Woodward News

02/14/2025

Woodward Eggs and Issues Feb 14.

02/14/2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reforming federal disaster response operations could benefit Oklahoma and ensure more money goes directly to those who need it, a state official said.

President Donald Trump has called for eliminating or reforming the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is in charge of administering federal disaster aid and giving the funds directly to states.

Oklahoma, which is in Tornado Alley, ranks high among the states with the most disasters, according to several reports.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reforming federal disaster response operations could benefit Oklahoma and ensure more money goes directly to those who need it, a state official said.

02/13/2025

OKLAHOMA CITY While giving a searing indictment of Oklahomas education chief on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, Gov. Kevin Stitt rejected the idea of having schools collect childrens immigration status.

Stitt accused state Superintendent Ryan Walters of using kids as political pawns to launch a campaign for higher office.

While giving a searing indictment of Oklahoma’s education chief on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, Gov. Kevin Stitt rejected the idea of having schools collect children’s immigration status.

02/13/2025

Rain has begun falling in California where an atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy downpours, winds and flooding Thursday to areas ravaged by wildfires. Ahead of the storm’s arrival, officials distributed sandbags, prepositioned rescue swimmers and told residents to have their go-bags ready.

Meanwhile, Portland, Oregon, coated its streets with liquid anti-icer while officials in that state and Idaho opened emergency shelters to prepare for snow and ice on Thursday.

Rain has begun falling in California where an atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy downpours, winds and flooding to areas ravaged by wildfires. Officials ahead of the storm's arrival

02/13/2025

The Waynoka FFA Chapter had an eventful and productive National FFA Week, filled with community service, competitions and school-wide celebrations.

The week kicked off on Feb. 1 during the Waynoka Local Livestock Show and Baking Show, setting the stage for a series of activities highlighting the dedication and hard work of FFA members.

The Waynoka FFA Chapter had an eventful and productive National FFA Week, filled with community service, competitions and school-wide celebrations.

02/12/2025

Like the villain in a '90s action movie, winter struck back with a vengeance in January following the unusual warmth that closed out 2024.

Several strong cold fronts delivered blustery winds, snow, ice and some of the coldest air the state had seen since the generational freeze of January 2021.

Like the villain in a '90s action movie, winter struck back with a vengeance in January following the unusual warmth that closed out 2024.

02/12/2025

Woodward welcomed Garden City to town Friday night as the girls looked to break their four-game losing streak and the boys pushed for 11 straight wins on the season.

The girls controlled the opening quarters against Garden City allowing them a 34-23 lead into the half in part because of solid team defense that frustrated the Garden City offense and 12 points from junior forward Lexi Mendell. The second half saw Garden City make a late run to pull the game within a possession in the closing minutes, however Woodward held on for a 64-59 win.

Woodward welcomed Garden City to town Friday night as the girls looked to break their four-game losing streak and the boys pushed for 11 straight wins on the season.

02/12/2025

OKLAHOMA CITY Evictions in Oklahoma may be on the decline, and several lawmakers are focusing on legislation to further lower the number of eviction cases filed in the state.

According to Legal Services Corporation eviction tracking, approximately 48,070 eviction cases were filed in 2024, a drop of 200 cases from 2023.

Several state lawmakers this legislative session are promoting bills designed to further reduce evictions in Oklahoma.

Evictions in Oklahoma may be on the decline, and several lawmakers are focusing on legislation to further lower the number of eviction cases filed in the state.

02/11/2025

There's a water main break at the intersection of 3rd and Main street. Crews are on scene.

02/11/2025

Eight Arnett Middle School students, their teacher and parents gathered at the Red Prairie Steak House Sunday afternoon to share and be honored for their winning essays.

The event was sponsored by the Delta Kappa Gamma Psi sorority of Woodward. The group is dedicated to supporting education in its community.

