text stringlengths 237 126k | date_download stringdate 2022-01-01 00:32:20 2023-01-01 00:02:37 ⌀ | source_domain stringclasses 60 values | title stringlengths 4 31.5k ⌀ | url stringlengths 24 617 ⌀ | id stringlengths 24 617 ⌀ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A slam dunk for a good cause Sunday, with the Lawton Police and Fire Departments playing against each other in a basketball fundraiser game.
The game’s been put off due to COVID for a couple years, but officers and firefighters were excited to start back up.
Each team picks a cause to donate proceeds to.
LPD’s proceeds go to the Officer Down Memorial, which honors officers, prison guards and K9′s killed in the line of duty.
Sergeant Timothy Jenkins said the officers all care about giving back and bonding with the community.
“Our police department, our community support us in a lot of things that we do,” Jenkins said. “That charity’s just one of them, so for our police department being able to give back to that charity and let our officers know that have been here, and that are also coming onto our department that that’s something we support and it could happen to any one of us. It’s tremendous for us to be able to do that.”
The fire department’s proceeds benefit the union scholarship, which goes to student firefighters continuing their education.
LFD won the game, 70-40. | 2022-05-02T09:46:09Z | www.kswo.com | LPD, LFD fundraise with basketball game Sunday | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/02/lpd-lfd-fundraise-with-basketball-game-sunday/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/02/lpd-lfd-fundraise-with-basketball-game-sunday/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) -Paws with Love Therapy Dogs visit Comanche County Memorial Hospital multiple times a week to bring smiles to patients and those working at the hospital. They’re celebrated for everything they do on National Therapy Pet Day, which is April 30th.
Leann Legako, a founding member and board member of the group, said they make visits during the daytime, evenings, and even holidays because staff and patients are always there.
“We share our animals when they can’t be with their animals,” she said.
“The feeling of watching our dogs walk into a room, making them light up, making people light up, watching the smiles come over people’s faces is probably one of the best feelings that you can have because we know that our dogs are doing the work that they love the most,” said Keri Brammer, the president of Paws with Love Therapy Dogs.
Paws with Love Therapy Dogs started almost 12-years-ago with just a few members. Brammer said they now have more than 35 members. 4-year-old Sammy is one of dogs who part of the group.
“When he comes to the hospital, we usually go to the rehab areas,” Legako said. “We’ve done some targeted therapy with people. Since I’m a retired employee, we visit a lot of the office staff when we come.”
She said she has read studies about how animals can help calm people.
“Pet therapy has been shown to help with pain, blood pressure, different sort of problems like that,” she said. “That’s what kinda interested me, being a former nurse. I thought that’s kinda interesting because there’s only so much I could do for my patients, and this is just something that added to it.”
The group recently got a proclamation from the mayor for everything they do in the community.
“We are extremely proud of the work that we’ve done,” Brammer said. “When we started at the hospital, we started in one area of the hospital. Over the last 11 years, we have grown to be able to go to so many different areas of the hospital and make such a big difference with the people and the staff and the patients here.”
She said they’ve also expanded what they do in the community like go to the library to let kids read to dogs and visit nursing homes.
“And the cancer center is a huge factor as well. Because if we can make a difference in one person getting a treatment, while they’re getting treatment, that makes our day,” Brammer said.
All the dogs and handlers have gone through testing as a team to make sure they can handle any situation that may arise. If you’d like more information about becoming involved, visit their website. Pawswithlovetd.com.
LATS ends mask mandate | 2022-05-02T16:26:45Z | www.kswo.com | Medwatch: Therapy dogs lift spirits during hospital visits | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/02/medwatch-therapy-dogs-lift-spirits-during-hospital-visits/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/02/medwatch-therapy-dogs-lift-spirits-during-hospital-visits/ |
Following storms a rapid warmup is expected over the weekend
Storms will be forced from north to south and come to an end around midnight. Damaging wind gusts and moderate sized hail will be the main threat for any ongoing storms. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 40s and winds will be out of the north at 15-20 mph with higher wind gusts.
On Tuesday, mostly sunny-to-partly cloudy with highs only rebounding into the low 70s. Winds will be out of the northeast at 5-15 mph. Overall, it will be a brief break from severe weather.
Another storm system evolves from the Pacific Northwest and brings another opportunity for severe weather in Texoma on Wednesday. At the moment, there is a slight (2/5) to enhanced (3/5) risk for severe weather. There will be the chance for large hail, damaging wind gusts and an isolated tornado or two for any embedded supercells that develop. Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and a plan in place.
Once the storm system ejects off towards the northeast showers and thunderstorms will gradually come to an end early Thursday morning. A quick developing upper-level ridge will expand across the Southern Plains allowing temperatures to soar into the low-to-mid 90s throughout the upcoming weekend. | 2022-05-03T04:40:08Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Another storm system brings severe weather on Wednesday | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/03/7news-first-alert-weather-another-storm-system-brings-severe-weather-wednesday/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/03/7news-first-alert-weather-another-storm-system-brings-severe-weather-wednesday/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A field next to Almor West Elementary was transformed into a launch pad for water rockets Monday morning.
Third through 5th graders have been learning how to be rocket scientists the past 2 weeks, not only designing and building the rockets, but they also had to build a special capsule for their “Eggstronauts” to shoot up into the sky and back again without a crack.
And today was the special day where they got to see all their hard work finally pay off.
“They all succeeded,” teacher Ray Kimbrell said. “Whether they succeeded in the mission or not, is whether the egg cracked or didn’t crack. But it was a success for all of them, because they were able to design something and then evaluate it.”
Kids got to hone their STEM skills in Almor West’s Elementary MakerSpace class which is an entirely hands on experience, where kids learn how to design, build, experiment, and evaluate.
Kimbrell says that is why a class like this is so important for students.
“Alot of the hands on activities have disappeared from the classroom. Especially with COVID these last few years, kids staying at home, learning from home, limited contact with each other. It’s been extremely difficult to do any hands on activities where they’re all able to touch the same materials. And some of them, this is the first time they’ve ever done an experiment like this, or a project like this.”
Kimbrell has been doing this experiment with his students for the past 15 years, and says the kids always love it. | 2022-05-03T04:40:41Z | www.kswo.com | Students learn STEM through water rockets at Almor West | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/03/students-learn-stem-through-water-rockets-almor-west/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/03/students-learn-stem-through-water-rockets-almor-west/ |
CYRIL, Okla. (KSWO) - Texoma families are picking up the devastation left behind after an EF-1 tornado ripped through Cyril.
A mobile home was destroyed, and a brick home took substantial damage to it’s roof and wall, after a shed was picked up and thrown into the side of the house.
Several other buildings were damaged, to include a horse barn and another home.
Margie Johnson experienced the storm first hand and said her son had been renovating his mobile home.
But wasn’t home when it was reduced to rubble overnight.
“He lost everything and he has nothing to start over with,” Johnson said. “But I’m just thankful that we’re all alive and safe. And we’ll try to get us some shelter.”
Johnson said her daughter, who also lives nearby, was feeding her baby in her high chair when the storms rolled through.
She didn’t have enough time to take her out of the chair when the winds kicked up, and rushed her children into shelter, high-chair and all.
And a neighbor, Monte Snider, who has lived nearby for 40 years, was set to move to Enid next week; plans that, ultimately, had to be changed due to the damage their home received.
But thankfully, his family wasn’t staying at the house during the tornado in anticipation of their move... which may have saved their lives.
“We feel very fortunate that we were not here when all this happened, because knowing how we are, we probably would’ve been sitting there in the house watching TV watching the coverage of all the storms and all that kind of stuff,” Snider said. “If we would’ve been here, we would’ve probably been killed. So we feel very fortunate to have survived it all.”
He said he never thought his house would’ve been hit by a tornado in the decades he lives there, but stresses that everyone should take these storms seriously, no matter where you are. | 2022-05-04T03:51:53Z | www.kswo.com | Citizens assess damage after Cyril tornado | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/citizens-assess-damage-after-cyril-tornado/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/citizens-assess-damage-after-cyril-tornado/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Lawton Fire Department was called out to a house and garage fire around 2:15 Wednesday morning.
The home was located in the 1800 block of Arlington. When we arrived on scene, we could see flames coming out of the roof. Firefighters were also working in the garage as heavy smoke was coming from there.
No word on what started fire or if anyone was hurt.
If we get more details on that we’ll try to pass it along. | 2022-05-04T16:51:13Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton Fire Department called to house and garage fire | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/lawton-fire-department-called-house-garage-fire/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/lawton-fire-department-called-house-garage-fire/ |
TILLMAN COUNTY, Okla. (KSWO) - One person is dead after a crash in Tillman County, about a mile west of Devol.
According to a report from Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a 2006 GMC was heading west on US 70, just before 11:30 Tuesday night, when the vehicle left the road briefly and then overcorrected, causing it to roll.
OHP says one person was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Wichita Falls, while a 70-year-old Altus man was pronounced dead at the scene.
His name is being withheld until next-of-kin can be notified.
Exact details of the crash are still under investigation. | 2022-05-04T16:51:20Z | www.kswo.com | One person dead following crash in Tillman County | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/one-person-dead-following-crash-tillman-county/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/one-person-dead-following-crash-tillman-county/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Cameron University is making camp fun and educational this summer with activities and crafts.
CU will host two summer children’s camps, starting on May 31 and continuing throughout the summer.
The first, Creative Expressions Art in the Afternoon 2022, features four different art sessions, for kids ages 6 to 12-years.
Classes begin on May 31 and run through July 21 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Registration is $125 per student, with a 20 percent discount for each additional child.
The second camp, Fine Arts Summer Art Institute 2022, runs each Friday throughout June and July.
Offering two sessions, with four classes each, for ages 13 to 18-years.
Registration is $40 per student.
More information can be found by contacting (580) 581-2452. | 2022-05-04T21:05:07Z | www.kswo.com | Cameron University begins registration for summer camps | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/cameron-university-begins-registration-summer-camps/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/cameron-university-begins-registration-summer-camps/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Oklahoma Association for School Administrators (OASA) has announced Lawton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Hime as the 2022 OASA District #13 Superintendent of the Year.
Hime has been an educator in Oklahoma for 37 years, 15 of those as superintendent. He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Hime received his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
He also serves on several education boards to include the Oklahoma State Superintendent’s School Superintendent Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
OASA recognizes administrators who demonstrate successful experience in educational administration. The award also gives emphasis on the district level and have made contributions to educational administration. | 2022-05-04T21:05:13Z | www.kswo.com | Kevin Hime receives Superintendent of the Year award | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/kevin-hime-receives-superintendent-year-award/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/kevin-hime-receives-superintendent-year-award/ |
Lawton Public Schools Administrator Stephanie Hime.(Lawton Public Schools)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Oklahoma Association for School Administrators (OASA) has announced Stephanie Hime as the 2022 OASA District #13 Central Office Administrator of the Year.
The award represents an administrators’ support and recognition for the contributions of others with continued professional and personal growth through appropriate training and experiences.
Hime has a Masters of Education Administration and a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
She began her career in 1988 in Woodward, before teaching elementary school at several Oklahoma and Texas districts.
“I am truly honored to have received this incredible award,” Mrs. she said. “A special thank you to our LPS team who rallied to ensure Lawton Public Schools was represented in Region 13, Central Office Administration. I am living my dream at Lawton Public Schools, serving and supporting entry-level educators is not only necessary but a rewarding endeavor. So blessed to play a small role in the success of Lawton Public Schools.” | 2022-05-04T21:05:26Z | www.kswo.com | OASA names Stephanie Hime Administrator of the Year | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/oasa-names-stephanie-hime-administrator-year/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/oasa-names-stephanie-hime-administrator-year/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Lawton Public Schools hosted a STEM Day for local 8th graders, in hopes of sparking interest, which could turn them into future engineers.
On Wednesday, at the Life Ready Center, students were introduced to all the different classes the Pre-Engineering Academy has to offer students.
They had a chance to do some hands on activities such as, aerospace dynamics, flying drones and robotics, which go way beyond what they learn in basic science.
Kadence McGillicuddy, a junior at Lawton High School, was recruited to go to this program when she was in middle school.
“STEM is not anything you get introduced to in middle school and elementary,” she said. “It’s not much that you get for STEM, basic science classes, and nothing. But when we get to have days like this we get introduced to robotics, they get introduced to Aerospace, they get introduce to VR, it’s all very exciting.”
She is interning for the Academy, to become an electrical and aerospace engineer. | 2022-05-04T22:36:00Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton Public Schools middle schoolers participate in STEM Day | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/lawton-public-schools-middle-schoolers-participate-stem-day/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/lawton-public-schools-middle-schoolers-participate-stem-day/ |
Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry continues to feed those in Lawton after it opens the doors of their forever home.
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - String Ministries and Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry received a semi-truck delivery Wednesday morning with 24 pallets full of non-perishable food and household items sent from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City.
Part of the delivery to Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry was also loaded into trucks to take to Unitarian Universalist Church on Gore to help supply resources for their blessing box.
Both Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry and String Ministries of Lawton will be able to use these donated food and household items to aid them in their missions to assist financially struggling and homeless families with basic needs like providing food, shelter, and establishing financial independence.
There is about 35,000 pounds of non-perishable food items which will go to help many families in the Lawton area.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is increasing its efforts to provide food for those in need since the COVID-19 pandemic, national food shortages and other natural disasters.
Missionaries and local leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were there to help unload and stack the boxes of food for storage and delivery to String Ministries’ Blessing Box.
Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry relies on volunteers and donations and opportunities to help can be found on the JustServe.org website. | 2022-05-04T22:36:29Z | www.kswo.com | Semi-truck delivers donated food to Hungry Hearts Feeding Ministry, String Ministries | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/semi-truck-delivers-donated-food-hungry-hearts-feeding-ministry-string-ministries/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/semi-truck-delivers-donated-food-hungry-hearts-feeding-ministry-string-ministries/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - We’re hearing from a grieving couple whose son’s remains were found at Cameron University last year.
Tina and Gregory Pufall are searching for answers about the death of Tommy Alexander White, and now, say they’re victims of fraud.
The skull of 33-year-old White was found on Cameron University property in March 2021, but according to his mother, his cause of death is still unknown.
She said there wasn’t enough of his body recovered for the medical examiner to come to a conclusion.
“I want to know what happened to him, of course, and how he got there,” Tina said. “I believe somebody did something to him and put him there because he did not like that area, so I know he wouldn’t have went over there.”
He’d been torn apart by wild animals.
Tina said it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Alex to go weeks without any contact, but he always came back.
She said she last spoke to him in January 2021--a couple of months before his remains were found.
She’s devastated that his three children will have to grow up without Alex and may never find out what happened to him.
“He was very respectful,” Tina said. “He was the last person to sit down to eat. He was the last person to get in the car. He was just a very respectful person, and he loved golf. He loved kids. He has three kids he loves them more than anything in the world.”
And as they continue to come to grips with his passing, they’re now dealing with another issue that is affecting his burial.
Tina and her husband say they received a letter from the Lawton Police Department that they may be the victims of a crime related to a fraudulent notary.
Last year, LPD told 7NEWS a man named Devon Dunham was trying to fraudulently gain homes in a neighborhood in 900 blocks between 34th and 37th Street.
One of those homes is owned by Tina and Gregory.
She said they can’t take out a loan on the home because of the situation.
“I can’t even bury my son,” Tina said. “I can’t even get a loan because you messed that up for me, and there’s other people that probably need that too.”
Dunham is accused of false personation of notary and is set to go to trial June 6th.
Tina and Gregory said Dunham sent a threatening letter, stating that he is “filthy rich” and will charge them rent unless she takes down a social media post she made about the situation.
“It took us like 25 years to pay for this house,” Tina said. “That’s a lot of years. You get to a point to where you’re finally mortgage free and then this happens. It’s just unbelievable.”
