Lawton

County finalizes ARPA grants for hospital

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
LAWTON — Comanche County Memorial Hospital will receive $607,959 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to upgrade the hospital’s internet capability and buy additional equipment. With little discussion, the Comanche County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 Feb.

FISTA approves five-year leases for two defense contractors

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
LAWTON — Lawton’s hub for defense contractors has two new tenants. The FISTA Development Trust Authority recently approved five-year leases with Berry Aviation Inc., a Texas-based specialty aviation company, and Dynetics Inc., an Alabama-based defense contractor.
From the left, Lawton Mayor Stan Booker and City Attorney John Ratliff prepare for a Lawton City Council meeting Friday at City Hall. The council repealed an ordinance, which was set to take effect this month, requiring all businesses to obtain a general business license. ERIC SWANSON | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

From the left, Lawton Mayor Stan Booker and City Attorney John Ratliff prepare for a Lawton City Council meeting Friday at City Hall. The council repealed an ordinance, which was set to take effect this month, requiring all businesses to obtain a general business license. ERIC SWANSON | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

City repeals business licensing requirement

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
LAWTON — The Lawton City Council took a measure requiring all business owners within the city limits to obtain a general business permit off the books Friday. After hearing from business owners who opposed the idea, the council voted unanimously to repeal the ordinance containing the requirement.

Hospital fundraiser set for March 25

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
LAWTON — The deadline to buy tickets for this year’s Children’s Starlight Fund event is just around the corner. March 3 is the deadline to purchase individual tickets for the 16th annual event, which sell for $125 apiece.
From the left, Owen, Gwyneth and Theodore Poudrier are shown with their parents, Jason and Chelsey Poudrier, during a Jan. 31 interview at the Oklahoma Blood Institute in Lawton. The Poudriers shared Theodore’s story to encourage people to donate blood. ERIC SWANSON | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

From the left, Owen, Gwyneth and Theodore Poudrier are shown with their parents, Jason and Chelsey Poudrier, during a Jan. 31 interview at the Oklahoma Blood Institute in Lawton. The Poudriers shared Theodore’s story to encourage people to donate blood. ERIC SWANSON | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

Telling Theodore’s story

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
LAWTON — Without donated blood, Theodore Poudrier might not have lived to see his first birthday. Theodore was born Jan. 29, 2022, at Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton. He was suffering from meconium aspiration syndrome, so his lungs were not working properly.
PSO contract linemen replace a section of a 7,620-volt power line along Seventh Street north of Gore Boulevard in Lawton in March 2021. KYLETTA RAY | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

PSO contract linemen replace a section of a 7,620-volt power line along Seventh Street north of Gore Boulevard in Lawton in March 2021. KYLETTA RAY | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

PSO preps for construction on high-voltage Lawton line

News Staff
Monday, January 30, 2023
LAWTON — Work has begun on a $23 million project by Public Service Company of Oklahoma to rebuild approximately 10 miles of aged high-voltage electric transmission line in east Lawton.
From the left, Comanche County District Judge Grant Sheperd shakes hands with District Judge Emmit Tayloe after Sheperd was sworn into office Monday at the Comanche County Courthouse. ERIC SWANSON | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

From the left, Comanche County District Judge Grant Sheperd shakes hands with District Judge Emmit Tayloe after Sheperd was sworn into office Monday at the Comanche County Courthouse. ERIC SWANSON | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

New judges begin term

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
LAWTON — Comanche County’s judicial staff is back up to full strength after two new judges were sworn in Monday.
The marquee for the Vaska Theatre in Lawton is shown Dec. 20. RIP STELL | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

The marquee for the Vaska Theatre in Lawton is shown Dec. 20. RIP STELL | SOUTHWEST LEDGER

Vaska: ‘Our crowd continues to grow’

Eric Swanson
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
LAWTON – The COVID-19 pandemic upended many industries, including the film industry. Movie theaters closed their doors temporarily, and new releases were postponed due to COVID-related production delays. And even when theaters reopened, some audiences were slow to return.
The former Dunbar Elementary School, 1702 W N H Jones Ave., is shown Wednesday. The Lawton City Council placed the school, along with 39 other buildings, on the city’s dilapidated and dangerous list Tuesday. Eric Swanson/Ledger photo

The former Dunbar Elementary School, 1702 W N H Jones Ave., is shown Wednesday. The Lawton City Council placed the school, along with 39 other buildings, on the city’s dilapidated and dangerous list Tuesday. Eric Swanson/Ledger photo

Lawton adds 40 structures to dilapidated buildings list

Eric Swanson
Thursday, January 20, 2022
LAWTON — Lawton added 40 buildings Tuesday to the city’s list of dilapidated and dangerous structures, also known as the D and D list. After conducting public hearings for each building, the Lawton City Council voted to place all 40 on the list.
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