Curtis Awbrey - Community Correspondent

28/01/2022

Hired as executive director of Boys and Girls Club of Lawton last summer, Jacobi Crowley looked to his staff for suggestions on ways to advance the club and ensure greater success for its 80 members - many of whom are second or third generation members.

https://www.southwestledger.news/1210-top/1210-top-jacobi-crowley-0

Hired as executive director of Boys and Girls Club of Lawton last summer, Jacobi Crowley looked to his staff for suggestions on ways to advance the club and ensure greater success

27/01/2022

District officials have proposed expanding the Cache Middle School by adding four new classrooms and two science labs and more.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/comanche-county-cache-sets-bond-vote-school-expansion-fieldhouse

CACHE – Over the past three decades, the average class size at Cache Middle School has grown from about 60 students in the mid-1980s to more than 150 students today.

21/01/2022

Four of the state’s largest hospital systems said Tuesday they have no beds in their intensive care units, no inpatient beds available and their emergency departments were overflowing.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/hospital-leaders-say-omicron-taxing-emergency-rooms-health-care-staff

OKLAHOMA CITY — Four of the state’s largest hospital systems said Tuesday they have no beds in their intensive care units, no inpatient beds available and their e

20/01/2022

Oklahoma gained more than 182,100 registered voters in 2020 but lost more than 53,870 in the following 12 months.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/state-voter-registrations-slip-over-over-past-year

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma gained more than 182,100 registered voters in 2020 prior to the Biden/Trump presidential election but lost more than 53,870 in the follow

17/01/2022

April 20th, the 420 counterculture cannabis consumption “holiday,” was the largest cannabis sales day ever last year.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/top-5-cannabis-sales-days-2021

OKLAHOMA CITY — The counterculture cannabis consumption “holiday” reportedly was the largest cannabis sales day ever last year.

07/01/2022

The opinion of a Comanche County district judge that a Native American committed a double murder on land that is no longer part of “Indian Country” has been sustained by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.

https://www.southwestledger.news/appeals-court-affirms-trial-judges-opinion-kca-reservation-dissolved-congress

OKLAHOMA CITY — The opinion of a Comanche County district judge that a Native American committed a double-murder in southwest Oklahoma on land that is no longer part of “Indian co

07/01/2022

The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark “McGirt” ruling has since extended to state government regulation and taxation issues.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/mcgirt-ruling-rippling-through-state

OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark McGirt ruling, that much of eastern Oklahoma is tribal land, solely addressed criminal jurisprudence.

30/12/2021

Fort Sill, the birthplace of Army aviation, established Henry Post Army Airfield in August of 1917.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/fort-sill-birthplace-army-aviation-0

When the first Army Aviation unit, the 1st Aero Squadron, arrived at Fort Sill on July 29, 1915, there wasn’t an airfield.

29/12/2021

Lawton City Council gave the green light for the youth sports complex but some council members said their constituents object to building the complex in Elmer Thomas Park.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/lawton-oks-youth-sports-complex-plan

LAWTON – Lawton City Council gave the green light Tuesday on a proposal to build Lawton’s youth sports complex in Elmer Thomas Park.

11/12/2021

The 1st Aero Squadron was assigned to Fort Sill in 1915 to work with the Field Artillery School under the command of Capt. Benjamin “Benny” Foulois. Read part one in the 1st Aero Squadron and the Jenny

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/fort-sill-birthplace-army-aviation

Fort Sill’s 1st Aero Squadron took off from Columbus, New Mexico, late in the afternoon on March 19, 1916, to participate in Brig. Gen. John J.

10/12/2021

“There’s a longstanding family tradition here.” says Jacobi Crowley the new Unit Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawton.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/new-director-embraces-change-boys-and-girls-club

LAWTON — After taking the helm in September, Jacobi Crowley asked his staff for suggestions on ways to advance the club and ensure greater success for its 80 members—ma

03/12/2021

Memories of carrying her belongings in a trash bag prompted Quilt N Bee shop manager Mandy Martine-Ralston to start a program that puts pillowcases in the hands of foster children.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news-profiles/quilt-shop-starts-program-help-foster-children

CACHE – Mandy Martine-Ralston still remembers the day when her family adopted her sister and four other children, who were carrying trash bags that held their b

02/12/2021

Check out this list of holiday events happening in southwest Oklahoma!

