-member, bipartisan absentee voting board will be on duty from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Nov. 2, 3 and 4.
Many bottles of Blumen hand sanitizer, such as this one, were found at the site of a fire Oct. 18 in Ninnekah where Bordwine Development had stored pallets of hand sanitizer, soap and lotion. (Ledger photo by JJ Francais)

Many bottles of Blumen hand sanitizer, such as this one, were found at the site of a fire Oct. 18 in Ninnekah where Bordwine Development had stored pallets of hand sanitizer, soap and lotion. (Ledger photo by JJ Francais)

Distributor of tainted hand sanitizer files for bankruptcy

OKLAHOMA CITY — The company that distributed some, if not all, of the hand sanitizer stored at three Bordwine Development sites in Grady County has ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy.