County Treasurer Kim Hale was recently elected as President of the Oklahoma County Treasurers’ Association, an article stated. Her numerous duties and responsibilities in office were detailed in the story. Hale’s term will be for two years.
Anewly formed Truancy Court with officials from Sulphur and Davis Public Schools, the county District Attorney’s Office, and Judge Mark Melton joined together on Sept 18 for their first official meeting for truant students for this school year. The meetings will be held at the county courthouse twice monthly for families of students with excessive absences. Options, available resources and consequences will be discussed and provided. Oklahoma Statutes compelling children to attend school were described in this week’s article.
October
October 3 -- “Let Freedom Ring!” -- the headline announced this week. The city council voted 5-0 to renew public comments (public participation) on regular meeting agendas. The action took place at a special meeting recently. The agenda item that had appeared on meeting agendas for years was omitted from the September council agenda, without notifying the council members of the decision.
That omission fired up the council members who opposed trying to silence citizens from addressing the council with issues and/or concerns. Sulphur Mayor Darrell Cole summed up the feelings saying, “We need to have public participation because people need a voice.”
New Council Policies and Procedures as well as a sample agenda outline were approved at the meeting. Also,, new rules for Public Comments were adopted, and all aspects of council meetings were outlined.
Two city commissions have elected new board members recently. The tornado in the spring has added new urgency for the two commissions: the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Council members in the regular meeting were told that the two commissions need to be in place before the Sulphur Recovery Task Force could move forward with the rebuilding process. The commissions are meeting monthly during the rebuilding process.
Another notice in the paper announced that the task force is holding a public meeting on Oct. 10 at theArtesian Hotel Ballroom. Many topics are available for discussion. Residences in the storm affected area also will be discussed.
A photo this week showed the 12 new Leadership Murray County XX members just returned from their first session at a two-day team building retreat.
A couple of pages this week featured Murray County Fair results and photos of the livestock show winners.
Afront page story announced it is Homecoming Time at Sulphur High School. The parade and pep rally are set for Oct. 4, followed by the coronation ceremony that evening before the football game. A large color photo displayed this year’s princesses, senior candidates and escorts.
October 10 -- Homecoming activities dominated the front and back pages of the paper this week. The 2024 SHS Homecoming Queen is Landry Couch, shown in photos with her escort, Justin Gilliam. The back page was full of Homecoming Parade floats with winners listed.
Aphoto showed six Chickasaw Nation officials recently elected that were sworn into office recently. They included five legislators and one tribal Supreme Court justice. They all serve three-year terms in office.
The school board cleaned up some housekeeping items in a light agenda at their Monday meeting. The superintendent reported the schools are in good shape financially even while they await insurance and FEMAclaims from the April 27 tornado. Total cash value in all accounts is about $9.4 million.
Finally, an article by the Oklahoma PressAssociation executive vice president, announced the observance of Oklahoma Newspaper Week. He reminds us that freedom of the press is embodied in the five freedoms listed in the Constitutions First Amendment -- speech, press, worship, petition and assembly. He cautions about the corrosive influence of social media platforms that spread “fear, greed and hate,” and “harm young people’s mental health.”
He praised responsible local journalists who are “responsive to their communities and … help commemorate and celebrate events and activities in your town.”
October 17 -- The City of Sulphur is having problems paying bills due to a predictable lack of funds. At the council meeting recently several agenda items were tabled because funds were not in place to make the payments. These involved contractors on water projects in the municipal authority portion of the meeting.
In the general council meeting, two groups requested action on new contracts with the city. The council reached agreement with the Artists of the Arbuckles for their contract lease agreement. Action was tabled on the lease agreement with the Arbuckle Historical Society, but council agreed to enter negotiations with the group.
The new Historic Preservation Commission is off and running as it called a special meeting last week at city hall. Among the actions at the meeting was the granting of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the construction plans for the new Mix Mercantile building located at the same site as the former store that was destroyed in the tornado.
The three members present at the meeting also held a discussion on remapping the City of Sulphur Historic District, but tabled any action. The group wants to make further inquiries before deciding on new boundaries.
A mysterious early morning fire at the Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church is being investigated as arson by the State Fire Marshall’s office. The investigation is ongoing, and there is one person in custody, according to Assistant Fire Chief Tracy Laxton.
A front page photo showed a comet passing over our area on Oct. 12. NASA calls this comet ATLAS. It is visible from earth once every 80,000 years. This time, the comet’s closest transit near earth was 44 million miles distant.
In her column this week, Murray County Extension Educator Debbie Sharp asks the cogent question: “Technology -- Friend or Foe.” The yin-yang answer is, of course, it is both!