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/southwest-oklahoma-holiday-events-scheduled

29/11/2021

The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Cameron University hosted a forum about supply chain disruptions Nov. 18 in Ross Hall on the CU campus. The event explored how those disruptions are playing out on the national and local levels.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/chamber-forum-highlights-supply-chain-woes

LAWTON — Recently, Comanche Lumber Co.

29/11/2021

Comanche County’s essential employees who were on the payroll during the pandemic will receive hazard pay starting in December.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/comanche-co-workers-set-receive-hazard-pay

LAWTON — Comanche County’s essential employees who were on the payroll during t

23/11/2021

Two recent court decisions may mean that companies providing sick, jury duty, bereavement or other forms of paid short-term leave may be required to also offer paid short-term military leave.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/userra-and-paid-short-term-military-leave

Two recent court decisions may mean that companies providing sick, jury duty, bereavement or other forms of paid short-term leave may be required by the Uniforme

22/11/2021

The city will host a public hearing at 2pm on December 1st to allow citizens to weigh in on the city’s new ward map.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/city-host-redistricting-hearing-dec-1

LAWTON – Lawton residents will get a chance to weigh in on the city’s new ward map before the Lawton Redistricting Commission decides whether to

11/11/2021

Flower Mound Public School patrons approved a $2 million bond issue during Tuesday’s vote.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/flower-mound-childhood-center-bond-passes

LAWTON – Patrons of the Flower Mound Public School district have approved a $2 million bond issue to build an early childhood center, which will include a safe ro

11/11/2021

Local Lawtonian Alberto Rivas was among 15 individuals and three organizations honored at the 44th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Awards.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/rivas-receives-governors-community-service-award

OKLAHOMA CITY — Honorees from across the state were recognized for their contributions to the arts at the state Capitol Tuesday.

09/11/2021

Mayor Stan Booker recently honored three citizens for going above and beyond for the Lawton Fort Sill Community every day.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/lawton-honors-extra-mile-heroes

LAWTON — Mayor Stan Booker recently honored three citizens for going above and beyond for the Lawton Fort Sill Community every day.

08/11/2021

The Southwest Ledger recently interviewed Malone and Harris before the November 9th square off.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/harris-malone-make-final-bid-ward-2-seat

LAWTON — After making it through the primary election in September, Mark Malone and Kelly Harris will square off again Tuesday, Nov. 9.

01/11/2021

A playground designed for children with autism, spinal issues, cerebral palsy and even children with zero mobility came several steps closer to completion last Saturday in Elmer Thomas Park.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/joes-vision-lawton-steps-all-inclusive-playground

LAWTON — A vision shared by many became several steps closer to completion Satu

01/11/2021

Read how the McMahon family built a lasting legacy in Lawton arts.

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/whats-name

Thoughts of bringing culture to a rough-and-tumble tent city might not have been on Louise D.

28/10/2021

Eat pancakes for a good cause? Okay! Join the AMBUCS November 1st for their Pancake Days!

LAWTON — This year marks the 65th year Lawton AMBUCS has hosted its annual Pancake Day to raise funds for community members with mobility issues and disabilities

08/10/2021

Are you registered to vote? Make sure your vote counts in Ward 2's runoff election and register by Oct. 15!
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/voter-registration-applications-due-oct-15

Oct. 15 is the last day to apply for voter registration for the Ward 2 runoff election for the Lawton City Council and the Flower Mound School bond election, which is set for Nov. 9.

08/10/2021

Lawton's Parks and Recreation Department welcomes you and your family to a Halloween Spooktacular Friday, Oct. 29! This event is FREE and open to everyone! https://www.southwestledger.news/news/lawton-set-host-halloween-spooktacular-oct29

LAWTON — Lawton’s Parks and Recreation Department will host its Halloween Spook

08/10/2021

Meet the city of Lawton's new communications and marketing director, Kaley Dorsey:
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/dorsey-takes-over-lawtons-new-pio

LAWTON — Lawton has a new public information director.

