2023 was quite a year, with triumphs, tragedies and, sometimes, humor. Here’s a look back at the events of the year.
- Several Lincoln County contestants completed in the International Finals Youth Rodeo that kicked off in early July at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee.
Among them are Rylee Moore of Chandler, Kaylin McRae of Meeker and Kyndra Darphin of Carney.
- Lincoln County commissioners in early July voted to moving the OSU Extension Service from the Courthouse to a new space, approving paying the rental cost that includes utilities. They also indicated they will explore the cost of having someone handle the move and if too costly will provide manpower from each of their districts.
The move is part of an overall plan in connection with the jail expansion and renovation that is in the final design stages.
- A jury trial has been set for a Stroud man facing six felony charges accusing him of setting wildfires in Lincoln County over a period of nearly a year.
He was bound over last month to stand trial.
Two counts of second degree arson and four counts of third degree arson were formally filed Dec. 28, 2022 in Lincoln County District Court against Chad Michael Hutson, 48.
- Two people were in July arrested by Lincoln County deputies after possible human remains were discovered in the western part of Lincoln County.
Arrested were Janelle Brown, 39, and Clyde Clayton, 42. They were both taken into custody at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, a source in the sheriff’s office confirmed.
Brown is from Wellston and Clayton is from Sioux City, Iowa.
- Voters residing in the Carney School District overwhelmingly approved two bond propositions in a special election in July.
With all five precincts reporting along with Absentee votes and early voting, Proposition 1 passed with 59 or 75.64 percent in favor and only 19 or 24.36 percent against it.
Proposition 2 also easily passed with 59 or 74.68 percent voting for it while only 20 or 25.32 percent were opposed.
Proposition No. 1 totals $2,255,000. It’s to construct, furnish, equip and/or acquire a new Ag building estimated to cost $1,505,000; to acquire and install air conditioning at the gym with a projected cost of $645,000; and to acquire and install technology equipment from the proceeds of bonds maturing within five years from their date costing $105,000.
- In July, Chandler cheer coach Cynthia Snider was inducted into the Oklahoma Cheer Coaches Association on July 28.
Snider has taught at Chandler for 23 years and coached cheer the entire time. She started as the junior high coach, then moved to the high school in 2008.
Through her career, she has coached cheer for 31 years. She also is Chandler’s FACS teacher.
- A Shawnee man facing more than 40 felony charges of sex-related crimes with minors who has pleaded not guilty has been set for the felony pretrial docket.
Danny Ray Weeks, Jr., 52, was originally charged in Pottawatomie County District Court on Dec. 15, 2022 with 34 felony counts.
At the conclusion of his preliminary hearing before Special Judge David Cawthon March 3, Weeks was bound over. His arraignment was held on April 19.
- Meeker Board of Education members voted to hire several new personnel for the 2023-2024 school year and also approved a contract with an architectural firm. They also approved the annual continuing resolutions for 2023-2024.
After spending a brief time in executive session and returning to open meeting, the board members approved the hiring of Alex Newport, middle school teacher and coach; Bobbie Borcherding, counselor; Shelly Landers, middle school paraprofessional; Bailey Vaughn, high school and middle school teacher; and Candice Gatz, elementary teacher.
- A Chandler man who is suspected of shooting at a tribal officer during a traffic stop is in the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler.
Lincoln County Sgt. Aaron Bennett identified the suspect as Shelton James Sutton, Jr., 30. Bennett said Sutton is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
“He’s been arrested on the pending warrant as Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the shooting at the officer,” Bennett said.
- Preliminary hearings have been scheduled for a man charged with first degree murder and two other felonies and for two others facing accessory to murder and desecration of a human corpse.
Their charges are in connection with the disappearance of a man who went missing more than two years ago in Pottawatomie County.
Jason Dean Cornett, 44, was charged March 16 in Pottawatomie County District Court with first degree murder–malice aforethought, unlawful removal of a dead body and desecration of a human corpse.
Also charged are Cornett’s wife Elizabeth Dee Cornett and Jordan Treaster, reportedly Jason Cornett’s nephew.