She discusses the positive and negative effects of time spent online, especially when children use technology like social media. While we use technology in positive, helpful ways, Sharp lists no less than nine potential negative effects of online activities. She explains, “It’s important to employ strategies that will help minimize the impact of technology to promote healthier habits.”
Parents should set boundaries and limits on not only children but themselves, too. Limiting exposure to technology, she says, “will help reduce dependency on devices and improve mental health.”
This issue also featured the sample ballots for the Nov. 5 general election.
October 24 -- A large group photo showed a beam-raising event at the high school recently. The final I-beam in the new building construction was signed by the group and raised into place. Another photo showed school board members and the superintendent signing the beam.
A page 1 tribute to Murray County Undersheriff Jay Mc-Clure, 48, praised him as “a great public servant” who lost his battle with ALS on Oct. 19 after two years of “fighting the good fight,” the article explained. His history with the sheriff’s office began with him joining in 2004. Over the years he worked on more than 450 felony cases.
Jay served in the U.S. Army in the 1990s. In December, 2023, he received a coveted award in a ceremony at Fort Sill, OK.
A Sulphur man was charged last week with second degree arson in a fire that damaged Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church west of Sulphur. The man was arrested on the scene of the fire after admitting to authorities he set the blaze, according to an affidavit filed with the charging documents. The 24-year-old admitted to a sheriff’s deputy and the Sulphur fire chief that he heard voices talking to him before he set the fire, according to the affidavit.
The Sulphur Times-Democrat newspaper building at 115 W. Muskogee St. downtown has reopened, according to owners James and Kathy John. While the building was heavily damaged in the tornado, it sustained no structural damage, and is in the final state of repair.
October 31 -- The last October issue of the paper had a front page full of voting news about the upcoming general election featuring a presidential race between Trump and Harris. Several stories on page 1 this week describe the “historic election” on Nov. 5.
Other articles this week educated voters about providing proper ID at the polls and details on actions allowed or prohibited around voting sites on Election Day.
Debbie Sharp is back with an extensive column all about “Preventing the Flu This Season.” In the first sentence, she cuts to the chase and claims “The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year.” Following that, Sharp explains the many other safeguards and behaviors that can “help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu.”
She describes social distancing, sanitizing, hand washing, and other good health habits to avoid illness this season. The article ends with a lengthy list of “who is at higher risk for flu complications.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond observes that “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.” He presents some “alarming statistics” about this topic in Oklahoma families and communities. Drummond reports, “Our state averages 114 domestic homicide victims per year. We ranked second in the nation for women killed by men.”
The article reports that more than half of women and nearly half of men will experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/ or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.
Working to reduce domestic violence in the state are agencies within the attorney general’s office. These include The Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and the Victim Advocacy and Services Unit. Another “critical tool” to deal with this crisis, Drummond said, is increased funding from the legislature that directs $17 million to “certified domestic violence and sexual assault providers across Oklahoma.”
November
November 7 -- County commissioners have approved advertising for bids for the renovation of the historic courthouse that dates to 1923. Bids will go out this month, and bid opening is tentatively set for Dec. 5.
The city council has finally approved several payments on claims for the OWRB/Chickasaw Nation water project. The action was at a special called meeting. Invoices for two other contractors on other projects also were paid. The council approved a bid of $738,510.00 for the Wynnewood Street lead line project. Bids also were approved for a well drilling project and a new air conditioning unit at the Artists of the Arbuckles building. Other smaller bids were approved for a roadway improvement project and repair on a garbage truck.
Sulphur finally has a U.S. Post Office again! It reopened this week in a temporary building adjacent to the decades old facility that was heavily damaged in the April tornado.
Storms over the weekend left nearly 4 inches of rain, providing much-needed drought relief. It was the first rain since September. The weather system statewide brought tornadoes to the Oklahoma City area, and even a brief tornado warning to Murray County on Monday.
More than $30,000 has been received for the plaza repairs and rebuild through two recent fundraisers. The Sulphur City of Springs Car Show in September and a recent benefit provided donations to the project. Speaker of the House Charles McCall also donated $10,000 for the plaza. The tornado swept away the Plaza structures and landscaping.
November 14 -- The big news this week was “Trump’s big win nationally” and in the state and Murray County. Election results were on page 1, and included announcing Congressman Tom Cole retained his House seat. Trump and Cole both gained nearly 80 percent of the votes in Murray County.
The city council is considering yet another utility rate increase. At a regular meeting on Tuesday due to the Monday Veteran’s Day holiday, the agenda included discussion of an increase. There was a significant increase in July, 2023 in both water and sewer rates. Also that year residents received another increase when they were required to lease city-owned poly carts and pay a monthly fee for “cart maintenance.”
