Candidates for Senate District 4 answer questions

OKLAHOMA CITY – The race for Oklahoma’s Senate District 4 has drawn four Republican candidates who seek to replace longtime incumbent Sen. Mark Allen (R-Spiro) who is vacating the seat due to term limits. Allen was first elected in 2010 and won re-election in 2014 and 2018.

IRS warns against 'offer mills' claiming to settle tax debts

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service cautions taxpayers with pending tax bills to contact the IRS directly and not go to unscrupulous tax companies that use local advertising and falsely claim they can resolve unpaid taxes for pennies on the dollar.

IRS boosts mileage rates for rest of '22

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final six months of 2022. Taxpayers may use the optional standard mileage rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and certain other purposes.

PSO to install brighter streetlights in Lawton

LAWTON – Public Service Co. of Oklahoma will begin converting Lawton streetlights to new technology that will brighten roadways, street corners and public spaces for homeowners, drivers and law enforcement.

Nursing home to close, citing staffing shortage

SAPULPA – Ranch Terrace Nursing Home in Sapulpa announced it will close Aug. 15 due to an inability to maintain legally required staffing levels. By the closing date, all residents will be transferred to other facilities or living arrangements.

FISTA board renews director’s contract

LAWTON – The FISTA Development Trust Authority renewed FISTA Director James Taylor’s contract for another year Tuesday.   The authority approved Taylor’s contract for fiscal year 2022-23 under the same terms and conditions as his contract for the current fiscal year, which will end June 30.

SW OK Trails Fest set for Friday, Saturday

LAWTON – The Lawton Public Library is teaming up with Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma and several community organizations for the 2022 SWOK Trails Fest, library officials recently announced.

First list of ARPA projects clears legislative committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Six American Rescue Plan Act projects, totaling more than $89 million, were among the first to be approved by a joint legislative committee last week and will be considered by the full Legislature when it reconvenes in special session later this month.

Rare earth metal/magnet manufacturing plant to be in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – USA Rare Earth LLC recently revealed its procurement and development of the first fully integrated U.S.-based rare earth metal and sintered neo-magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater.

Patterson Center to host Juneteenth celebration

LAWTON – Later this month, Lawton will observe the 157th anniversary of the day when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free.   The city will celebrate Juneteenth, which was designated as a federal holiday in 2021, from 3:45 to 7 p.m.