According to Tina, officials won’t sign over the home until Dunham is sentenced for the crime.
If you have information about this case, you can leave an anonymous tip with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation by calling 800-522-8017. | 2022-05-05T00:06:54Z | www.kswo.com | Parents speak out after son’s remains are identified in Lawton | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/parents-speak-out-after-sons-remains-are-identified-lawton/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/parents-speak-out-after-sons-remains-are-identified-lawton/ |
Women’s conference will be held this weekend
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A conference on African American women and their professional experiences will be held this weekend.
The conference is set for this Saturday, May 7 at Union Baptist Church in Lawton.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., while the conference itself begins at 9 a.m.
Ten dollar donations will be taken at the door.
Here to talk to us about the UBC 2022 Women’s Conference is Pastors Shelia and Willie Tiller. | 2022-05-05T03:38:29Z | www.kswo.com | Women’s conference will be held this weekend | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/womens-conference-will-be-held-this-weekend/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/04/womens-conference-will-be-held-this-weekend/ |
Stoney Snider is sentenced to 10 years with the Department of Corrections after fatal crash.(Comanche County Detention Center)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A Lawton man convicted in a 2019 deadly crash has been sentenced.
Stoney Snider was was sentenced to serve 10 years with the Department of Corrections.
In April 2019, he had a seizure while driving, which caused him to crash into a home.
His wife died due to injuries sustained from the crash.
Snider told police he knew he should not have been driving at the time. | 2022-05-05T03:38:56Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton man sentenced in fatal crash | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/05/lawton-man-sentenced-fatal-crash/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/05/lawton-man-sentenced-fatal-crash/ |
Dairy Queen in Lawton will host Family Fun Night on Tuesday, May 10.(Facebook)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A fast food chain is hosting a community event next week.
Lawton Dairy Queen will host Family Fun Night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10.
The event will feature food and fun for people of all ages.
DJ Suave and magician John Pansze as well as mime face painters are also making an appearance at the event.
The event is hosted by General Manage and U.S. Army Veteran Rod Moore. | 2022-05-06T02:07:33Z | www.kswo.com | Restaurant in Lawton hosts Family Fun Night | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/05/restaurant-lawton-hosts-family-fun-night/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/05/restaurant-lawton-hosts-family-fun-night/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Calling all artists and art lovers, too!
The annual Arts for All Festival kicked off today and lasts throughout the weekend.
There’s something for everyone, from finger-licking good food to Oklahoma wine and lots of art, photography, woodworking, and jewelry.
Festival Chairman Ronda Norrell said she is very excited that its finally coming back to Lawton after being canceled the past two years.
She encourages everyone to come out.
After a couple-year hiatus because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Arts for All Festival is back in full swing at Shepler Park in Lawton.
”We canceled the show 2020 and so we were down 2020 and 2021 now were back,” Norrell said. “So I want you to see the back of my shirt, can I turn around ‘The Buzz is back’ were back.”
A new feature at the festival is the Lawton Farmer’s Market, which opened earlier this year.
Norrell said the building will be a weekend home to a wine garden and a stage area for entertainment.
“Were lucky to have that facility, were lucky to have the use,” she said. “Were using it as you can see when you’re walking around. It’s a wonderful building, it’s a wonderful thing for the city to have. And for events like this, for festivals to be able to use this Hubb and get eclectic and power right here.”
Ninety artists will showcase their fine art, photography, pottery, sculptures, paintings, and jewelry.
Each year, Arts for All features an artist, and this year that is Randy Jones.
He said he has waited a long time for this and he’s excited for his work to be on display for so many people.
“You know normally there are 70 to 80 people that show up here every year,” Jones said. “And to be selected as the featured artist for the next year, I think is pretty special.”
He is a wildlife photographer, who is very passionate about photography and the arts.
Many people wonder where Jones takes his photos.
”They think I am from Wyoming or New Mexico and I say ‘no’ probably 95 percent of my photos and what I do is from right here in Oklahoma,” he said.
Jones explained his photos come with a lot of work and diligence.
Jones said, he actually waited and watched animals for two days so they could feel comfortable with him.
He’s proud to have Oklahoma as his inspiration to capture beautiful moments, and also grateful that Lawton truly supports the arts.
”I’ve been to other cities and done other shows, but Arts for All is pretty special,” Jones said. “They like the art, the people that run the show are very friendly and work with you. It’s just really a blessing, this is my favorite show. I consider it my home show.”
The Arts for All Festival started Friday, May 6, and will continue throughout the weekend.
This is happening at Shepler Park in Lawton on Gore Boulevard and 5th Street.
This event is completely free to the public. | 2022-05-07T01:02:48Z | www.kswo.com | City of Lawton invites community to Arts for All Festival | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/city-lawton-invites-community-arts-all-festival/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/city-lawton-invites-community-arts-all-festival/ |
Parents, students participate in color run
FORT SILL, Okla. (KSWO) - Kids and parents at Freedom Elementary School are raising money to support the teachers at their school.
And they’re doing that in the most colorful way possible.
Freedom’s 3rd annual color run got off to a running start Friday afternoon, after the brakes were put on last year’s plans due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
The school’s PTA hosts the event every year to teach children how important it is to stay healthy, but have fun with it.
“Every grade level has a certain amount of laps that they’re supposed to run,” Mikel Shanklin, from Freedom Elementary, said. “We have our applause unit here today, helping with the color. So Fort Sill is playing a big part in this as well.”
Everyone there was encouraged to wear white, because colored powder was thrown on their shirts as they ran their laps, so they have a souvenir of the run.
Shanklin said the kids have been looking forward to this event all year. | 2022-05-07T01:03:10Z | www.kswo.com | Parents, students participate in color run | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/parents-students-participate-color-run/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/parents-students-participate-color-run/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Friday, May 6, was Traffic Safety Day in Oklahoma, and students at the Great Plains Technology Center got refresher on all the things not to do while on the road.
Students visited several different stations, including a texting and driving and drinking and driving station, with the use of drunk goggles.
There was also a rollover simulator and an ATV safety station.
Challenge Oklahoma has been around since the 1980′s, and it originally started as a program to bring awareness to the dangers of getting behind the wheel while drunk.
That focus, has since shifted, as more and more teens take the the road, with a phone in their hand.
“We give kids a license at a young age, and we don’t really talk to them about driving,” Linda Terrell, organizer at Oklahoma Challenge, said. “They’re going to be transportation consumers for the rest of their lives. We have got to teach them the importance of focusing on driving. Sometimes driving seems to be the distraction, we’re doing so many things in our car. So, we have to take moments. This is probably the most important thing they can have and talk about all year long.”
Terrell said they included an ATV safety station this year, because Oklahoma is leading the country in the amount of deadly ATV and side by side accidents. | 2022-05-07T01:03:22Z | www.kswo.com | Traffic Safety Day comes to Great Plains Technology Center | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/traffic-safety-day-comes-great-plains-technology-center/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/traffic-safety-day-comes-great-plains-technology-center/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Both Walters Fire Department and Volunteer Fire Departments are coming together to support one of their own, Dillon Padgett, who was injured in December with a benefit dinner next week.
The event will take place at Walters Fire Department on Tuesday, May 10.
There will be a pulled pork dinner, complete with chips and a drink; however, they will only be serving to-go plates.
It’s starting at 5 p.m. and is expected to last until supplies run out.
The address to their Department is 121 East Colorado Street and attendees can park on the southside of Colorado street and walk-up, or drive thru on the west side of the station.
All funds raised from the benefit dinner will go to Padgett and his family, to help offset the costs of his medical expenses.
The dinner is by donation only. | 2022-05-07T01:03:29Z | www.kswo.com | Walters fire fighters will host benefit dinner next week | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/walters-fire-fighters-will-host-benefit-dinner-next-week/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/06/walters-fire-fighters-will-host-benefit-dinner-next-week/ |
Du'Vonta Lampkin is found dead at an Airbnb in Dallas.(Facebook)
DALLAS, Texas (KSWO) - A former OU Football player was shot and killed in Texas earlier this week.
Du’Vonta Lampkin, 25, was found suffering from a gunshot wound while staying at an Airbnb in Dallas.
Investigators said Lampkin was staying there while waiting to move into his new apartment.
They also said some of his possessions appeared to have been missing from the scene.
Dallas Police are currently investigating the case as a homicide.
Lampkin was OU’s Defensive Tackle who played between 2015 and 2018.
After playing for OU, he signed with the Tennessee Titans for a short period. | 2022-05-07T03:32:03Z | www.kswo.com | Former OU Football player killed in Texas | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/07/former-ou-football-player-killed-texas/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/07/former-ou-football-player-killed-texas/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Arts For All Festival is continuing in downtown Lawton this weekend at Shepler Park.
There’s entertainment for the whole family, including live music and dancing, food trucks, a wine garden, a Children’s Craft Tent and other artist booths.
For two years, the festival was canceled due to coronavirus.
Committee member Kaley Patterson-Dorsey said with Lawton-Fort Sill being a transient community, the festival provides military members and their families with an opportunity to learn more about the city.
“When they come to a festival like this, they really get to interact with the people of Lawton,” Patterson-Dorsey said. “They really get to see what Lawton’s all about. Togetherness, supporting the arts community, so that’s really important and we’re so, so happy to be back. We’ve had a lot of citizens come and tell us that they’re happy for us to be back.”
Scott Smith is a teacher at the Life Ready Center who’s organizing the Children’s Crafts Tent, where parents can bring kids to work on different projects like magnets, construction paper flower bouquets and Mother’s Day cards.
This year’s theme is Adventures in Art.
“Art gives them different avenues to think outside of the box and solve problems in a way that maybe standardized testing robs them of, so they can go, they can make art. They can make really important decisions about their art and give them a sense of ownership,” Smith said.
Smith’s booth will be open again Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Arts For All supports its member groups including the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, Lawton Community Theatre, Lawton Fort Sill Art Council, Wichita Wildlight Photographic Society, and Lawton Pro Musica.
The festival will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. | 2022-05-08T02:38:52Z | www.kswo.com | Arts For All Festival continues on Saturday in downtown Lawton | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/08/arts-all-festival-continues-saturday-downtown-lawton/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/08/arts-all-festival-continues-saturday-downtown-lawton/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Lawton Fire Department was called out to a house fire Monday morning.
The house is at the corner of 16th and Irwin and crews were called out around 4:30 a.m.
According to our photographer on scene, he was told that the house was vacant, and that the cause is still under investigation.
When we get new information we’ll be sure to pass it a long. | 2022-05-09T14:07:18Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton Fire Department battles vacant house fire | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lawton-fire-department-battles-vacant-house-fire/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lawton-fire-department-battles-vacant-house-fire/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Comanche County Memorial Hospital’s OB-GYN clinic is the only place in southwest Oklahoma offering a new procedure that provides relief for women suffering from uterine fibroids. Dr. Jose Meza, the Chief of OB at CCMH, said it’s called the Acessa procedure. It’s a minimally invasive and uterine-sparing treatment alternative.
“It allows us to treat the fibroids without making an incision into the uterus,” he said. “We are using radiofrequency to ablate the fibroids to get the fibroids to shrink up on their own. It can get them to shrink up, gets them to go away, and keep them from having to have a hysterectomy.”
Dr. Meza said they’re one of only three hospitals in Oklahoma offering it.
“It is a minimally invasive treatment for fibroids,” he said. “Fibroids are one of the most common reasons that patients come to see us. They can cause pain and bleeding issues.”
He said fibroids tend to run in families. 70 to 80 percent of women will experience uterine fibroids by the age of 50.
“I would say about 1/2 of patients who have heavy bleeding to pelvic pain issues have uterine fibroids,” Dr. Meza said.
Dr. Meza said many people find out they have it after visiting their OB-GYN or after going to their primary care doctor about their symptoms. He said they’re excited to have this new procedure, but still have the option to use their Da Vinci surgical robot to remove fibroids, or preform hysterectomies and myomectomies as needed. It’s all about giving women more options.
“A hysterectomy obviously solves the problem,” Dr. Meza said. “You get rid of the uterus, and you get rid of the problem, but there are many patients who are not ready for that because maybe they’re still wanting to have children. Maybe the fibroids are interfering with their ability to have children.”
He said the benefits of Acessa include returning home from the hospital on the same day of the procedure, lower blood loss compared to hysterectomy, and a quicker recovery time. Patients can return to work in four to five days.
“If it’s something they think that fits them, they know that they’re not ready for a hysterectomy, and they want some other treatment option, and they’ve just been told ‘this is something you have to live with. It’s not cancer. Eventually, menopause will come.’ Well, if they want some sort of other treatment option but aren’t ready for a hysterectomy, this is something they can acquire about,” he said.
Dr. Meza said you can call CCMH’s OB-GYN clinic, or your primary care doctor, to get a referral for this procedure. He says they’ll then do an evaluation to make sure you’re a candidate for Acessa. | 2022-05-09T14:07:24Z | www.kswo.com | Medwatch: CCMH offers new procedure to treat uterine fibroids | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/medwatch-ccmh-offers-new-procedure-treat-uterine-fibroids/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/medwatch-ccmh-offers-new-procedure-treat-uterine-fibroids/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Lawton Council of the Blind is dedicated to improving the lives of blind and visually impaired Oklahomans.
And for the fourth year in a row, Cabo Taco and No Name Pizza are hosting an all weekend fundraiser to help support the council’s needs.
The event will be from May 13 through 15 and 15 percent of all sales will go directly to the council.
Fundraisers help them continue to improve the lives of blind and visually impaired residents of Lawton through scholarships and other support.
For more details on the fundraiser call Cabo Taco at (580) 476-6100 or No Name Pizza at (580) 771-4343. | 2022-05-09T21:47:24Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton Council of the Blind hosts fundraiser for community | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lawton-council-blind-hosts-fundraiser-community/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lawton-council-blind-hosts-fundraiser-community/ |
Altus police investigate after one person is shot.(KSWO)
ALTUS, Okla. (KSWO) - Altus police are investigating a pair of weekend shootings, one of which sent a person to the hospital.
On Friday, police were called to the hospital a little before midnight.
There, they found the victim, who had a gunshot wound to the leg.
He was later flown to Oklahoma City for treatment.
They said the victim would not cooperate with the investigation.
At this time they don’t know what led to him being shot.
And on Saturday, police responded to a late night shots fired call near a home on East Nona.
No one was hurt and evidence recovered from the scene. | 2022-05-09T23:17:17Z | www.kswo.com | Altus police investigate after victim is shot | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/altus-police-investigate-after-victim-is-shot/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/altus-police-investigate-after-victim-is-shot/ |
Mostly clear sky conditions expected
By Josh Reiter and Noel Rehm
Our first of two lunar eclipses that you’ll be able to see from Texoma in 2022 will be this Sunday. Also known as a Blood Moon, due to its reddish appearance. The Earth will be directly between the Sun and the Moon during the eclipse, casting a shadow that the Moon will pass through as it moves behind the Earth.
The eclipse will start at 8:32 pm Central, when the Moon will begin moving through Earth’s penumbra, or outer shadow. While still having the appearance of a full moon, it will look slightly darker as the Earth begins occluding sunlight from reaching the Moon. By 9:27 pm, the Moon will start moving into the Earth’s umbra, or inner shadow, as the partial eclipse begins. This is the stage when, from the Moon’s perspective, the Earth moves completely in front of the Sun and the Moon starts turning red. The Moon won’t turn red at once, instead transitioning from left to right as the Moon moves completely into Earth’s umbra. By 10:29 pm, the entirety of the Moon will have orbited behind the Earth, causing the red tint that we associate with a lunar eclipse, beginning the total lunar eclipse. At 11:11 pm, the Moon will reach its maximum point in the eclipse, and by 11:53 pm the total eclipse will come to an end. Following this, the Moon will transition out of the Earth’s umbra and back into its penumbra, as the reddish shadow will retreat across the surface of the Moon from left to right. At 12:55 am early Monday morning, the partial eclipse will come to an end, and by 1:50 am, the lunar eclipse comes to an end with the Moon exiting the Earth’s penumbra as the Moon returns to it’s bright, white, and classic full moon appearance.