Color photos on the front page showed floats in the recent parade to honor veterans that moved down Broadway in Sulphur Monday. The parade is sponsored by American Legion Post 148 in Sulphur.
November 21 -- The city council, at their meeting last week, decided not to decide and tabled discussion of a proposed increase in utility rates for Sulphur residents. The delay allows time for the city manager to compare rates in surrounding communities, a story explained. Sulphur differs from many other communities in that it does not have to purchase water since it has its own wells.
The council also tabled numerous other agenda items at the meeting. Council approved hiring a consulting company to handle the FEMA Disaster Recovery Process for the tornado damage and debris clean up. They also approved a bid for laying water lines in well drilling locations not to exceed $3,798,136.00, part of a large grant project.
A charming take on the Thanksgiving turkey dinner was offered in a story about students at the INCA Head Start in Sulphur. The kids had some unique ideas on how to cook the turkey. Among the recipe steps were cooking times ranging from 30 minutes to just 5 minutes “in the microwave.”
Extension Educator Debbie Sharp weighed in with some more practical Thanksgiving dinner suggestions, including a recipe for “twice baked sweet potatoes,” and ideas for selecting and serving the right amount of turkey and gravy.
Arbuckle Memorial Hospital has earned a 2024 Performance Leadership Award for excellence from Chartis Center for Rural Health. The hospital ranks high among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes, and/or patient perspective, the award states.
November 28 -- The newspaper this week is filled with good wishes for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. A photo on page 1 shows last year’s Avenue of Angels lighting display at the hospital lawn. The annual ceremony is set for Sunday, Dec. 1.
Other front page news is about Sulphur and Davis football teams advancing to state semifinal rounds of games. Sulphur competes in Class 3A and Davis is in Class 2A.
In his regular column, Congressman Tom Cole noted that November is National Native American Heritage Month. The observance was declared by President H.W. Bush in 1990 as “a time to celebrate our nation’s firstAmericans as well as their traditions, languages, and stories.”
Cole remembered his relatives who were active in Chickasaw Nation government, and his mother, Helen Cole, who was the first Native American woman elected to the Oklahoma State Senate. Today, Cole is the longest serving Native American in the House of Representatives and the first Native American to Chair the House Appropriations Committee.
Cole outlined his many legislative activities on behalf of NativeAmericans. He also serves as the Republican Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Native American Caucus.
At the state level, House Speaker Charles McCall’s column was a statement he gave on his last day as speaker. He thanked his family and many other supporters for the opportunity of serving District 22 for 12 years. After remembering many activities in the House over these years, McCall ended his statement saying, “God Bless the Great State of Oklahoma!”
An article announced the election of Representative Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, as Speaker- Elect of the House for the 60th Legislature.
December
December 5 -- Spirits are high this week as Sulphur and Davis football teams head to Edmond to compete in state championship games. This is a first time for both Murray County teams to play in championship games in the same season. Sulphur heads to this state final with 12 consecutive wins for the season.
Seasonal photos were displayed this week on page one. The 27th annualAvenue ofAngels ceremony drew a crowd of more than 100 Sunday night at the hospital. The event featured the reading of more than 275 names of lost loved ones, remembrance messages, and singing.
A couple of photos showed the annual Sulphur Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade, complete with Santa on a fire truck.
After the retirement of County Extension Ag Educator John Holman in July, Ryan Ricks has joined the staff as Ag Educator. Ricks explained that he has a “passion for agriculture and all things associated with it.”
The city council met in another special session to finally approve payments to contractors and engineers. The items had previously been tabled because funds were not yet available.
The state climatologist reported that November was “one of the most extreme months in state history.” The month set weather records for the highest statewide average rainfall and the most tornadoes ever recorded in November. At least 31 tornadoes were confirmed, nearly tripling the previous monthly record of 12 set back in 1958. The record rain led to flooding woes, but did help alleviate the ongoing state drought.
December 12 -- Last Thursday’s state title football thriller ended in a “game of inches”, as the Sulphur Bulldogs lost to Lincoln Christian, 28-27. With just a minute left in the game, Sulphur missed by inches making a two-point conversion.
Sulphur’s history now includes four trips to the state championship games earning two gold and two silver balls. Head Coach Corey Cole said, “I was just super proud of the 2024 Sulphur Bulldog football team.” He praised the team’s “toughness, grit, commitment, dedication, and pride” in the program.
The Davis Wolves won their 7th State Championship in their class, beating Vian 28-18.
City Council approved a contract for the tornado debris recovery. Priorities now are the debris pile at the limb yard, Rock Creek, and maximizing insurance claims.
The council also approved a quote from RFD Construction for ceiling repairs at the library. The damage occurred when two juveniles fell through the ceiling while working on the roof. They were not injured, officials stated.