- In mid-July, it was revealed a Lincoln County District Judge is under investigation for reportedly using her cell extensively during a seven-day murder trial in June that she presided over.
District Judge Traci Soderstrom, 50, won election last November over Joe Dobry. Soderstrom won the position held by District Judge Cindy Ashwood who retired after serving 12 years on the bench.
This was Soderstrom’s first murder trial to preside over since being sworn in during January of this year.
Sgt. Aaron Bennett, spokesman for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that the Oklahoma Council of Judicial Complaints is investigating the judge. Bennett said Sheriff Charlie Dougherty turned over surveillance video after being requested to do so by the Council of Judicial Complaints.
- In July, Brooklyn Hammons, an incoming freshman at Chandler, won the 100 meters and took third in the 200 meter dash and the long jump at the Region 9 Championship in Jonesboro, Ark.
Competing for the Oklahoma Jaguars Track Club, she qualified to compete in the USATF National Junior Olympics in all three events.
- In late July, a Dale High School senior committed to play basketball for the University of Oklahoma, choosing the Sooners over at least 17 or 18 other Division I schools.
For Dayton Forsythe, it’s something he’s dreamed of for a long time.
“Going to OU was something I’ve dreamed about since being a little kid and playing for my state of Oklahoma was important to me,” Dayton stressed.
Dayton is the son of Josh and Valerie Forsythe and begins his senior year at Dale in a couple of weeks.
- In early August, a woman from the Dale area who pleaded guilty in May to two charges of felony child neglect was handed two prison sentences to run concurrently with one another.
Brandy Gin Beal, 44, was originally charged Aug. 6, 2020 in Lincoln County District Court. On May 4, 2022, those charges were amended to two charges of child neglect.
- Two women from Wellston were arrested and 72 animals were rescued as the result of an investigation that began in March of this year.
Lincoln County Sheriff Sgt. Aaron Bennett said Lisa Zumstein, 60, and her daughter Madeline Zumstein, 20, were arrested and booked into the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler.
He said both women have since been released from jail on bond as the investigation continues.
Each was arrested on one count each of animal neglect, Bennett stated. “We anticipate the filing of more charges,” Bennett noted, after discussions with the District Attorney.
Bennett emphasized, “In my 20 years of law enforcement this is the worst case of animal neglect I’ve ever seen.”
- Four adults in Wellston residing in the same residence with nine children face child neglect charges and one of those also faces a second felony.
The nine children reportedly have been placed into custody with the Department of Human Services until a proper home is found.
Formal felony charges of child neglect were filed in Lincoln County District Court July 24 against Robert Nathaniel Cohran, 34, Vanessa Marie Poore, 33, Courtney Diane Eaton, 29, and Steven Owen Cohran, 32. Each faces one count of child neglect.
Robert Nathaniel Cohran also faces an additional felony of domestic assault and battery by strangulation.
- A Davenport man faces five felonies after he was arrested for allegations of sex-related charges with a 15-year-old minor.
Eric Lebaron Bromley, 47, was formally charged July 14 in Lincoln County District with four counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16 and one count of child neglect.
- A $50,000 bench warrant that was issued for the arrest of an Agra man charged with kidnapping and two other felonies following his arrest by Lincoln County authorities has been returned and filed and the defendant’s pre-preliminary hearing scheduled.
A felony charge of kidnapping and two other felony counts were formally filed in Lincoln County District Court on May 5 against Terry Lee Ludtke, 63.
When he failed to appear for his preliminary hearing on July 21, Special Judge Emily Mueller issued the bench warrant and also forfeited Ludtke’s $50,000 bond.
- Lincoln County commissioners during their meeting in early August voted unanimously to remove a box that was blacking out the security camera over District Judge Traci Soderstrom’s bench area in her courtroom.
Judge Soderstrom has come under investigation by the Oklahoma Council of Judicial Complaints for reportedly using her cell extensively during a seven-day murder trial in June that she presided over.
The judge reportedly had the camera moved on Monday, July 17, after it was revealed she apparently was on her cell phone during the trial after having banished the jury from using theirs.