Timeline of the Lunar eclipse on Sunday night(KSWO)
Current forecasts show that Sunday night looks to be mostly clear, so nearly perfect viewing conditions if you plan on staying up to witness this celestial event. The Moon will rise in the east-southeast and move across the southern sky, so be sure to look in that direction to see it.
The explanation for the Moon’s reddish hue during a total Lunar eclipse actually lies in Earth’s atmosphere. While the Earth will completely cover the Sun from the Moon’s perspective, rays of sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere will wrap around the Earth and shine on the Moon. These rays exit Earth’s atmosphere as a deep reddish color due to the scattering of light. As light rays from the Sun shine through the layers of Earth’s atmosphere, they disturb molecules within the atmosphere, causing the rays to scatter. The angle of the light rays hitting the Earth’s atmosphere and how much of the atmosphere these rays pass through can determine the color of the sky we see. Higher energy rays with shorter wave lengths, like those that produce the colors blue and purple on the light spectrum, scatter more than lower energy rays with longer wavelengths, like the those that produce the colors orange and red on the light spectrum. This is the reason why the sky is blue when the sun is overhead and appears red and orange when the sun is lower in the sky around sunrise and sunset, as the light rays have more atmosphere to travel through and therefore scatter more, leaving only the lower-energy wavelengths. Since the light rays that reach the Moon during a total lunar eclipse have to wrap around the Earth and pass through a lot of its atmosphere, it creates huge amounts of scattering, leaving the rays that reach the Moon a deep color of red. This is what causes the Blood Moon appearance, and if you want to think about it in a different way, the Moon’s appearance during a lunar eclipse is a culmination of every single sunrise and sunset across the Earth.
The next, and final, lunar eclipse we will see this year in Texoma will be during the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 8th just a couple hours before sunrise. | 2022-05-09T23:17:36Z | www.kswo.com | Blood Moon - Total Lunar Eclipse visible in Texoma on Sunday night | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lunar-eclipse-visible-texoma-sunday-night/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lunar-eclipse-visible-texoma-sunday-night/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - City of Lawton Parks and Recreation crews have been cleaning the HC King Center due to vandalism that occurred over the weekend.
The center was closed on May 9 after vandals accessed the center due to one of the exterior doors not being closed properly due to a cable caught in the door.
According to the City of Lawton, there were no signs of forced entry.
The vandals used all of the fire extinguishers throughout the center causing various areas to be covered in a yellow dust.
Nothing else in the center was damaged or stolen.
Parks and Recreation cleaned most of the yellow dust on Monday, May 9, and will continue with thorough cleaning efforts on Tuesday, May 10.
Eisenhower High School Student Council meets with Mayor Booker - clipped version | 2022-05-10T00:49:37Z | www.kswo.com | City of Lawton closes HC King Center after vandalism | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/city-lawton-closes-hc-king-center-after-vandalism/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/city-lawton-closes-hc-king-center-after-vandalism/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Eisenhower High School Student Council members learned what it means to be a leader, from the leader of Lawton, Mayor Stan Booker.
The students did a presentation on Monday, May 9, and Booker talked about the importance of building reputation with the community they represent.
Student Council Member Konner Hulbert said he didn’t realize, before listening to Booker, there’s more to government than simply going to City Hall and voting on issues, but the importance of building relationships outside of the building is what matters.
“The biggest thing I saw was the true importance of building a relationship with other people,” he said. “If you can build a relationship with your group instead of being the leader or being somewhat part of the group if you can form an actual bond with them you can accomplish a lot.”
Hulbert said he wants to use what he learned next year when he assumes the role of class vice president. | 2022-05-10T00:49:43Z | www.kswo.com | Eisenhower High School Student Council meets with Mayor Booker | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/eisenhower-high-school-student-council-meets-with-mayor-booker/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/eisenhower-high-school-student-council-meets-with-mayor-booker/ |
Leslie Powell Gallery presents work from Don Holladay and Corazon Watkins.(Leslie Powell Gallery)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Leslie Powell Foundation Gallery has announced the opening of two art exhibitions, beginning with an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 14.
Don Holladay will present an exploration of Oklahoma’s past in Prairie Weather and the General Store. The exhibit is a personal journey back to his family heritage, which he is descended from farmers who ran a general store in the Oklahoma territory prior to statehood. Holladay began painting in the 1970s. His work has appeared in numerous solo shows, and has been selected for state, regional and international juried competitions.
Character: Revealed showcases the art of Norman resident, Corazon Watkins. She holds an MFA of Fine Art from the University of Oklahoma. Watkins’ work has garnered multiple awards and has been a featured artist-in-residence stateside and abroad.
Leslie Powell Gallery presents work from Corazon Watkins and Don Holladay.(KSWO)
These exhibitions will open with an opening reception where light refreshments will be served.
This event is free to attend and open to the public.
After the opening reception, both exhibitions will be available for viewing during regular gallery hours through Friday, June 24.
The gallery is open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. | 2022-05-10T00:49:49Z | www.kswo.com | Leslie Powell Gallery opens two art exhibitions this weekend | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/leslie-powell-gallery-opens-two-art-exhibitions-this-weekend/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/leslie-powell-gallery-opens-two-art-exhibitions-this-weekend/ |
Abraham Curtis faces Conspiracy to Commit Child Stealing charge.(Comanche County Detention Center)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A man who Lawton police said helped a woman steal and hide a 3-year-old from the child’s father has been charged.
Abraham Curtis is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Child Stealing, along with a misdemeanor count of Obstructing an Officer.
Investigators said in late April, officers went to Curtis’ home after determining the child and her mother were there, but Curtis denied that she was in the home, and refused to let officers inside.
But last Thursday, officers returned with SWAT and U.S. Marshals to search the home.
Inside they found the child, hidden underneath a bed.
Curtis reportedly was uncooperative with authorities during the search, declining to answer when asked if anyone else was in the home.
He was arrested and is being held on a $25,000 bond. | 2022-05-10T03:48:02Z | www.kswo.com | Man charged in child stealing case | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/man-charged-child-stealing-case/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/man-charged-child-stealing-case/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Native American students across the area are looking forward to being able to display their proud heritage as they walk across high school graduation stages in Oklahoma.
State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister released a letter earlier this year reaffirming the state’s support of these students and their religious freedom to do so.
“It feels very empowering,” Eisenhower High School senior Liliana Kester said. “I am very happy to be able to go to a school that acknowledges our Native students and allows us to be able to embrace our culture and show other students that we’re still here, we’re still getting our GPAs up, and doing everything we can.”
Kester said her older siblings have taken pride in showing off their traditional clothing when graduating from Oklahoma high schools the past few years and are happy that the district is continuing to encourage them.
Lawton Public Schools said they have always allowed Native regalia for the graduating Native seniors but its nice to have the State Superintendent’s backing.
“We had phone calls from parents and students and teachers stating that the students were wanting to do this,” Raylisha Stanley, Indian Education Liaison, said. “So we knew it was something that needed to be done, and even the tribes got involved, local tribes stating they would like that to happen too. So we worked together to make that happen altogether.”
In 2020, local state representative Trey Caldwell tried to get protection for these students codified into state law. But after passing the House unanimously, the bill was stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
But even without official state law protecting their rights, leaders in the Comanche Nation said they want their children to show their Native American pride. One of these leaders was Vice Chairman of the Comanche Nation Cornel Pewewardy.
“I would like to advocate for our students, so, therefore, we got together putting a template together then we got it vetted and endorsed by the Comanche nation and got to writing on the resolution and then the bill in itself, so it took him to present it to the state legislature,” he said.
Caldwell said he hopes to try again in the future to get his law passed, but until then hopes future graduating classes will continue showing their support to Native American students.
Due to Caldwell’s Law not being passed in 2020, each school district has the ability to handle the situation with their own rules and guidelines. If you have questions about your school’s policy, contact your local school’s administration. | 2022-05-10T03:48:08Z | www.kswo.com | Native American regalia allowed at high school graduation | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/native-american-regalia-allowed-high-school-graduation/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/native-american-regalia-allowed-high-school-graduation/ |
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will soon be accessible across Oklahoma.(COURTESY)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KSWO) - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced Tuesday, May 10, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is investing $2.5 million in federal pandemic relief funds to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to all 77 counties in Oklahoma.
The OSDE will provide a 1:1 match of all funds raised by local community partners, ensuring as many as 264,000 Oklahoma children from birth to 5 years old have books mailed to their homes every month.
The Imagination Library’s funding structure centers on community partnerships.
Worldwide, 2,000 affiliate programs enroll families and raise program costs of $2.10 per book per month.
With the OSDE’s match, each Oklahoma affiliate will be responsible for just $1.05 per child per month.
Thirteen affiliates are operating in Oklahoma, serving more than 4,000 of the state’s eligible children under 5, with another six affiliates in process.
With local community affiliates, the program has gifted over 178 million books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and The Republic of Ireland.
The Imagination Library has mailed more than 178 million free books to children across three continents. Oklahoma is the 12th state to commit to achieving statewide coverage.
Children enrolled in an active affiliate are also eligible for the OSDE matching funds.
Additional information about statewide expansion of the Imagination Library of Oklahoma can be found here. | 2022-05-10T22:11:00Z | www.kswo.com | Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will serve Oklahoma | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/dolly-partons-imagination-library-will-serve-oklahoma/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/dolly-partons-imagination-library-will-serve-oklahoma/ |
Weak front stalls out this weekend bringing little-to-no relief in heat
For tonight, a Mesoscale Convective Storm System (MCS) develops in the Texas Panhandle and moves from west to east across parts of Texoma between 8:00 pm - 2:00 am. The best chance for measurable rainfall and severe storms will be west of an Elk City-Altus-Vernon line. The main storm threats include damaging wind gusts up to 60-80 mph and hail up to the size of golf balls, although localized flooding is possible. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 60s.
Any lingering showers or rumbles of thunder should be gone well before sunrise with clouds gradually clearing taking place into the afternoon. Temperatures will top out in the low 90s with feels-like temperatures in the mid 90s. Winds will be out of the south at 10-20 mph with higher wind gusts.
There will be a few embedded upper-level disturbances that will allow nearby clusters of storms to develop where some will have the tendency to drift into the area. On Thursday, an isolated strong-to-severe storm can’t be ruled out west of a New Cordell-Crowell-Guthrie line. However, the coverage of showers and storms will be very low.
The will be a weak front that will push into the area over the weekend and stall out. This keeps an isolated chance for a stray shower or storm before lifting back northward as a warm front throughout Sunday. | 2022-05-10T23:40:40Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Isolated rain chances later this week as we remain unseasonably warm and muggy | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/7news-first-alert-weather-isolated-rain-chances-later-this-week-we-remain-unseasonably-warm-muggy/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/10/7news-first-alert-weather-isolated-rain-chances-later-this-week-we-remain-unseasonably-warm-muggy/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The City of Lawton is bringing in an outside company to assess road conditions.
Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) has been around for a while, but it’s the first time the City is bringing this kind of technology to Lawton.
In a couple of weeks, residents will see them surveying streets all over town, according to Public Works Director Larry Wolcott.
“Overall we’re going to look at every road in town whether it’s a collector or a local street arterial street like Cache Road,” he said. “And it’ll give us a way to prioritize the repair of all of those roads.”
The company, IMS, uses cameras, lasers and other sensors to determine the severity of road conditions.
They’ll be looking for wear and tear, cracking, rutting and flood-prone areas.
IMS Lead Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS) Operator Tom Goodyear said the process will be simple and make things quicker.
“Will capture all the information at the same time and geo-tag it,” Goodyear said.
IMS President Kurt Kiefer explained what LCMS is.
“LCMS technology provides a continuous downward scan of the pavement surface. It allows us to objectively and repeatedly, identify and classify different types of cracking on the pavement surface,” he said.
Lawton’s Public Works Director Larry Wolcott said they plan to use this information to create a five-year plan for road construction.
“We’ll ultimately assign a pavement index to each road so that PCI will score. And we’ll use that score to rate the roads and put them on the priority list for repair. In the past, it’s just been a visual survey. Looking at it, that includes the opinion of that person looking at the road,” he said.
The project is being paid for through the street maintenance portion of the CIP,
Wolcott said the survey project with IMS will cost about $450,000. | 2022-05-11T04:17:52Z | www.kswo.com | City of Lawton partners with Infrastructure Management Services | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/city-lawton-partners-with-infrastructure-management-services/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/city-lawton-partners-with-infrastructure-management-services/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Spread The Word Ministries is transforming the face of STEM, one community at a time, by offering affordable and culturally relevant summer camps.
Registration is underway for the 2022 “I AM STEM” summer camp, hosted by Spread the Word Ministries.
It will take place June 6 through July 29, offering students affordable, culturally relevant and community-based enrichment.
Registration is $60 and covers the STEM box and materials and the full 4-week camp cost is $300.
More information, or to registration can be found here. | 2022-05-11T04:17:58Z | www.kswo.com | I AM STEM summer camp registration begins | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/i-am-stem-summer-camp-registration-begins/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/i-am-stem-summer-camp-registration-begins/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Tuesday evening, several members of the Lawton FFA chapter were honored during a banquet event.
The Lawton FFA Banquet was hosted by the Life Ready Center and was held in the Great Plains Coliseum’s Prairie Building.
There Chapter members celebrated the successes of the 2021-2022 school year, with awards handed out for those who went above and beyond for the chapter and the community.
Incoming Lawton FFA President Maddie Muller, is among those celebrating.
”It’s really fun to compete and come back each year to compete in a different contest and see how much you’ve grown,” she said. “FFA has provided me so many opportunities and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.”
Muller was named the national champion last fall for her agriscience fair project. | 2022-05-11T04:18:16Z | www.kswo.com | Members of Lawton FFA recognized at banquet | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/members-lawton-ffa-recognized-banquet/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/members-lawton-ffa-recognized-banquet/ |
Von Hawks Rising presents Rock 'n' Rides benefit concert.(Von Hawks Rising)
DUNCAN, Okla. (KSWO) - Von Hawks Rising, a local non-profit band, presents Rock ‘n’ Rides, a benefit concert and car show to raise money for children impacted by extreme illness or traumatic experiences.
The event will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Stephens County Fairgrounds.
The fundraiser will include a Kid’s Zone full of activities, vendors, food trucks, a car show and a concert.
“We are so excited for the Rock n Rides fundraising event. This is the second year we have hosted the event and it is growing. We have added vendor booths and more kids’ activities,” Von Hawks Rising Volunteer Events Coordinator Stephanie Gates said. “There is something for the whole family to enjoy. We hope everyone comes out for a very fun evening.”
The event is free for the public to attend.
The car show will continue until the conclusion of the concert at 8:15 p.m.
During the concert, Von Hawks Rising will announce the next family which be receiving a donation from fundraising efforts.
On-site registration for the car show is available the day of the event starting at 4:30 pm. Donations of any amount will be accepted for entry into the car show.
All makes, models and years of vehicles and motorcycles are welcome. Several awards are expected to be handed out.
There are also spots left for vendors to sign up.
Von Hawks Rising Inc is a 501c3 organization. This rock cover band’s main purpose is to help children and their families. Funds are raised through concert events, merchandise sales and donations. | 2022-05-11T05:50:52Z | www.kswo.com | Cars, music collide for community benefit concert | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/cars-music-collide-community-benefit-concert/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/cars-music-collide-community-benefit-concert/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Police are investigating a fatal stabbing in Lawton.
Emergency crews were called to a home on southwest Texas Avenue just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Officials have confirmed that two people were stabbed in the incident, and that one has died.