Congressman Tom Cole, in his regular column, stated, “We must help our communities” by ensuring those impacted by natural disasters like tornadoes “get the critical FEMA assistance they need.” He added that passing a disaster aid bill in congress is “central to this duty.”
December 19 -- Another special counsel meeting Monday resulted in the members unanimously voting down a proposed change to the city and the SMA employee-designated holidays policy. The proposal would amend the personnel policy to require employees to work on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, in exchange for a personal day.
In other action, progress is reported in the ongoing recovery efforts after the tornado. The council received a 49-page Strategic Plan Report presented by the Task Force Co-Chairman Brad Jessop. The plan results from six committee meetings and a survey from citizens and business owners about needs and likes for the future of the downtown area. Members approved the plan, which will allow for the city or groups to seek grants and funding for the project. Other agenda items addressed at the meeting were of a general housekeeping nature.
Predictably (and happily) other items on the front page this week concerned the Christmas holidays. Murray County 4-Hers were pictured receiving a $500 check honoring the judge’s award for their 2024 Christmas Parade float. The award is from the chamber of commerce.
Other photos showed a group enjoying “a perfect winter day” for the 2nd annual WreathsAcross America ceremony. Locally, the wreaths were placed at the Oaklawn Cemetery. The wreaths event is national, and it honors the resting places of American veterans. Sponsors here this year are the Murray County OHCE groups and the SulphurAmerican Legion Post 148.
Oklahoma now has a “portal” online where citizens can report examples of waste or inefficiency in state government. A story this week explains that this effort aligns with the federal efforts in the new administration and the “national priority they have set to reduce waste,” according to OK House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow). The government efficiency survey can be accessed via the homepage of the House at: okhouse.gov.
While not a person we usually see mentioned on the Sports pages, our own Congressman Tom Cole’s column this week discusses the significance of “A Game That Transcends Sports.” Namely he refers to the Army- Navy college football game. The game is an “old and historic rivalry” dating back to 1890, Cole says. “This game is truly about tradition, camaraderie, leadership, honor, pride, and, of course, patriotism,” he explained.
Further, Cole adds, “In a time of so much political division, this game also serves as a rare moment of unity. It is a much-needed reminder of what it means to be American.”
“Dear Santa” -- This annual special section authored by Sulphur kids in their letters to the “jolly old elf” is a real treat to read! As a difficult year comes mercifully to a close, it is heartwarming and reassuring to experience the Christmas Spirit of love and hope expressed by the children. It is a treat to learn of their toy preferences. Plus, it’s always amazing to learn how many local children reassure Santa that they “have been really good this year!”
Importantly, many kids are happy they “live in the great town of Sulphur Oklahoma!”
This year especially, it was uplifting to read the warm greetings expressed in messages from dozens of local businesses, merchants, and groups that had seasonal display ads throughout the special Santa section.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
December 26 -- The Christmas Spirit continues in this week’s newspaper issue, the last one for 2024. The Times-Democrat editors and staff wish everyone “Peace and Christmas Joy” in a front page colorful seasonal graphic message.
A holiday tradition continues with this newspaper publishing an “Overview” of important stories in the paper in 2024. This is followed throughout this issue with a comprehensive review of each week’s issue for the first six months of 2024.
In local news this week, a Sulphur police officer was charged recently with felony child neglect for allegedly allowing a sex offender to stay at her residence occupied by a four-year-old child. The information was outlined in a probable cause affidavit and charging documents filed in Murray County District Court last week. The affidavit also stated that the child has been removed from the residence and is safe.
Two happy photos in this issue display the holiday spirit. In one, Sulphur Cub Scout Pack 122 paid a nice visit to the Veterans Center residents last week. “The kids gave each resident a Christmas card, thanked them for their service, and sang Christmas carols to them.”
The other photo showed Sulphur Rotary Club members donating $5,492.71 to the Methodist Church for the Food Bank program. The funds were raised from the Rotary Shrimp Boil held earlier in the year.
A statement from Washington, D.C. announced that the American Relief Act of 2025 has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Tom Cole authored the legislation that aims to provide relief for cities and states across the nation that have faced disasters, leaving them with “destruction and despair.” Among the many detailed relief efforts in this legislation are some aimed at Oklahoma and “rural communities, particularly farmers and ranchers facing both a tough farm economy and the aftermath of multiple disasters.”
For Sulphur’s Historic Preservation Fund, $50 million is proposed to “help reconstruct and rehabilitate the over 40 resources in the downtown that were damaged or destroyed” in the tornado and storms. National Park Service Construction funds are also proposed that can be used to help CNRA recover and rebuild.
Cole explained, “This legislation is focused on helping the U.S. heal and rebuild stronger. I encourage our colleagues in the Senate to advance this bill.”