01/10/2021

Lawton City Council signed off Tuesday on an agreement that would help the developer of a proposed retail complex in west Lawton cover the cost of improving the site.
Read more about that deal here:
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/city-oks-rebate-deal-retail-center

LAWTON – Lawton City Council signed off Tuesday on an agreement that would help the developer of a proposed retail complex in west Lawton cover the cost of

01/10/2021

Join New Directions in their 6th annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Oct. 5:
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/domestic-violence-awareness-walk-set-oct-5

LAWTON — A Lawton-area agency working to help victims of domestic and sexual violence will again host an annual walk intended to call awareness

01/10/2021

The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians are helping to provide FREE vision care for Oklahomans this weekend!
Learn how you can schedule an appointment today through tomorrow:
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/event-set-provide-free-vision-care

The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians is teaming up with optometrists across the state this weekend for Giving Sight Day, an event designed to provid

24/09/2021

Lawton City Council passed a vote to reorganize its emergency communications department 6-0: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/city-revamp-911-call-center

LAWTON — Lawton is overhauling its emergency communications department in an ef

24/09/2021

Some of Lawton's public service organizations will soon see grant money that will help them provide important public services: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/city-oks-funding-public-service-organizations

LAWTON – Lawton will divide $107,410 in financial aid among eight public service organizations in fiscal year 2021.

24/09/2021

Owners of local coffee shop Viridian raised around $8,500 for charity created to help women with unexpected pregnancies: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/viridian-raises-8500-pregnancy-center

DUNCAN — Patrons of a popular local coffee chain have again dug deep to show their support for Southwest Oklahoma mothers.

17/09/2021

United Way of Southwest Oklahoma is having to find new and creative ways to fundraise as a nonprofit. Due to Covid-19 concerns, they've also had to cancel their biggest annual fundraising event - the Blue Tie Gala.
Now more than ever are they counting on donations. Together with Classic Chevrolet, USWO is raffling a 2020 Chevy Trax Nov.15, 2021. For ticket information, read here:

https://www.southwestledger.news/news/united-way-southwest-oklahoma-thankful-support-through-pandemic

LAWTON — Over the past 18 months, as many public gatherings were canceled due t

17/09/2021

The First Americans Museum is set to open tomorrow from 8 a.m to 8 p.m., but if you're trying to go inside, you may want to wait!

Read about the outdoor performances and events they have scheduled, as well as how they're using caution when it comes to Covid-19:
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/first-americans-museum-set-open-saturday

OKLAHOMA CITY — Several decades in the making, the First Americans Museum is fi

17/09/2021

Fort Sill National Cemetery held a memorial service for 9/11, where volunteers recounted their memories of that day and helped to clean the graves of soldiers.
https://www.southwestledger.news/news/fort-sill-national-cemetery-director-remembers-sept-11-attacks

FORT SILL NATIONAL CEMETERY — A small group of people listened Friday as Matthe

10/09/2021

Pecan Valley and Shelter Lakes residents will want to keep up with this! Pecan Valley Waterworks Association is looking to reorganize as a rural water water district.

Read what that means for you here: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/commissioners-delay-action-water-district

LAWTON — The Board of Comanche County Commissioners postponed action Monday on

10/09/2021

Comanche County Memorial Hospital has seen an enormous increase in COVID-19 patients. Currently, the OSDH has helped erect an additional emergency room tent.
Read more: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/out-room-ccmh-erects-osdh-emergency-overflow-tent

LAWTON — COVID-19 cases have increased more than 3000% at Comanche County Memorial Hospital since the end of July, prompting state and local officials to erect a large tent to be u

10/09/2021

Looking for some good chicken and Southern Hospitality? Slim Chicken's just opened their new location on NW Cache RD and would LOVE to show you what they've got!
Read what makes them stand out from the rest here: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/slim-chickens-opens-lawton-restaurant

LAWTON — A chicken restaurant chain with a global presence and a reputation for down-home, Southern hospitality has come to Lawton, according to Slim Chickens co-founder and CEO To

03/09/2021

United Way has big hopes for its 2021fundraising campaign! This year's drive will last until Dec. 1 and raffles off a new vehicle from Classic Chevrolet! Learn where to get tickets here: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/united-way-kicks-2021-fundraising-campaign

LAWTON — The chairman of United Way of Southwest Oklahoma’s 2021 fundraising campaign is confident that the organization will surpass this year’s goal, he said.