One person was transported to the hospital in emergency status, though her condition is unknown at this time. | 2022-05-11T21:55:25Z | www.kswo.com | One person dead after southwest Lawton stabbing | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/one-person-dead-after-southwest-lawton-stabbing/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/one-person-dead-after-southwest-lawton-stabbing/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Following multiple grassfires over the last few months, Comanche County Memorial Hospital held a workshop Wednesday, showing the best ways to deal with burn care.
CCMH set up a three-day workshop, to teach the basics of burn care, while improving their plans and policies for responding to a large scale disaster. | 2022-05-11T22:42:16Z | www.kswo.com | Burn victim workshop takes place at Comanche County Memorial Hospital | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/burn-victim-workshop-takes-place-comanche-county-memorial-hospital/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/burn-victim-workshop-takes-place-comanche-county-memorial-hospital/ |
City of Lawton will conduct vector control to eliminate mosquitoes.(KSWO)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - City of Lawton’s Drainage Maintenance Division will begin its vector control program.
The process, which uses low toxicity chemicals, will eliminant adult mosquitoes in the area. It will begin on May 23 and end on Sept. 23.
Fogging in various areas of town will take place from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.
A map can be found on the city’s website and when areas are expected to be completed.
Questions can be directed to City of Lawton’s Drainage Maintenance Division at (580) 581-3424. | 2022-05-11T22:42:22Z | www.kswo.com | City of Lawton will conduct vector control for mosquitoes | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/city-lawton-will-conduct-vector-control-mosquitoes/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/city-lawton-will-conduct-vector-control-mosquitoes/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - High food prices continue to cause issues for residents across the state.
The Lawton Board of Realtors is teaming up with Homeland-- to try and Feed the Need at the Lawton Area Food Bank-- with a Shop and Drop food drive.
The board will host a Feed the Need Shop and Drop food drive this Saturday, May 14.
It will take place in the Homeland parking lot on 67th and Cache from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
All proceeds will go to the Lawton Area Food Bank to help them prepare their stocks for summer vacation.
They encourage residents to bring non-perishable items such as canned meat, peanut butter and jelly and ramen noodles.
Monetary donations are also accepted. | 2022-05-11T22:42:34Z | www.kswo.com | Feed the Need food drive aims to help community | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/feed-need-food-drive-aims-help-community/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/feed-need-food-drive-aims-help-community/ |
Unseasonably warm weather pattern continues for the foreseeable future
For tonight, mostly clear with the chance for isolated storms mainly northwest of an Elk City-Childress line. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 60s and winds will be out of the southeast at 10-20 mph.
On Thursday, mostly sunny with highs topping out in the mid 90s. Elevated dew points will allow feels-like temperatures to get as high as 97-100 degrees. Winds will be out of the south at 10-20 mph with higher wind gusts. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible along a dry line positioned across the Texas Panhandle. One or two strong-to-severe storms can’t be ruled out with the main threats including hail up to the size of quarters and wind gusts up to 60 mph.
A weak front, surface low, and dry line on Friday will interact with the available moisture which could fire widely scattered storms across portions of Texoma during the afternoon and early evening. A few strong-to-severe storms are possible with the main threats including large hail and damaging wind gusts.
Looking ahead, unseasonably warm temperatures are expected to continue with highs warming into the mid-to-upper 90s each day. A few areas could experience triple digit heat on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. | 2022-05-12T00:16:03Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Isolated storms to end the workweek with quiet weekend ahead | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/7news-first-alert-weather-isolated-storms-end-workweek-with-quiet-weekend-ahead/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/7news-first-alert-weather-isolated-storms-end-workweek-with-quiet-weekend-ahead/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Across the country, health officials are celebrating Hospital and Nurses Week.
That includes Comanche County Memorial Hospital right here in Lawton.
Staff served lunch for the employee picnic Wednesday afternoon and showed appreciation to those who have worked 20 or more years at the hospital on Tuesday night.
Jayne Gallimore is a registered nurse who started her 45 year career at CCMH in pediatrics.
She’s also worked in the Cardiac Cath Lab and the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma.
In 2017, she saved a co-worker’s life when she acted quickly after noticing signs of a heart attack.
“I’ve had some wonderful doctors that I’ve gotten to work with, some wonderful people, and you know, lifetime friends, which I realized last night at the service,” Gallimore said. “There were so many people in that room that I’ve worked with for many, many years. It’s like my family away from my family.”
Gallimore plans to retire in June but isn’t ruling out coming back part-time to volunteer.
Celebrations for staff continue Thursday with carnival food and ice cream to wrap up the week on Friday. | 2022-05-12T00:16:16Z | www.kswo.com | CCMH shows appreciation for team during Hospital, Nurses Week | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/ccmh-shows-appreciation-team-during-hospital-nurses-week/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/ccmh-shows-appreciation-team-during-hospital-nurses-week/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Loved ones of inmates in the Lawton Correctional Facility are writing to the Department of Justice, calling for change when it comes to the facility’s safety and security policies.
It all started with Emily Shelton.
Her husband is an inmate at the Lawton Correctional Facility.
She started contacting families who have loved ones in the facility to take a stand.
Violence, stabbings, and murders.
Shelton said it happens too often at the Lawton Correctional Facility.
And not just to inmates. Correctional officers are in danger, too.
“This is my worst nightmare. It really is. My husband’s still got 17 years,” Shelton said. “My son’s doing a 25 year sentence. Only been in four years. This is my life. Every night I worry if I’m going to get woken up with a phone call that I don’t want.”
Shelton and others take part in a support group for those who have loved ones in the facility.
After officials at the facility wouldn’t take action, she started asking them to write letters to send to the DOJ, asking for an investigation into the facility’s practices and policies.
“We’re not saying everybody deserves to be out of prison. I mean, we’re realistic. There are some that don’t, but they still deserve to be treated like a human being. They’re taking their life away, taking them away from their family, making them do a sentence, being totally away from society,” Shelton said. “They’re already being punished. Don’t make it worse for them.”
In a statement to 7NEWS, the GEO group said, “For over two decades, we have safely and securely managed the Lawton Correctional Facility, providing high quality support services, including 24/7 access to healthcare and enhanced in-custody rehabilitation programming. We take the safety of those in our care, as well our staff and members of the community, with the utmost seriousness and strive to follow the highest levels of safety and security standards, including those set by the State of Oklahoma and the American Correctional Association. While we are unable to provide specific details regarding incidents that are under investigation, we work closely with the Office of Inspector General and appropriate law enforcement agencies with the respect to the circumstances surrounding such incidents.”
Farren Yust is mourning her 32-year-old fiancé Eduardo Deleon who was stabbed to death by fellow inmates in the Lawton Correctional Facility last month.
“Today is day number four of me not crying,” Yust said. “You know, I lost my best friend and my partner. It’s really hard. It’s a horrible thing for anybody to go through.”
She said it happened on April 8 and Deleon died on April 13 after being on life support for five days.
“So many people reached out to me, like a lady reached out to me letting me know her son was stabbed back in November and died,” Yust said. “Then I had another lady that messaged me that her brother had passed away in July last year. So many people it happens to. Just a week later, a lieutenant got stabbed in the back of the head. There’s no protection.”
Shelton said if the DOJ doesn’t intervene, Ignite Justice is prepared to file a civil suit against the Lawton Correctional Facility. | 2022-05-12T00:16:43Z | www.kswo.com | Non-profit calls on Lawton Correctional Facility to provide more protection for inmates, officers | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/non-profit-calls-lawton-correctional-facility-provide-more-protection-inmates-officers/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/non-profit-calls-lawton-correctional-facility-provide-more-protection-inmates-officers/ |
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority will become a state agency.(OMMA)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KSWO) - The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) will become an independent state agency starting this fall, after being under the Oklahoma State Department of Health for the last four years.
Starting November 1, the Governor of Oklahoma be responsible for appointing an executive director to OMMA, followed by a confirmation by the State Senate.
This, after Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1543, is an effort to allow OMMA to remain flexible to better and quicker meet the demands of the market.
In a statement by the bill’s author, State Senator Greg Treat said, the move will “give OMMA the flexibility it needs to effectively lead in all facets, including enforcing the laws set forth by the Legislature and investigating any violations.”
In addition to the new executive director’s duties, they will also be responsible for administrative rules and issuing agency orders. | 2022-05-12T00:16:49Z | www.kswo.com | Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority becomes state agency | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/oklahoma-medical-marijuana-authority-becomes-state-agency/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/oklahoma-medical-marijuana-authority-becomes-state-agency/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - After a meeting on May 10, Lawton City Council has voted to approve revised hours for community centers and the aquatics facilities.
H.C. King Center and Owens Multipurpose Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Meanwhile, Patterson Center will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The city also approved the centers to be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, but will not be implemented until staffing is available.
On Saturday, May 21, Municipal Pool will open with special hours for a Pool Splash Bash from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Regular hours will be from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Rentals for the pool can be made by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at (580) 581-3400.
Starting 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. starting Tuesday, May 31, wading pools and Clement Washington Sr. Splash Pad will be open Monday through Friday.
Community members can visit 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday the Elmer Thomas Splash Pad will. It’s season opening will be May 28. | 2022-05-12T00:16:56Z | www.kswo.com | Recreation, aquatic centers hours announced | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/recreation-aquatic-centers-hours-announced/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/11/recreation-aquatic-centers-hours-announced/ |
Unseasonably warm weather pattern continues with triple digit heat in the forecast
For tonight, partly cloudy with the chance for storms that develop off the dry line and approaching front to move into western parts of Texoma and weaken as they travel along I-40. The main threats for storms that become organized will be wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of quarters. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 60s. Winds will be out of the south at 10-15 mph.
On Friday, mostly sunny with highs topping out in the mid 90s. Winds will be out of the south and shift to the east at 5-15 mph. There will be a nearly stationary front draped across the area and this could provide enough lift to allow for storms to develop Friday afternoon and evening. However, there will be a conditional risk of severe weather as a strong cap will be in place. The best chance for storms to fire up will be when a shortwave trough moves overhead closer to sunset. There will be a lot of available atmospheric energy to help support large hail up to the size of quarters and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph. However, there will be weak deep layer shear (turning of the winds with height) that will make it tough for storms to become or remain organized.
The frontal boundary will remain draped across Texoma on Saturday, which could support an isolated storm or two with gusty winds and hail. Overall, the coverage of rain will be limited to areas along and just south of I-40. Temperatures will soar into the upper 90s on Sunday ahead of another weak front that will move into the areas Sunday night and Monday morning.
Looking ahead, an unseasonably warm weather pattern as a result of a large scale ridge with highs in the upper 90s and triple digits much of next week. | 2022-05-13T00:47:55Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Rain coverage low, but storms that develop could be strong-to-severe through Friday | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/12/7news-first-alert-weather-rain-coverage-low-storms-that-develop-could-be-strong-to-severe-through-friday/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/12/7news-first-alert-weather-rain-coverage-low-storms-that-develop-could-be-strong-to-severe-through-friday/ |
MEDICINE PARK, Okla. (KSWO) - Medicine Park’s Fire Chief is being recognized with a Life Saving Award for heroic actions earlier this year.
One morning in late March, Chief David McCoy was paged to Medicine Creek, where a man’s vehicle was submerged and sinking.
With rescue equipment already in his truck, McCoy rushed there and swam out.
He and another first responder used rope to pull the car closer to the bank, then broke out a window to release the driver.
McCoy said the award doesn’t just belong to him but to his entire team.
“I’ve seen our guys pull people out of burning houses, out of wrecked cars, off the sides of mountains and never get a bit of recognition for it, but that’s what we do because this is our community and these are our friends and family out here most of the time, so when we do things like this, we do it for the community and the people around us,” McCoy said.
The driver survived because of McCoy’s quick thinking and the firefighters who were able to perform CPR on the way to the hospital.
He said this is just one example of why it’s so important to support your local fire department.
“There’s no one to respond if you don’t have these guys,” McCoy said. “If you have to wait for an ambulance to come out of Lawton or some other city, it takes 20 to 30 minutes. These people live in these communities, they care about their communities, and they need the support of the community.”
To his surprise, McCoy earned a Life Saving Award at a city council meeting for his courageous actions. | 2022-05-13T00:48:01Z | www.kswo.com | Medicine Park Fire Chief receives Life Saving Award | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/12/medicine-park-fire-chief-receives-life-saving-award/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/12/medicine-park-fire-chief-receives-life-saving-award/ |
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KSWO) - Governor Kevin Stitt’s nomination to lead the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has been approved as Commissioner of Health.
Keith Reed has been acting as interim chief of the agency since October and has worked in various other roles in the OSDH for nearly 20 years.
In a statement, the state’s Secretary of Mental Health praised Reed’s confirmation, said “I have had the pleasure of watching the agency go through a positive transformation with Keith at the helm, and I have no doubt his 20 years of experience in public health has prepared him to continue that great work as the new Commissioner.” | 2022-05-13T03:48:27Z | www.kswo.com | Keith Reed appointed to Commissioner of Health | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/keith-reed-appointed-commissioner-health/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/keith-reed-appointed-commissioner-health/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Governor Kevin Stitt has approved major updates to the Landlord-Tenant Act this week. The changes are aimed at improving living conditions for renters.
New updates to the Act will give renters a faster turnaround time when needing essential repairs to the space they’re living in.
In the modified law, tenants may notify their landlord in writing about what repairs are needed to the property, at the landlord’s expense. And after 14 days, if the landlord fails to comply, the tenant may then complete the work and be reimbursed up to the amount equal of a month’s rent, if the repairs are vital to health or safety.
Since the late 70′s, tenants have only been able to deduct $100 worth of repairs to their rent payment.
Brad Robinson, a local renter, said he appreciates the new updates.
“I think it helps out quite a bit, considering if you have a thousand dollar rent and say they don’t want to fix your furnace and your furnace comes out to $1,500,” Robinson said. “There’s a thousand rent you don’t have to pay and you can still get your stuff fixed.”
Property Management Owner Terry Bryant said has been a landlord for a very long time and he also sees the benefits of the new updates.
“It’s perfectly fine by me, what they’ve done is tweaked the law a little bit,” he said. “My opinion of the Oklahoma landlord Tenant acts is that it a very well written, probably one of the best in the country. It looks out for Landlords, it looks out for tenants.”
Robinson believes this change is long overdue, but are happy it will help others in the future.
“So I mean, if that would have been in effect, then I would have been able to use that, a little more eagerly considering I did pay about $1,200 to fix stuff up in it just to begin with,” he said.
House Bill 3409 will go into effect on November 1, 2022.
The full language of the bill can be found here. | 2022-05-13T03:48:34Z | www.kswo.com | Oklahoma governor approves Landlord-Tenant Act updates | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/oklahoma-governor-approves-landlord-tenant-act-updates/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/oklahoma-governor-approves-landlord-tenant-act-updates/ |
Governor Kevin Stitt announces lawsuit against Swadley's Bar-B-Q.(COURTESY)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - More information about the contract between the state and a now-controversial barbecue restaurant has been released.
A state watchdog says the contract with Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen cost Oklahoma taxpayers over $12 million more than originally planned.
The deal focused on the construction and operation of Swadley’s restaurants at six state parks across Oklahoma.
The state has since canceled the contract, and Governor Kevin Stitt’s pick to lead the state’s Tourism agency resigned. | 2022-05-13T03:48:40Z | www.kswo.com | Swadley’s contract found to cost tax payers millions | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/swadleys-contract-found-cost-tax-payers-millions/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/swadleys-contract-found-cost-tax-payers-millions/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Life Ready Center (LRC) in Lawton hosted a special art event this evening to showcase the talents of local, young artists.
The inaugural Student Artist Exhibit was held in the LRC Art Gallery.
Pieces from various students at the center were put on display, and some were available for purchase.
It was an event that took months of preparation.
But for the young artists, such as senior Andrew Cervantes, it was time and effort well spent.