Eight Arnett Middle School students, their teacher and parents gathered at the Red Prairie Steak House Sunday afternoon to share and be honored for their winning essays.

02/11/2025

Woodward County Commissioners have decided to plan for and perform the necessary applications to avoid any more confusion caused by the federal grant and loan freeze.

In a statement made in the Monday morning meeting, Woodward County Grants Coordinator Tom Lucas said, until the federal government has time to review the programs, many grants and loan programs, to include grants and loans from the Farm Service Agency, could be on hold.

Lucas said on Feb. 5, he reviewed the Grants Station Database, Rural Health information Hub, USDA Rural Development, Department of Energy, Department of Interior, National Rural Road Safety Center and EPA news releases and found little to no activity because of the current administrations executive order freezing all federal grants and loans.

Woodward County Commissioners have decided to plan for and perform the necessary applications to avoid any more confusion caused by the federal grant and loan freeze.

02/11/2025

Zanston Clark, Madison Harmon, Kennedy Phillips and Kensli Shaffer recently competed in Northwestern Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour competition.

Harmon and Shaffer won an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. where they will spend six days touring the nation’s capital this June.

Zanston Clark, Madison Harmon, Kennedy Phillips and Kensli Shaffer recently competed in Northwestern Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour competition.

02/11/2025

Community news has always been about community first.

We at the Woodward News have long been committed to that principle, as we have professionally reported the local news through the decades without fear or favor.

Our readers have been a critical partner in this endeavor of community building and preserving and nurturing democracy, and indeed, we would not exist without the support of our readers.

And we will continue to put readers first for many more decades, but our business model must change.

Community news has always been about community first.

02/10/2025

Woodward City Commissioners opened their meeting Monday with a public hearing.

City of Woodward’s Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer spoke about the city’s 2025 hazard mitigation plan.

The plan is an over-arching strategy to deal with floods, tornadoes, wildfires and other disasters.

According to Lehenbauer, the plan must be renewed every five years.

Woodward City Commissioners opened their meeting Monday with a public hearing.

02/10/2025

Woodward Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum Director Mikel Robinson has invited all to attend a book-signing that will highlight and honor the book “Justice for All.”

“Justice for All” chronicles the life of renown character by the name of Dick T. Morgan, who influenced Woodward landowners at a pivotal time and then created systems that supported and influenced the region for nearly six generations.

Author Michael Hightower and Dick T. Morgan’s great-grandsons, David and Kenyon Morgan will be present for the book signing meet-and-greet at the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Robinson said.

Woodward Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum Director Mikel Robinson has invited all to attend a book-signing that will highlight and honor the book “Justice for All.”

02/10/2025

OKLAHOMA CITY — Some weather enthusiasts are hoping a plan to create a new class of storm chaser will breeze through the Legislature, but the effort has ignited concerns about government overregulation in what has become a booming industry.

House Bill 2426 would classify some storm chasers as “professional severe weather trackers” for a small fee. The designation would allow chasers to subvert road closures, run red lights, add flashing lights and act as “emergency vehicles.”

House Bill 2426 would classify some storm chasers as “professional severe weather trackers” for a small fee. The designation would allow chasers to subvert road closures, run red lights, add

02/09/2025

It took a little while for Oklahoma to get rolling in both of its games on opening day Thursday in California.

Through the first four innings of the Sooners’ season opener against California State Northridge they trailed 2-1 and were being outhit 4-1. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Abigale Dayton went to the plate for the second time and drew a five-pitch walk.

It took a little while for Oklahoma to get rolling in both of its games on opening day Thursday in California.

02/09/2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle Thursday expressed reluctance to fully embrace a cut in the state’s income tax rate championed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Republican leaders said they were concerned about the timing of Stitt’s proposed half-a-percent cut given the expected $600 million price tag and because they entered session with an estimated $300 million less to spend just to keep the budget flat.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle Thursday expressed reluctance to fully embrace a cut in the state’s income tax rate championed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.