“It felt very surprising, because I’m used to going to class, and people are just doing their own thing -- phone, writing, their own thing -- so it really surprised me how many people did this,” he said.
And in addition to the student gallery, Thursday night’s event had a dedication of five student-created murals made for Comanche County Memorial Hospital. | 2022-05-13T04:36:28Z | www.kswo.com | Art show at Life Ready Center exhibits talent | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/art-show-life-ready-center-exhibits-talent/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/art-show-life-ready-center-exhibits-talent/ |
CHATTANOOGA, Okla. (KSWO) - Changes are coming for ranchers and farmers who run smaller operations.
Over-the-counter livestock medications will require written prescriptions from veterinarians by 2023.
Right now, ranchers can simply walk into a farm supply store and pick up antibiotics they need to treat livestock and poultry, but by 2023, the Food and Drug Administration’s new guidelines will require them to take an extra step.
According to Chattanooga rancher Isaac Fisher, the change is likely to drive up cost for those in the ranching industry.
“Any time you’re dealing with the health of a living organism, you don’t have extra time to waste, so if you don’t have access to that, you have to go get a script and it’s on the weekend, well then it’s a possibility we could lose cattle over it,” Fisher said.
The FDA’s concern is that antibiotic-resistant bacteria could develop more quickly from the widespread use of certain antibiotics that are medically important to humans.
Fisher said it’s just one more inconvenience for ranchers.
“At a time where there’s so much worry about food insecurity around the world, and we’re making it tougher for our farmers and ranchers to produce or do what we do, and I don’t know what their thought process is and I don’t understand it, but it’s certainly making it tougher for us,” Fisher said.
President of the Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association Jeremy Kinder said it will include the more common antibiotics, like penicillin and tetracyclines.
“Part of that is using certain products in those animals to make sure they’re healthy and thrive and meet their full genetic potential,” Kinder said. “The use of the antibiotic is really not going to change on our side of the scope. Yes, it is one more hurdle to go through, but we saw that with the VFDs and now we’re going to see the same thing with this essentially.”
Kinder said ranchers will need to make sure they have established a good relationship with a vet in the area.
“We battle a lot of things as producers here, especially in this part of the state with drought or water or electricity, just whatever,” Kinder said. “The parasites and things like that, so we’re used to kind of digging our heels in and getting things done and we’ll do that with this as well.”
Dr. Rector at Woodland Animal Hospital in Comanche said the change will be as easy as calling his office and scheduling an appointment. | 2022-05-13T23:06:44Z | www.kswo.com | Over-the-counter livestock antibiotics to require vet prescription by 2023 | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/over-the-counter-livestock-antibiotics-require-vet-prescription-by-2023/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/over-the-counter-livestock-antibiotics-require-vet-prescription-by-2023/ |
Understanding hosts End of School Bash on May 14.(KSWO)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - On Saturday, May 14, Understanding is hosting their 2nd End of School bash.
It’s all happened between 1 and 5 p.m., at the McCasland Ballroom at Cameron University.
There will be food, games, vendors, backpacks and entertainment for everyone looking to celebrate the end of the school year.
Food and beverages will be provided by No Name Pizza and Viridian and Local Hip hop artist Jacobi Ryan will also be performing.... so make sure you don’t miss out. | 2022-05-14T00:49:26Z | www.kswo.com | End of School bash takes place at Cameron University | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/end-school-bash-takes-place-cameron-university/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/end-school-bash-takes-place-cameron-university/ |
(Tulsa Police Department)
TULSA, Okla. (KSWO) - A man convicted for the shooting death of a Tulsa Police Officer, as well as injuring another, has been sentenced to death.
Friday, May 13, a judge sentenced David Ware to death for killing Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson, as well as a life sentence with a $10,000 fine for shooting and injuring another Officer, Aurash Zarkeshan.
Ware also received 30 additional years, with another $10,000 fine for possession of a firearm after felony conviction, 25 years and a $10,000 fine for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute and one year in Tulsa County Jail and a $500 fine for obstructing an officer.
Ware will now head to McAlester to be Oklahoma’s 43rd inmate sitting on death row. | 2022-05-14T00:49:32Z | www.kswo.com | Man who shot, killed Tulsa Police Officer sentenced to death | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/man-who-shot-killed-tulsa-police-officer-sentenced-death/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/man-who-shot-killed-tulsa-police-officer-sentenced-death/ |
DUNCAN, Okla. (KSWO) - Residents of Duncan were out for Labor of Love, as they celebrated this year’s annual Day of Caring.
Friday, May 13, was the 30th anniversary of the event -- which calls on volunteers to lend a helping hand -- by completing projects for local non-profits around the Duncan area.
They had around 70 volunteers show up for Friday’s giving event, focusing on projects at 11 non-profits.
Projects including painting, yard work, and replacing light bulbs.
Chairman of 2022 Day of Caring Nicole Punneo said it’s just one more way they can give back -- especially after the difficulties everyone has faced over the last few years.
”I absolutely think that after everything that’s happened the last couple of years, it’s really important that everybody stick together,” she said. “Come together as a community, and make sure that we’re staying together to help everybody around our community.”
Punneo said it’s all thanks to volunteers from the wonderful community there in Duncan, and all across Stephens County, who continue to keep the giving spirit alive. | 2022-05-14T00:49:39Z | www.kswo.com | Stephens County residents participate in Labor of Love event | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/stephens-county-residents-participate-labor-love-event/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/13/stephens-county-residents-participate-labor-love-event/ |
.(kswo)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Comanche Nation Entertainment has partnered with Strong Warriors for the return of its annual Strong Warriors Fit Fest.
The fitness competition is set to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Comanche Nation Casino on Saturday, May 28.
Located on the casino grounds, the contest will feature a series of fitness challenges, including a 5K fun run, 3K obstacle course and weightlifting competition.
The weightlifting division weigh-in event will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K fun run will begin at 8 a.m. and the 3K obstacle course at 9:30 a.m.
The final weightlifting event will be at 11:15 a.m.
The obstacle challenge is designed to test competitors’ agilities along 15 obstacles, featuring mud pit hurdles and crawls, sandbag carries, balance beams, six-foot climbing walls and more.
The weightlifting division will offer athletes a head-to-head strength competition across four weight classes. Each class will compete for the king of the bench and strongest overall titles.
The long-distance fun run is open to competitors of all ages, and obstacle course and weightlifting contenders must be 18 years or older to participate.
All events, excluding the weightlifting contest, are free and those who pre-regsiter on or before Sunday, May 22 will receive an exclusive Strong Warriors t-shirt, while supplies last.
More information about Strong Warriors can be found here and more about Comanche Nation Casino can be found here. | 2022-05-14T00:49:47Z | www.kswo.com | Comanche Nation Casino gives Strong Warriors chance to compete | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/comanche-nation-casino-gives-strong-warriors-chance-compete/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/comanche-nation-casino-gives-strong-warriors-chance-compete/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The President of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce will now serve the whole of the state as a part of the Tourism and Recreation Board.
Krista Ratliff has been appointed to fill the remainder of outgoing commissioner Sandra Kunz’s term -- which will end in July of next year.
Ratliff is excited to serve the state in her new role.
“I’m excited to be appointed as a Tourism and Recreation Commissioner, especially because it’ll give Southwest Oklahoma a voice,” she said. “Of course representing the entire state will be great, but having someone from our area who loves and appreciate the things to do, is only going to highlight, for the rest of the state, what we have hear in Southwest Oklahoma.”
The State tourism and recreation commission is comprised of 8 members, who advise the executive director of Tourism and Recreation.
Ratliff will help to focus on various plans and programs within the department, and promote the development and use of state lodges, parks, and recreational areas. | 2022-05-14T04:10:37Z | www.kswo.com | Chamber of Commerce member will serve on Tourism and Recreation Board | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/chamber-commerce-member-will-serve-tourism-recreation-board/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/chamber-commerce-member-will-serve-tourism-recreation-board/ |
Record high temperatures are possible tomorrow
Mostly sunny skies today, though wildfires out west will keep a smoky haze across the Southern Plains. Temperatures will only get up to the low/mid 90s with winds out of the east at 5-15 mph. A stationary front will lift up north as a warm front later today, as a few isolated showers and storms could develop beneath the front and ahead of a dryline later this afternoon and evening. Models are still in disagreement with each other as of this morning, with coverage mainly limited to northern and western portions of Texoma. This is another conditional setup, as capping in place and a near-surface temperature inversion this afternoon will limit how much rain we see, if any at all. If any storms do fire up, there is the chance they could become strong-to-severe, with main concerns being wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to the size of quarters.
Tonight will be mostly clear with winds out of the east at 5-10 mph and lows in the mid 60s.
On Sunday, we continue the trend of clear skies with a few clouds as temperatures rise up into the upper 90s and low 100s. Record high temperatures are well within reach for both Lawton and Wichita Falls tomorrow, along with most of Texoma. The warm front that will lift up today will descend back across Texoma as a cold front tomorrow. This will bring shifting winds from south to north at 10-15 mph, along with the chance for a few storms to fire up along it later in the day. Coverage again like today will be isolated with a minimal chance for a couple strong-to-severe storms in the evening. If any storms do pop up, it will be mainly for southern and eastern counties. Overall this weekend will not have much going on as it will be sunny and warm, along with the possibility for a few showers and storms firing up during the evening hours on Saturday and Sunday. Remember that Sunday night will be the first of two total lunar eclipses this year, and thankfully skies are still on track to be mostly clear for all of us!
Temperatures cool back down to the upper 80s and low 90s on Monday, though unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s dominate next week. | 2022-05-14T15:07:39Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Mostly sunny and hot weekend with chance for conditional & isolated storms | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/7news-first-alert-weather-mostly-sunny-hot-weekend-with-chance-conditional-isolated-storms/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/7news-first-alert-weather-mostly-sunny-hot-weekend-with-chance-conditional-isolated-storms/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Walkers, joggers and runners were out bright and early on Saturday for the Fifth Annual Lawton Parkinson’s Rally Walk at Cameron University.
Every year, the rally walk raises awareness and funds for those who live with Parkinson’s Disease and their families.
More than 15,000 Oklahomans have the disease, from children to adults.
The Southwest Oklahoma Director of the Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma Robert Rooker has Parkinson’s himself, and he plans to continue participating in the rally as long as he can walk and talk.
“None of us had a choice of if we were going to get Parkinson’s or not, but we have a choice on how we fight back and if you stay busy, get up moving, it really helps you,” Rooker said.
Southwestern Medical Center helped raise almost $3500 for the organization and presented the check at the event.
Rooker encourages anyone struggling with the disease to come visit any of the support groups in town. | 2022-05-15T00:14:32Z | www.kswo.com | Fifth Annual Lawton Parkinson’s Rally Walk supports families | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/fifth-annual-lawton-parkinsons-rally-walk-supports-families/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/fifth-annual-lawton-parkinsons-rally-walk-supports-families/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators has named Lawton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Hime as the 2022 State Superintendent of the Year.
Hime led the district through the pandemic, while focusing on three initiatives: Makerspaces, the Lawton Technical Applications Program and the Life Ready Center.
Hime has been an educator in Oklahoma for 37 years, 15 of those as Superintendent. He graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He then pursued his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Hime serves on several education boards to include the Oklahoma State Superintendent’s School Superintendent Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
“Leadership is about building community, cultivating and empowering other leaders and focusing on student success,” said Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director. “Mr. Hime has worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for students to learn, grow and realize their full potential. Kevin Hime is among the best of Oklahoma administrators. We are excited and proud to recognize him.” | 2022-05-15T00:14:57Z | www.kswo.com | OASA selects Hime as State Superintendent of the Year | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/oasa-selects-hime-state-superintendent-year/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/14/oasa-selects-hime-state-superintendent-year/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Lawton Board of Realtors collected food and monetary donations for the Lawton Food Bank Saturday.
In the “Shop and Drop” event, shoppers could pick up items on their own list from Homeland and buy a little something to give to the food bank.
The realtors collected donations in the grocery store parking lot, including meats, cereal, crackers, granola bars and more.
Realtor Tonya Dawson said two thirds of the population struggles with food insecurity, with children and the elderly making up a large portion of that.
”This time of year, they don’t have a lot of donations and the kids are going to be out of school and they need kid-friendly items,” Dawson said. “Peanut butter, jelly, bread, ramen noodles, spaghettios, ravioli, stuff like that. Anything that can microwave.”
Dawson said just $20 can help feed a family of four for an entire week.
It’s also a friendly competition between real estate office to see who can collect the most food.
You can always stop by the Lawton Food Bank to make a donation. | 2022-05-15T00:15:04Z | www.kswo.com | Realtors collect donations for Lawton Food Bank in Shop and Drop event | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/15/realtors-collect-donations-lawton-food-bank-shop-drop-event/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/15/realtors-collect-donations-lawton-food-bank-shop-drop-event/ |
Mostly sunny to sunny skies today as temperatures rocket up to the upper 90s and low 100s across Southwest Oklahoma and Northwest Texas as record high temperatures look to be broken in some locations, including Lawton and Wichita Falls. Winds will be out of the south for most of the day, but a descending cold front will see them shift out of the north by the late afternoon at 10-15 mph. As the cold front moves south, a few isolated showers and storms could fire up along it, mainly for counties east of I-44. While coverage will be low, there is the chance for one or two to become strong-to-severe, with main threats being wind gusts up to 60s mph and hail up to quarters and half dollars. Rain chances for those who could see any should clear out before midnight.
Tonight will be mostly clear as most of Texoma will remain dry. Winds will be out of the northeast at 10-20 mph as low temps fall into the low 60s. Around 8:32 PM this evening will be the start of the lunar eclipse that will last until early Monday morning, with the total eclipse phase occurring at 10:29 PM and lasting for about an hour and a half. Read more on this article from a few days ago for what you can expect with tonight’s celestial event: https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/09/lunar-eclipse-visible-texoma-sunday-night/
Most of this week will be hot and dry, with a couple disturbances maybe bringing light coverage of some rain showers between now and next weekend. Expect triple digits and the return of fire weather conditions to be the theme this week, with our next surefire chance for some rainfall not arriving until probably next Saturday and Sunday. | 2022-05-15T14:02:31Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Lunar eclipse tonight behind triple digit heat and isolated storms out east | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/15/7news-first-alert-weather-lunar-eclipse-tonight-behind-triple-digit-heat-isolated-storms-out-east/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/15/7news-first-alert-weather-lunar-eclipse-tonight-behind-triple-digit-heat-isolated-storms-out-east/ |
Spotty rain chances over next 7 days
As the cold front continues to move south this evening, a few isolated showers and storms could fire up along it in Texoma, mainly for counties east of I-44. While coverage will be low, there is the chance for one or two to become strong-to-severe, with main threats being wind gusts up to 60s mph and hail up to quarters and half dollars. Rain chances for those who could see any should clear out before midnight, with most of the showers and storms staying east of I-35.
Tonight will be mostly clear as most of Texoma will remain dry. Winds will be out of the northeast at 10-20 mph as low temps fall into the low 60s. Around 8:32 PM this evening will be the start of the lunar eclipse that will last until early Monday morning, with the total eclipse phase occurring at 10:29 PM and lasting for about an hour and a half. The lunar eclipse will come to an end at 1:50 AM, with the moon returning back to its classic, bright full moon look.
Most of this week will be hot and dry, with a couple disturbances maybe bringing light coverage of some rain showers between now and next weekend. Expect triple digits and the return of fire weather conditions to be the theme this week, with our next surefire chance for some rainfall not arriving until next Saturday and Sunday. | 2022-05-15T23:09:59Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Cooler day tomorrow before triple digits return across Texoma this week | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/15/7news-first-alert-weather-cooler-day-tomorrow-before-triple-digits-return-across-texoma-this-week/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/15/7news-first-alert-weather-cooler-day-tomorrow-before-triple-digits-return-across-texoma-this-week/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - This weekend, a track meet honored three coaches who were instrumental in the success of Lawton’s track athletes for decades.
Athletes ran the track at Lawton High School Saturday morning for the Whiteley, Colbert and Flye Invitational.
James Colbert and Bill Whiteley coached at LHS and Eisenhower High School, respectively, for more than three decades each.
The Lawton Lightening event was named, in part, in their honor.
Both said they feel lucky to have been able to work with talented students in the community.
“Good athletes make you a great coach and I had great coaches. I had great runners. I really appreciate them,” Colbert said.
“It’s an honor and a privilege just to have the opportunity to work with some of the kids we get to work with in Lawton, Oklahoma,” Whiteley said. “We may not have the greatest facilities around or anything like that, but we do have the best kids.”
The meet was also in memory of Coach Roosevelt Flye.
They plan to continue the event in the future and expand, adding MacArthur coaches. | 2022-05-16T03:56:51Z | www.kswo.com | Whiteley, Colbert and Flye Invitational honors Lawton coaches impact | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/whiteley-colbert-flye-invitational-honors-lawton-coaches-impact/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/whiteley-colbert-flye-invitational-honors-lawton-coaches-impact/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Comanche County Memorial Hospital recently added to its team of Neurosurgeons that specializes in treatments for the brain, spine, and nerves. Dr. John Roufail said his first surgery at CCMH was removing a large brain tumor that was about the size of an orange.
“I always will remember this case because it was my first case here at Comanche hospital,” he said. “I was very happy to start with this complicated case, and it showed great success.”
Dr. Roufail finished his training during the pandemic. As a Neurosurgeon, he deals with the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves.
“I think based on our capabilities here, we’re very confident performing brain surgeries, removing tumors, pituitary tumors, skull-based tumors, and also doing complicated spine procedures even using minimally invasive technology,” Dr. Roufail said.
He said the hospital continues to invest in advanced technology to better treat patients who can receive care right here close to home. He said what they have is what he was trained on while going through school and during fellowships at Cleveland Clinic Ohio and Oregon Health and Sciences University.
Dr. Roufail knows the work he and the neurosurgery team are doing at CCMH is important and rewarding.
“This is one of the beauties of our specialty, neurosurgery,” he said. “We deal with a lot of emergencies which include we’re saving someone’s life basically.”
He said that’s a great feeling, especially after hearing from grateful family members. Not only are they saving lives, but they’re also helping to relieve patients’ from pain.
“One of my favorite moments to see, my post-operative patients, coming thankful and that they’re pain-free or at least they feel like they made the right decision going for surgery and coming out of the surgery in a safe way.” | 2022-05-16T13:08:34Z | www.kswo.com | Medwatch: CCMH adds to their neurosurgery team | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/medwatch-ccmh-adds-their-neurosurgery-team/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/medwatch-ccmh-adds-their-neurosurgery-team/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Boys and Girls Club will host a summer program which involves learning and teamwork.
Registration is now open for this year’s summer programs at the Lawton Boys and Girls Club.
The 60 year tradition offers fun and educational activities from 7:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m., helping kids fight that summer time boredom.
The cost is $60 per week and covers breakfast, lunch and a snack.
The program begins on May 31 and ends on Aug. 5.
Interested parents can attend an informative meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, at 1315 southwest F avenue.
The Boys and Girls Club can be contacted at (580) 357-7541 for more information. | 2022-05-16T23:28:06Z | www.kswo.com | Boys and Girls Club invites kids to summer camp | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/boys-girls-club-invites-kids-summer-camp/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/boys-girls-club-invites-kids-summer-camp/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The grant is to help prevent and reduce overcrowding in Native American households.
”Multi-generational, more than one family residing in a home. It’s just one of those situations where we just see it often in our community and across Native American communities. And we want to be able to try to help that family to provide space for them,” Comanche Nation Housing Authority (CNHA) Specialist Adra Tehauno-Martinez said.
CNHA plans to use the funds to rehabilitate up to 15 homes with improvements to ventilation systems and added space.
Tehauno-Martinez said overcrowding has become an issue partly because in the Native American community taking care of your elders is a must.
“it is instilled in us and it just comes to us naturally, that we take care of our elders. If that involves us moving in to support those elders and help take care of them that’s what we do. If that involves them moving in with us that’s what we have to do and of course, that provides overcrowding in some of those situations,” she said.
The funds are also to assist in the prevention and spread of COVID.
“Particularly, in the COVID situation that we’ve all been going through. It helps those families that need extra space to separate if someone were to test positive for COVID or come down sick. They need that space to maintain a safe distance from other family members,” Tehauno-Martinez said.
For those who qualify, the housing authority will hire contractors to come to do the renovations at your home.
To apply for this assistance, tribal members must visit the Comanche Nation Housing Authority located at 1918 East Gore to fill out an application. | 2022-05-16T23:53:50Z | www.kswo.com | Comanche Nation Housing Authority receives urban development grant | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/comanche-nation-housing-authority-receives-urban-development-grant/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/16/comanche-nation-housing-authority-receives-urban-development-grant/ |
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KSWO) - New reports have brought Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell to the forefront of the ongoing controversy concerning the state’s Tourism department and Swadley’s Barbecue.
According to the Frontier, the Lieutenant Governor signed on off on over $16 million in payments for Swadley’s.
This came after a executive order in 2019 requiring all cabinet secretaries to review and approve agency expenses over $25,000.
But in an email exchange, Pinnel approved a $1.5 million payment to the restaurant without seeing the invoice.
In a statement, the Lieutenant Governor’s office said “There are prior levels of accountability and approval that must occur before these requisitions hit the Lieutenant Governor’s desk,” adding that Pinnell trusted that the agency director had fully vetted the information. | 2022-05-17T04:05:49Z | www.kswo.com | Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell signed millions to Swadley’s | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/17/lt-gov-matt-pinnell-signed-millions-swadleys/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/17/lt-gov-matt-pinnell-signed-millions-swadleys/ |
Tyler Taylor faces several charges after a rollover crash on Cache Road.(Comanche County Detention Center)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Tyler Taylor has been charged with First Degree Manslaughter, Reckless Driving and Causing an Accident Without a Valid Driver’s License.
Investigators said he was driving the car last Friday and was going almost 80 miles an hour off the Cache exit of I-44.
They said he lost control of the car and it rolled, ejecting a woman from the passenger seat.
That woman, now identified as Brianna Velasquez, was taken to OU Medical Center, where she died due to her injuries.
Taylor, who was confirmed to not have a license at the time of the crash, is being held on a $1 million bond. | 2022-05-17T22:20:36Z | www.kswo.com | Charges released for suspect in rollover, victim identified | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/17/charges-released-suspect-rollover-victim-identified/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/17/charges-released-suspect-rollover-victim-identified/ |
FORT SILL, Okla. (KSWO) - Students at Freedom Elementary had the chance to surprise their principal on Tuesday, May 17, after it was announced she would receive the 2022 Saint Barbara Award.
Fort Sill leadership presented the award to Principal Mikel Shanklin, in a surprise ceremony, honoring her for all the hard work she’s done with the children from Fort Sill.
There was singing, dancing, and even a little story-telling about the principal, as students joined together with staff and leadership from Fort Sill to thank Shanklin.
She is in her final year at Freedom, after over 29 years of bettering the lives and education of military children in the area.
“Very happy and very pleased to know that Fort Sill thinks I have done a great job, working with these children,” Shanklin said. “I’m going to miss working with these children. I think that is why I stayed so long, because I couldn’t walk away from the life these children lead and I have wanted to be a part of it all this time. This means a lot.”
The Saint Barbara Award is given to those who have demonstrated integrity and professionalism, while serving Fort Sill and the surrounding community with selflessness.
It is usually only handed out to military personnel, but based on the stories told at Freedom Elementary, Principal Shanklin is the perfect recipient. | 2022-05-17T22:20:49Z | www.kswo.com | Freedom Elementary principal receives distinguished award | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/17/freedom-elementary-principal-receives-distinguished-award/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/17/freedom-elementary-principal-receives-distinguished-award/ |
USS Oklahoma City will be decommissioned by the U.S. Navy on Friday, May 20.(U.S. Navy)
BREMERTON, Wash. (KSWO) - The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) will be decommissioned on Friday, May 20, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington after more than 34 years of service.
The submarine was commissioned July 9, 1988 and declared out of service Feb.10 2022.
The USS Oklahoma City supported various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
It was the first submarine to upgrade from traditional paper navigation to an all-electronic navigation suite, marking the first significant shift in U.S. Navy navigation practices since the introduction of GPS in the 1990s.
USS Oklahoma City’s notable deployments included the Mediterranean to participate in Operation Desert Shield, the Persian Gulf, Eastern Pacific and Guam.
The USS Oklahoma City is the second ship to be named for Oklahoma City. The first was a U.S. Navy ship commissioned in 1944.
The sub’s home port was Guam, and the motto was “The Sooner, The Better.”
The ceremony will be streamed live here.
Commanders included:
Joseph Krol
James Holloway
Philip M. Polefrone
Richard L. Snead
John G. Cooke
James Foggo
Richard Voter
Ron LaSalvia
Gordon C. Williams
Ed Mayer IV
Aaron M. Thieme
Michael Conner
Patrick Friedman
Thomas P. O’Donnell
Steven Lawrence | 2022-05-18T21:21:50Z | www.kswo.com | USS Oklahoma City will be decommissioned | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/uss-oklahoma-city-will-be-decommissioned/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/uss-oklahoma-city-will-be-decommissioned/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - In appreciation for everything they do, the City of Lawton held a special cookout for Public Works Department employees Wednesday, May 18.
The event was an opportunity for the city to recognize Public Works Week, while honoring those who work hard to make the city a great place to live.
City of Lawton Deputy Public Works Director Cynthia Williams said public works is a department which may not always be in the spotlight; although, they are responsible for most of the actions that keep the city going.
”This is to celebrate our heroes that do not have the flashing lights and the sirens. So, Public works is kind of one of the pieces of a puzzle that helps complete the full picture,” she said. ”We are here to honor our employees, and we have our director here along with all the superintendents. We are serving the food just as way to say thank you to all our employees.”
Employees from the Public Utilities and Parks and Grounds Departments were on hand for some hot dogs and hamburgers, plus a big thank you from the community. | 2022-05-18T21:45:12Z | www.kswo.com | City of Lawton hosts cookout for Public Works employees | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/city-lawton-hosts-cookout-public-works-employees/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/city-lawton-hosts-cookout-public-works-employees/ |
DUNCAN, Okla. (KSWO) - The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center is taking part in a national effort to thank military service members and their families.
They will be a part of the Blue Star Museums Program this summer.
The program, which is run in collaboration with the National Endowment of the Arts and the Department of Defense, allows service members and their families free admission to museums across the nation.
Education Instructor Edie Stewart said the Heritage Center is happy to open their doors to military families, and give them access to their wealth of historic and local art.
“Lawton is very close to Duncan, and we have a lot of visitors who are military, and we think this is a great way to help us help those who are serving,” Stewart said.
The program will begin this Saturday, May 21, and run through the whole summer, coming to a close on September 5.
And in addition to active duty service members and their families, veterans will also have free admission during the program’s duration. | 2022-05-18T22:50:24Z | www.kswo.com | Chisholm Trail Heritage Center takes part in Blue Star program | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/chisholm-trail-heritage-center-takes-part-blue-star-program/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/chisholm-trail-heritage-center-takes-part-blue-star-program/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - One of the largest parades of it’s kind, the Lawton Fort Sill’s Armed Forces Day parade and celebration, brings community floats, bands and soldiers together.
The Armed Forces Day Parade is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.
Residents looking for a good spot to watch the parade can set up along C Avenue, 11th Street or Ferris Avenue.
There will be around 100 floats plus marching soldiers, military vehicles and bands from across the community.
For those who want to register their float can do so by going to the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and submitting an entry form before Friday, May 20.
Following the parade, a celebration will be held until 2 p.m. at Elmer Thomas Park which will feature food, music and more.
There will be activities for the whole family, including obstacle courses, bounce houses and face painting for the kids.
Live music will be featured from Crosswind, David Chamberlain Band and 77th Army band.
More information can be found at the Chamber’s website. | 2022-05-18T22:50:30Z | www.kswo.com | Community invited to watch, participate in Armed Forces Day Parade | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/community-invited-watch-participate-armed-forces-day-parade/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/community-invited-watch-participate-armed-forces-day-parade/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Students at John Adams Elementary in Lawton held a field day on Wednesday, May 18, to have some face-to-face fun.
The field day featured plenty of the kids such as tug of war, soccer and horse shoes.
Thy also had ways to keep cool in the heat, with snow cones and a water balloon fight.
As a virtual school, the students don’t get a lot of time to play with each other, so the school held the end-of-year event to give them some of that much-needed playtime.
And it was a blast for the teachers, too, according to John Adams Elementary School teacher Michelle Blackwell.
“You can see their humor and personality on screen., but when you get to see them out in person,” she said. “I mean, we’re teachers. We teach because we like kids. So doing it on a screen, you don’t really get that interaction, so we need the hugs and feels and smiles just like traditional teachers do.”
The event also doubled as a fundraiser, with students encouraged to bring in donations for the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma. | 2022-05-18T22:50:36Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton elementary school hosts field day, fundraiser | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/lawton-elementary-school-hosts-field-day-fundraiser/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/lawton-elementary-school-hosts-field-day-fundraiser/ |
Crews are working on infrastructure for a new Veterans Court housing addition, which will cost $15 million and provide 112 living units.(KSWO)
ALTUS, Okla. (KSWO) - People who live and work in Altus will notice big changes over the next few years. City officials are working on $51 million worth of improvement projects.
Crews are working on infrastructure for a new Veterans Court housing addition, which will cost $15 million and provide 112 living units.
It’s in a TIF district, meaning the property taxes collected from it will be re-invested in the project, according to City Manager Gary Jones
“We’re looking at to provide quality of life for the people that are long-term, second, third, fourth, fifth generation people, but also people that will come to Altus that want to come and be a part of a progressive community that’s making things happen,” Jones said.
MAPS II is funding about $18 million of the projects
It’s a sales tax collected that’s dedicated to community projects like this.
The first MAPS funding went to city projects.
“The second MAPS is, we said ‘This MAPS is for you.’ It’s quality of life projects. That are really going to provide a lot of sidewalks. The reservoir which is our main project in the city. Everything will start revolving around that,” Jones said.
And construction is already underway on the Community Center on Falcon Rd., adjacent to the reservoir.
That’s about 90 percent complete.
Communications and Special Projects Coordinator Chris Riffle said the Community Center has historically been used for events like dances and swap meets. Officials want it to become even better.
“We’re kind of re-imagining it as well to incorporate it right into the reservoir project and we’ve re-envisioned it as more of an open area space. We’d like to start seeing maybe some public markets down there and just a big quality makeover for it,” Riffle said.
The reservoir project is set to cost $11 million and run through 2026.
Plus, the city is partnering with Altus Public Schools to provide a new aquatics center, with an indoor and outdoor pool.
“These projects are for our kids, our grandkids and future visitors,” Riffle said. “It’s very important, I think, for the public to see that the city management at the city and all the entities that are tied to the city directly are vigorously into the projects and pushing them forward.”
Here’s a full list of the planned projects, cost and dates:
Estimated Project Period
Reservoir 2021-2026 $11,000,000
Community Center 2023 $2,000,000
Swimming Pool Indoor 2021-2022 $2,250,000
Swimming Pool Outdoor 2023-2024 $1,500,000
Downtown Park/City Auditorium 2022 $1,500,000
Animal Shelter 2025 $2,500,000
Missle Park Expansion 2022-2023 $1,500,000
Walking and Jogging Trails 2022-2026 $2,000,000
Sports Complex on Veterans 2024-2026 $3,000,000
Water and Sewer Line 2021-2025 $4,000,000
Street Improvements 2023-2026 $3,000,000
City Public Works Center 2022-2024 $2,000,000
Veterans Court Housing Addition 2022-2026 $15,000,000 | 2022-05-18T23:16:21Z | www.kswo.com | City of Altus working on $51 million in community projects | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/city-altus-working-51-million-community-projects/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/18/city-altus-working-51-million-community-projects/ |
FORT SILL, Okla. (KSWO) - Wednesday night, the U.S. Field Artillery Association inducted its first class into a newly formed Hall of Fame.
The U.S. Field Artillery Hall of Fame Induction Dinner was held this evening at the Hilton Garden Inn.
For decades the USFAA has honored distinguished Field Artillery members, and Wednesday night those past honorees, along with four Medal of Honor Awardees were brought into the new, broader Hall of Fame.
In addition, 10 new inductees were chosen for the distinction.
The formation of the Hall of Fame is something that greatly excited USFAA officials such as U.S. Field Artillery Association President Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald.
“The the Field Artillery Association exists to support the traditions and advance the professionalism of the field artillery and the idea that we can honor more people that have done a lot for us is fantastic I’m just very excited about this,” he said.
There were a total of 48 inductees in the class of 2022. | 2022-05-19T04:55:47Z | www.kswo.com | U.S. Field Artillery Association hosts Hall of Fame Induction Dinner | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/us-field-artillery-association-hosts-hall-fame-induction-dinner/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/us-field-artillery-association-hosts-hall-fame-induction-dinner/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - On average, between 30 to 40 people go to Comanche County Memorial Hospital’s ER every month because of a stroke or stroke-like symptoms. While we were filming this story about strokes, ER staff had to jump into action because they were notified of a code stroke. When they heard that, a timer was started.
Doctor Vanessa Clendenin, the new Medical Director for CCMH’s Stroke Program, said they watch the clock closely. Because as the saying goes: “time is brain.”
“The rapidity at which we address these issues is really critical to the outcome,” Dr. Clendenin said. “How fast they can go to CT Scan, how quickly they can get clot-busting medication if it is indeed an ischemic stroke, how fast we can get blood pressure lowered, blood sugar lowered, all those things are really important, and we have to act really quickly.”
So, going to the emergency room when symptoms of a stroke start is crucial.
“It’s always sad to see somebody that started feeling badly or that presented two days ago, and they’re outside the window for any clot-busting medication or thrombectomy,” she said. “Then there’s not much we can do. We can control these other parameters, and get them with speech therapy and physical therapy, and make sure their medications are in line, but it sure is helpful if they come in sooner.”
What are the symptoms? One acronym to remember is BE FAST. It stands for: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. She said one thing that helps them when they’re trying to treat the patient quickly is a patient advocate.
“And it’s best if they come with the patient,” Dr. Clendenin said. “If there’s dysphagia, where we can’t understand the patient, they need an advocate to tell us: when the symptoms started and what medicine they’re on. All of that information is really critical, and it’s time-sensitive.”
CCMH has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association for its dedication to helping patients have the best possible chance of survival after a stroke. They were awarded “Gold Plus” for meeting certain benchmarks for 24 consecutive months, and they’re on track to receive the Gold award again this year. | 2022-05-19T14:12:14Z | www.kswo.com | Medwatch: May is National Stroke Awareness Month | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/medwatch-may-is-national-stroke-awareness-month/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/medwatch-may-is-national-stroke-awareness-month/ |
FORT SILL, Okla. (KSWO) - In a ceremony on Thursday, May 19, the Fort Sill Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inducted two new members to their ranks.
The club is a private U.S. Army organization for enlisted non-commissioned officers (NCO) whose leadership and performance are deserving of recognition.
Audie Leon Murphy, for whom the club is named, was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War 2 and is known as the prime example of an NCO.
Only the top two percent of NCO’s are invited to join the club, which is one of the reasons Staff Sgt. Paige Louque decided to focus on it.
”Challenging yourself for a better opportunity to see where you are compared to your peers, it puts you on the spot, it makes you think how you would react to certain situations,” Louque said. “Even if you weren’t successful, you always have the opportunity to come back. Even just one experience, and not being inducted into the club, you’ve made yourself better. You’ve made yourself a better soldier, you’ve made yourself a better leader.”
She is currently a drill sergeant and hopes to begin using her leadership skills in a different way by helping out with local youth programs in the area. | 2022-05-19T21:47:39Z | www.kswo.com | Fort Sill members inducted to Sergeant Audie Murphy Club | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/fort-sill-members-inducted-sergeant-audie-murphy-club/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/fort-sill-members-inducted-sergeant-audie-murphy-club/ |
Hobart community will host Celebration of Freedom on May 20 and May 21.(KSWO)
By Alex Rosa-Figueroa and Mandy Cunningham
HOBART, Okla. (KSWO) - Coming up this weekend, the Hobart community will be hosting the14th Annual Celebration of Freedom in partnership with the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum.
The silent auction will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the Stanley Building on south Washington Street.
The majority of events will be on Saturday, May 21, starting with the Lions Club Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Courthouse Square Pavilion.
Residents can also check out all the shopping and food vendors which will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
As the evening comes to a close, residents can head over to the Patriots Parade which will be at 6 p.m. and feature the 77th Army Marching Band and the MacAurthur High School JROTC and Drill Team. | 2022-05-19T23:13:00Z | www.kswo.com | Hobart community will host Celebration of Freedom event | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/hobart-community-will-host-celebration-freedom-event/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/hobart-community-will-host-celebration-freedom-event/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - A Lawton Life Scout is planning a navy memorial in Elmer Thomas Park, with pieces from the USS Oklahoma City submarine at the center of the display.
Life Scout Matthew Aguilar’s U.S. Navy memorial will be on the eastside of Elmer Thomas Park. Making it even more special, the anchor and chain from the USS Oklahoma City submarine, which is set to be decommissioned Friday, will be a part of the display.
It’s a project that’s been two years in the making for Aguilar and started with a goal to achieve Eagle Rank.
“In the beginning, I was thinking you know I could just do a park bench and then I could be done with this,” Aguilar said. “Well I decided, why do that? I wanted to do something much bigger and I thought I like veterans and I want to pay my respect to them.”
Aguilar’s family connection to the navy made his decision easy.
Exciting progress was made last week when Mark Glenn helped deliver the anchor and chain.
“It just happened by God’s will, that the USS Oklahoma City was decommissioning earlier than anything else, so it was perfect,” Aguilar said.
Deputy City Manager Dewayne Burk has helped Aguilar on the city side, supporting his efforts with location selection.
“Any time we have an opportunity to provide assistance or guidance to our young people in the community, they’re obviously going to be the future leaders and so you’ve got to be able to get behind them, especially on things like this, projects like this that really touch a lot more people,” Burk said.
Burk said it will be the first naval memorial in the area to his knowledge and that the city always wants to support veterans.
“We certainly value the fact that when they come through here and pass through Fort Sill, we want them to feel welcome in hopes that they’ll continue to stay here or come back if their travel brings them back. Maybe they’ll retire here,” Burk said.
You can donate to the GoFundMe to support Aguilar’s project here. | 2022-05-19T23:36:41Z | www.kswo.com | Life Scout working on U.S. Navy memorial project in Elmer Thomas Park | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/life-scout-working-us-navy-memorial-project-elmer-thomas-park/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/19/life-scout-working-us-navy-memorial-project-elmer-thomas-park/ |
Two people are taken to the hospital after a crash on Highway 7 and Bethel Road.(KSWO)
COMANCHE COUNTY, Okla. (KSWO) - Two people were taken to the hospital after a crash on Highway 7.
It happened a little after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, at Highway 7 and Bethel Road.
It’s not clear what caused the crash, but the highway was closed off as crews responded to the scene. | 2022-05-20T03:48:37Z | www.kswo.com | Two people transported after crash in Comanche County | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/two-people-transported-after-crash-comanche-county/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/two-people-transported-after-crash-comanche-county/ |
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KSWO) - Wednesday, May 18, Oklahoma state lawmakers announced they would be having a special session throughout the summer to decide how federal funds from the American Rescue Plan will be spent across the state after delays have held up the money for nearly a year.
In early 2021, the state of Oklahoma received $1.8 billion in American Rescue Plan funds from the federal government.
Representative Trey Caldwell said the state has been in possession of half of the $1.8 billion for ten months and no local programs has received any money.
“There hasn’t been a single penny spent other than on the consultants that had been hired,” he said.
Senator John Montgomery said the delay has come from Governor Stitt and the executive committee that was given a role in determining where these funds go.
After months of waiting for something to be done, he and other legislators said the time has come for them to take action.
“That particular committee had not met to sign off on some of those projects a lot of these things that we have vetted we have worked really hard at to get done and have frankly been lingering for a couple of months,” Montgomery said.
He hopes to expand mental health access for children here in southwest Oklahoma and says the problem of finding beds for children with mental health needs extends across the state.
“There’s a smaller grant that we are authorizing to the University of Oklahoma’s hospital, the children’s hospital to expand I believe 10 beds for mental health needs,” Montgomery said.
Caldwell said Southwest Oklahoma is in need of more rural health care access, and resources for projects like FISTA here in Lawton, but Caldwell would also like to copy what he is seeing in other parts of the state.
“Like our industrial park and making sure we have the proper gas lines, water structures, and the roads to get there so that way when the next big company comes along we can try to recruit them into our area,” Caldwell said.
On Wednesday, May 18, State Democrats released statements in support of removing the approving authority for ARPA funds from the executive branch and giving sole control to the legislature.
The regular legislative session will be ending next week but the special session will be meeting all summer long, in the hopes of finding a resolution by the fall. | 2022-05-20T04:10:26Z | www.kswo.com | State lawmakers announce summer-long session | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/state-lawmakers-announce-summer-long-session/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/state-lawmakers-announce-summer-long-session/ |
Below average temperatures through early next week
With another day of above-average temperatures in the 90s and 100s in store for us this afternoon, its worth noting that there have only been 2 days so far this month that have actually been below-average, and those came during the first few days of May. With the past couple weeks of summer-like and near-record breaking (or in some cases, actual record breaking) days in Texoma, it feels like we are due for a break in the heat with some relief in the form of rain or cooler temperatures. Thankfully for some, we look to get both as a cold front currently just north of the Oklahoma-Kansas border will rapidly descend across the Southern Plains later today. Prior to its arrival, temperatures will return to the triple digits with southerly winds up to 10-20 mph and mostly sunny skies, which will allow for a strong cap to build across the area. However, once this cold front and associated dry line move into Texoma, they could provide enough lift to break through the cap and allow for fast-evolving showers and storms to develop this evening. Models are currently hinting at areas south and east of a Chickasha-Lawton-Haskell to receive the greatest chance at rain if the cap is broken, as this is where the most unstable environment will be for possible strong-to-severe storms. Keep in mind that even if storms break through the cap, it will limit rain coverage to be widely scattered at most. Hazards with any storms that develop could include wind gusts up to 70s mph and hail up to the size of golf balls.
Storms will dissipate before midnight, as tonight looks to be mostly cloudy with winds out of the south and north at 10-15 mph and overnight lows in the mid 60s.
Saturday will see a significant cooldown thanks to the cold front, only getting up to the mid/upper 70s for most as Texoma will get below-average temperatures for the first time in a couple weeks. Some light showers could be possible Saturday morning in Southwest Oklahoma, with the chance for a few storms to develop in southeastern counties that evening. Skies will be partly cloudy with winds out of the north at 10-20 mph.
Early next week will stick with below-average temperatures in the 70s, as the front will position itself along the Gulf Coast. Isentropic lift of warm, moist air over the front combined with a mid-level trough will allow for multiple days of widespread showers and storms through midweek. | 2022-05-20T11:48:16Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Approaching cold front brings chance of rain tonight and cool-down tomorrow | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/7news-first-alert-weather-approaching-cold-front-brings-chance-rain-tonight-cool-down-tomorrow/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/7news-first-alert-weather-approaching-cold-front-brings-chance-rain-tonight-cool-down-tomorrow/ |
An Amber Alert has been issued for three kids out of McAlester, Oklahoma.
McALESTER, Okla. (KSWO) - An Amber Alert has been issued for three kids out of McAlester, Oklahoma.
According to the Pittsburgh County Sheriff’s Department, Zamirah Aranda, 10; Raziel Aranda, 8; and Areli Aranda, 10, were abducted from their from by non-custodial parents around 7:30 Friday morning.
pic.twitter.com/QaBi0zuFjd
The two suspects are identified as Moises, 33, and Alexandria, 36, Aranda.
Suspects pic.twitter.com/j5SEy58qrT
They were last seen driving a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. It was gold in color and the license plate number was LTL303.
If you see this vehicle, contact your local law enforcement. | 2022-05-20T14:50:38Z | www.kswo.com | AMBER ALERT: 3 kids abducted from Pittsburgh County | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/amber-alert-3-kids-abducted-pittsburgh-county/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/20/amber-alert-3-kids-abducted-pittsburgh-county/ |
Increasing rain chances early next week
For tonight, scattered storms could develop if the cap breaks along the nearly stationary cold front. Otherwise, skies will be partly cloud with winds out of the east-northeast at 10-20 mph. Storms that do develop could be capable of producing damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail up to the size of golf balls. The best chance for storms to develop will be east of a Chickasha-Lawton-Seymour line through 11:00 pm.
For Saturday, patchy drizzle and the chance for a stray shower or storm mainly across Southwest Oklahoma. Gradual clearing should take place during the afternoon with an isolated storm possible sometime around sunset for areas south of the Red River. A high temperature in the low 70s early in the morning with temperatures falling into the low-to-mid 60s in Southwest Oklahoma during the afternoon, and high temperatures ranging from the mid 60s to mid 70s depending on the placement of the cold front. Winds will be out of the north at 15-25 mph with wind gusts up to 40 mph.
For Sunday, a chilly start with temperatures in the upper 40s. Skies will be partly cloudy with highs topping out in the low 70s. There will be a chance for a stray shower or storm during the evening, while most of Texoma is expected to stay dry.
Looking ahead, rain chances are expected to increase as the front stalls out along the Texas Gulf Coast. This will provide isentropic lift (warm air lifting over the cooler air mass in place) creating more clouds and moisture. This will interact with an evolving upper-level trough bringing the chance for more widespread shower and thunderstorm activity early next week. Temperatures are still expected to remain below average through Wednesday with highs only topping out in the low-to-mid 70s. | 2022-05-21T01:07:40Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Big changes in store for the upcoming weekend | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/21/7news-first-alert-weather-big-changes-store-upcoming-weekend/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/21/7news-first-alert-weather-big-changes-store-upcoming-weekend/ |
“What we decided to do was partner with Great Plains Technical Center and do our own program,” Parkinson said.
The students go to a classroom on CCMH’s campus and get paid while they learn, so they’re trained and ready to hit the ground running once the course is completed.
“These are folks that when they’re done with their training, we’ll put them in all of our clinics,” she said. “So, we have about 19 primary care clinics and nine specialty clinics supporting over 200 physicians and nurse practitioners.”
Clinical Medical Techs, which are commonly known as Medical Assistants, do things like greet patients, take you to your room, take your blood pressure and find out what medications you’re on and what problems you’re having. 13 students, including Taylor Spores, recently finished the program. She said her passion for taking care of people came from her great-grandma.
“Seeing her in the hospital, in and out, has made me want to be that person taking care of my best friend’s grandma, and so forth,” Spores said. “I love taking care of people.”
Through this program, Spores gets to be the person she’s always wanted to be.
“It’s amazing waking up every day knowing that I may be the person to make a difference in that person’s life,” she said. “Whether it be making their day by being nice or getting their vials.”
Spores hopes to continue her education and become a registered nurse one day. Otis Roby also finished the first class. He said he believes people have to keep growing, which is why he decided to take this course. As a past CNA, he says what he’s getting to do now wasn’t what he expected.
“I thought it was going to be more computer-based, but by golly gracious no. I’m doing everything from suture removal to one-on-one conversations with patients about life,” Roby said. “It’s more emotional and physical too. You feel important. When you clock out at the end of the day, the smile is genuine. It’s not like yeah, I did it for money. It’s like, I did it for my soul and other people.”
The second class starts June 7th and goes until July 27th. But, applications need to be in by May 27th. If you’d like to apply, visit ccmhhealth.com. Once on the site, go to the under careers page look for Clinical Medical Technician Program. | 2022-05-23T13:20:11Z | www.kswo.com | Medwatch: CCMH about to start classes for its Clinical Medical Technician program | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/23/medwatch-ccmh-about-start-classes-its-clinical-medical-technician-program/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/23/medwatch-ccmh-about-start-classes-its-clinical-medical-technician-program/ |
The session will be held on June 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium.(KSWO)
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Together Oklahoma, in partnership with the City of Lawton and the McMahon Memorial Authority, announced their upcoming Statewide Pride and Policy Listening Session.
The session will be held on June 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium.
Attendees can also choose to join the session virtually via Zoom.
During the event the city of Lawton will present a proclamation for Pride Month followed by a reading from famed author, and Lawton native, John Paul Brammer.
Organizers hope the listening sessions will help not only identify emerging issues and concerns in the 2SLGBTQIA+ but also present an opportunity for future collaboration to address policies.
For more information you can go to the City of Lawton’s page. | 2022-05-23T21:40:41Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton partnering with Together Oklahoma for Pride Month event | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/23/lawton-partnering-with-together-oklahoma-pride-month-event/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/23/lawton-partnering-with-together-oklahoma-pride-month-event/ |
Unseasonably warm temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s this weekend
Overnight, showers and isolated storms will continue across Texoma. The primary threat will be localized flooding especially low lying and poor drainage areas. Overnight lows will fall into the low 50s and winds will be out of the north at 5-15 mph.
On Wednesday, lingering showers and storms will taper off during the afternoon and early evening with the higher coverage being across Southwest Oklahoma. It will be a cool afternoon with highs topping out in the mid 60s. Winds will be out of the northwest at 10-15 with higher wind gusts.
An upper-level ridge of high pressure will will strengthen across the Southern Plains allowing for a warming trend at the end of the workweek. Unseasonably warm temperatures will return over the weekend with highs soaring into the mid-to-upper 90s. | 2022-05-25T04:01:06Z | www.kswo.com | 7News First Alert Weather: Rain gradually comes to an end tomorrow ahead of a warming trend to end the workweek | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/7news-first-alert-weather-rain-gradually-comes-an-end-tomorrow-ahead-warming-trend-end-workweek/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/7news-first-alert-weather-rain-gradually-comes-an-end-tomorrow-ahead-warming-trend-end-workweek/ |
NOAA recently released its 2022 Atlantic hurricane season forecast
Hurricane season starts soon(KSWO)
The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st and continues through November 30th. Forecasters who specialize in tropical analysis are calling for the 7th consecutive above-average hurricane season. The forecast includes several climate factors such as the ongoing La Niña phase, which refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific. In addition, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures are expected in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea along with weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds and an enhanced west African monsoon.
SST Anomalies for Pacific Ocean(KSWO)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting an above-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic, with up to 21 named storms this year. They are predicting 10 storms to become hurricanes, and 3-6 storms to reach category 3, 4 or 5. NOAA predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Dr. Philip Klotzbach, a research scientist at Colorado State University, specializes in forecasting the Atlantic basin for hurricane activity. CSU’s 2022 hurricane season forecast calls for 19 named storms, 9 storms to become hurricanes, and 4 to be classified as major hurricanes. This prediction, once again, foreshadows another consecutive year of above-average activity.
2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast(KSWO)
A storm is named when it attains tropical storm status, which is classified by sustained winds of 39 mph or greater. A storm then becomes a hurricane when its sustained winds reach 74 mph or greater. The World Meteorological Organization creates a list of names several seasons in advance, with each list containing 21 names, alternating between male and female names. The 2022 Atlantic name list is as follows.
2022 Atlantic Storm Names(KSWO) | 2022-05-25T23:13:11Z | www.kswo.com | La Niña likely to continue through summer with forecasts pointing to another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/la-nia-likely-continue-through-summer-with-forecasts-pointing-another-above-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/la-nia-likely-continue-through-summer-with-forecasts-pointing-another-above-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Lawton Fire Department is upgrading equipment, using about $540,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds, approved by Lawton City Council Tuesday.
A self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA can save a firefighters life or help them save someone else’s. And on the scene of a fire, a breathing air compressor replenishes air, allowing firefighters to continue doing their jobs.
A portion of the ARPA funding will be used to replace LFD’s mobile compressor that firefighters use to fill up their air packs while on the scene of a fire.
According to Fire Chief Jared Williams, their current compressor is 11-years-old and no longer works efficiently.
“The manufacturer’s no longer making parts for it, so it’s getting harder to keep the compressor in service, so we can keep that moving,” Williams said. “The compressor itself is a high pressure system. It can fill up to 6000 PSI. That gives us the storage capacity to be able to fill more cylinders at a greater amount on scene.”
These air packs keep firefighters from breathing in smoke when putting out a fire.
“It gives us the ability to put trucks back in service faster and then we’re able to respond to another location or we have a sustained firefight,” Williams said. “The air packs are just that. That’s our lifeline of the firefighters, so it makes them available to be able to get into the fire and to be able to rescue our citizens.”
According to Lieutenant David Raynor, new building construction has made the jobs of firefighters more dangerous than ever.
“The new energy efficiency and things like that in houses, they hold a lot more smoke, hold a lot more harmful smoke than in previous years just because of plastics and manufactured materials, so it’s even more important now,” Raynor said.
He said next to water and firehouses, SCBAs and air compressors are the most essential pieces of equipment they use.
“Without them, we just couldn’t do our job effectively and with this new equipment, and just being the best equipment available and meeting the current standards makes you feel good about having the best equipment,” Raynor said.
LFD officials said they plan to have the equipment installed by the end of the year. | 2022-05-25T23:52:19Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton City Council approves using ARPA funds to buy new equipment for LFD | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/lawton-city-council-approves-using-arpa-funds-buy-new-equipment-lfd/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/lawton-city-council-approves-using-arpa-funds-buy-new-equipment-lfd/ |
A group of Oklahoma Athletes excelled this month at the recent National Senior Games in Florida.(KSWO)
FLORIDA (KSWO) -A group of Oklahoma Athletes excelled this month at the recent National Senior Games in Florida.
Senior Athletes from different cities across the state, including Lawton, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City, all qualified for nationals this year.
They participated in a wide variety of events, including a 5K road race and team sports.
All of them finishing in the top ten percent in their events.
The Chairman of the Comanche Nation, Mark Woommavovah, was among the qualifying athletes, and he stressed the importance of healthy living and teamwork even beyond the games.
“If you live a healthy lifestyle you live longer; so one of the things we’re doing at the Comanche Nation is we started a movement of nutrition at fitness, and it’s really taken off. People are noticing their moods are better, they’re able to control their blood pressure and diabetes, and we couldn’t do this if we don’t do it together,” the chairman said.
The Chairman says his goal is to have even more representation from Southwest Oklahoma for the 2023 Nationals. | 2022-05-25T23:52:25Z | www.kswo.com | Oklahoma athletes participate in the National Senior Games in Florida | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/oklahoma-athletes-participate-national-senior-games-florida/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/25/oklahoma-athletes-participate-national-senior-games-florida/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The Oak Ridge Boys are heading to Apache Casino Hotel for one night only, on June 3rd.
Featuring 3-decades of great music from the legendary country band, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and then the show starts at 7:30 p.m..
Tickets start at $35, but they are selling fast!
For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here. | 2022-05-26T21:11:08Z | www.kswo.com | The Oak Ridge Boys talk about coming to Lawton in June | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/26/oak-ridge-boys-talk-about-coming-lawton-june/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/26/oak-ridge-boys-talk-about-coming-lawton-june/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - School districts across the country are taking another look at how school security is funded, following the shooting at a Texas elementary school that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
Cache Public Schools Superintendent Chad Hance is calling on legislators to provide more funding for schools to keep students safe. He said it doesn’t matter whether it’s a public, private, or charter school because every staff member and child deserves to have peace of mind.
Each year, Cache Public Schools spends between $200,000 to 300,000 on security, including staff, cameras and equipment.
That’s about 10% of the district’s budget.
“If we could stop crazy, a lot of these things wouldn’t be happening,” Hance said. “This problem would have been cured a long time ago, so it’s an uphill battle. It’s a challenge, but I think we owe it to our next generation to where they can come to school and our teachers, they can come to school and feel like we’re doing our very best to keep them safe.”
Hance said lawmakers should create a line item within the budget, dedicated specifically to school security.
“We’ve been very imaginative in Oklahoma, regarding giving a lot of tax breaks and incentives for getting companies to come to Oklahoma,” Hance said. “There’s got to be some imagination in the senate on how we can keep children safe.”
Lawton Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Hime agrees with Hance.
His district spends about $750,000 each year on officers alone.
“In light of what happened, maybe we can challenge our legislators to go back and dedicate some money to security, dedicate some money for schools,” Hime said. “Even if they hired one person or a committee of people to come into our schools and say, ‘This is what you need to do. You can apply for grants from us to do this to secure your schools.”
Hime said with LPS’s open campuses at the high schools, administrators are always looking for ways to be make the schools more secure.
“From my seat, I think our people -- Chief Hornbeck, communication people, our principals -- I think we’re doing a lot, but one thing that I’ve always brought with me when I came here, you don’t have to be bad to get better, so we need to get better everyday,” Hime said.
According to Hime, the district is looking at placing officers outside of buildings to patrol rather than inside the schools.
He said research shows protection starts with keeping predators out of the building. They hope to have that in place by next semester. | 2022-05-26T23:33:19Z | www.kswo.com | School administrators call on state legislators to provide more funding for security | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/26/school-administrators-call-state-legislators-provide-more-funding-security/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/26/school-administrators-call-state-legislators-provide-more-funding-security/ |
2-year-old hit by car, flown out for treatment(KSWO)
ELGIN, Okla. (KSWO) - A two-year-old boy was flown to an Oklahoma City hospital after being hit by a car in Elgin.
Just before 1 p.m. Friday, Emergency crews were called to the scene at Fort Sill National Cemetery.
Officials with Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the child ran between two parked vehicles as a car was passing by.
The driver was unable to see the child, and hit him.
The boy suffered injuries to his head and was flown to O-U Children’s Hospital.
Officials with OHP said he was flown out in good condition, and was in good spirits on his way to the city. | 2022-05-28T00:02:22Z | www.kswo.com | 2-year-old hit by car, flown out for treatment | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/27/2-year-old-hit-by-car-flown-out-treatment/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/27/2-year-old-hit-by-car-flown-out-treatment/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Lawton City Council is considering increasing utility rates and fees again, but this time it would hike bills up by 15 percent.
That’s after Lawton City Council approved a budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year earlier this week.
The next time you go to pay your utility bill in Lawton, it might leave your wallet feeling a little lighter. If City Council approves a proposed rate increase of 15 percent, a customer who pays about $71 right now would end up paying closer to $80.
High gas prices and inflation aren’t only hurting the average consumer, but cities as well.
Lawton’s Finance Director Joe Dunham said filling up first responder vehicles and trash trucks leaves a huge dent in budget.
“It’s things like that that we don’t have control over,” Dunham said. “We’re feeling the pinch just like the average citizen is at the gas pump. Our gas prices have gone up 50 to 60 percent”
According to Dunham, department heads have cut expenses where they can, but it’s just not enough.
He wants people to know the City is trying to be as transparent as possible about where they’re spending money.
“It’s really hard to see that pothole out in your street everyday for a year and it’s real easy to think, ‘Well, by God they’re just not doing anything.’ It’s not that we’re not doing anything,” Dunham said. “We just haven’t made it there yet.”
Alfred Finch has lived in Lawton for 30 years.
He said he thinks this is the result of the pandemic.
“It’s the nature of what we’re doing now, coming out of the back end of COVID, trying to justify costs,” Finch said. “However, if you’re going to raise the rates, we need to be able to see it in a tangible meaningful way, where it’s coming back to the residents to show what we’re paying for.”
He said he understands why the City may need to make adjustments, but he doesn’t just want the change to be on paper.
“They said they were going to change the way they were doing the garbage route,” Finch said. “In my opinion, that went worse instead of going better because now we’ve got trash floating around the neighborhoods. I need, and I think people in Lawton need, something tangible, meaningful we can actually see.”
Lawton City Council is set to vote on the rate increase on June 14. If approved, the increase would go into effect on July 1.
Duncan Dollar General burglarized
Texoma Sunrise Headlines: March 14th
Texoma Sunrise Headlines: March 3rd | 2022-05-28T00:02:36Z | www.kswo.com | Lawton City Council to vote on raising utility rates and fees by 15 percent | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/27/lawton-city-council-vote-raising-utility-rates-fees-by-15-percent/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/27/lawton-city-council-vote-raising-utility-rates-fees-by-15-percent/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - In response to the tragedy in Uvalde, a local gun range owner is offering free basic defensive shooting lessons to teachers.
We spoke to Elizabeth Perry who said she isn’t convinced that carrying a gun in the classroom is a good idea.
“I feel like if they wanted to do that that’s their personal choice but it’s also not in the teachers job description to be a body guard, we are tasked with making sure that our kids are safe but I don’t think that it falls under the realm where we have to carry arms,” said Perry.
While she doesn’t believe a weapon is her best option she says she wouldn’t hesitate to protect her students at all cost.
“I’m willing to put my body between theirs and a bullet because those kids the kids in my classroom become a part of my family a part of my life,” she said.
We also spoke to local parent, Katrina Victoria Kahler, who has completed a conceal carry course herself.
She believes it’s something teachers can benefit from as well.
“I feel like if the teachers were allowed or even helped out to take this class it would be beneficial to them not only at schools but in their personal lives also, I am a big advocate for someone to carry responsibly,” said Kahler.
She also said it’s also important to educate children about gun safety in order to avoid any issues.
“Teaching your children and teaching your students this isn’t a toy we don’t play with these things this isn’t just to look at we have taught both of our sons they both know that if they see our guns anywhere they aren’t allowed to touch,” she said.
Gun range owner, Matt Schaffer, said they offer free women’s self defense courses, free safety and education courses for children as their way to give back to the community.
If you or someone you know is interested in getting registered for the teacher’s class head over to Face Book and check out Diamond Defense LLC for more details. | 2022-05-28T00:02:49Z | www.kswo.com | Teacher and parent react to the thought of having guns in the classroom | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/27/teacher-parent-react-thought-having-guns-classroom/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/27/teacher-parent-react-thought-having-guns-classroom/ |
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Students at Lincoln Elementary paid tribute to soldiers and veterans ahead of Memorial Day.
The cheerleading team performed to the song God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood this afternoon.
The girls have been learning about what the holiday means and which president made it a federal holiday.
According to Juanita Adams, she wanted students to understand why we celebrate Memorial Day.
“Them getting an understanding of why we celebrate Memorial Day because sometimes they may just feel like ‘Oh it’s just a day off. It’s just a day I can have fun.’ But to let them know that there is a reason and a purpose for us celebrating Memorial Day,” Adams said.
One of the students even said it’s special to her because her great great grandfather served in the Army. | 2022-05-29T03:55:43Z | www.kswo.com | Lincoln Elementary students pay tribute to soldiers, veterans | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/29/lincoln-elementary-students-pay-tribute-soldiers-veterans/ | https://www.kswo.com/2022/05/29/lincoln-elementary-students-pay-tribute-soldiers-veterans/ |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.