Last month, District Attorney Adam Panter of Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties said, “After receiving a tip from courthouse personnel, I reviewed surveillance video from above the judge’s bench and can confirm that the judge spent hours of the trial on her cell phone both texting and scrolling social media.
- The Meeker Quilters’ Guild sponsored its 13th annual Summer Quilt Camp in July.
This year, the camp honored Etta Busler who was a charter member of the Meeker Quilt Guild and a faithful helper with the camp.
Mammoth Baptist Church hosted the 3-day event which was attended by 11 participants.
- Two teenagers were reportedly injured in a shooting north of Chandler in mid-August and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was looking for two male subjects as persons of interest.
Three women have been arrested on felony charges, though at this time they are not believed to be involved in the shooting. Those charges later were amended to misdemeanors.
- A Harrah man in mid-August faced a manslaughter charge or in the alternative negligent homicide after his four-year-old son reportedly jumped from his pickup truck and was run over by the vehicle.
A formal charge of second degree manslaughter, a felony, or in the alternative negligent homicide was filed in Lincoln County District Court Aug. 3 against Randy Eugene Orr, 50.
- Voters in the White Rock School District in August rejected a $280,000 bond issue with less than 80 persons going to the polls.
The bond issue was defeated with 39 of the voters opposing it to 37 in favor.
- A 15-year-old Davenport High School girl was killed on a Sunday evening in August in a one-vehicle traffic crash on Kendrick Road between Kendrick and Stroud.
Described as “a wonderful young lady and strong leader,” Jimmie Brownfield died in the crash that sources indicated happened just east of the 850 Road and 3530 Road intersection.
- In August hearings were scheduled for two women from Wellston who were arrested as the result of an animal neglect investigation that began in March of this year and are facing 49 charges of animal cruelty.
Formal charges of cruelty to animals were filed in Lincoln County District Court on Aug. 17 against Lisa Zumstein, 60, and Madeline Zumstein, 20. Each faces the 49 felony counts.
- Meeker Town Board members in August discussed whether to allow vendors to use City Hall one Sunday each month from 2 to 6 p.m. for the Meeker Farm and Craft Market at the Meeker Community Garden.
Following discussion, they voted to table it until next month to obtain more input.
- An Oklahoma City biker who was convicted in June of first degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a Midwest City man in September of 2021 has been handed a 13-year state prison sentence.
A Lincoln County jury found Steven Roberts, 56, guilty of shooting Daniel Aaron, 33, in the back as he drove his motorcycle on U.S. 62 in Lincoln County near Harrah on Sep. 12, 2021.
- Lincoln County Sheriff officers and the OSBI began an investigation in late August after a body was found in a creek in the north central portion of Lincoln County in the Tyron area.
- As area football teams prepared for their upcoming contests on a Friday night, school officials and law enforcement officers looked at beefing up security in light of the shooting that took place on the previous Friday night during a game between Choctaw and Del City.
One teenager was reportedly shot and killed and others injured.
- Chandler ran off four straight wins to claim the championship of the 66 Conference Tournament in late August.
The Lady Lions beat Seminole and defending champion Prague at home on Thursday, then beat Stroud, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Okemah to set up the championship game with McLoud.
Chandler won, 8-0, to push the Lady Lions’ record to 15-4.
McLoud came through the consolation bracket to make the finals.
- The Davenport High School Bulldogs dropped their football season opener at home during zero week, losing to Oklahoma Bible Academy 54-8.
Davenport’s veteran coach John Greenfield said this week, “We’re trying to get better. We just couldn’t stop them, we made too mistakes and let them get the momentum just before halftime.”
- Wellston Elementary School received a grant from the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board for robotics kits that are being used to implement computer science through robotics.
Susan Way, Elementary Principal, said the OERB grant totals $2,875 for five robotics kits. “We just recently received the grant,” she stated.
- Two of three former officials with the City of Tryon facing embezzlement and conspiracy charges pleaded guilty in September and been handed deferred sentences.
Two charges of embezzlement and one for conspiracy were filed in Lincoln County District Court May 10, 2022 against former Police Chief Jered Dewayne Prickett, 47.
One charge of embezzlement and one for conspiracy were filed the same day in Lincoln County District Court against Candace Marie Prickett, 47, who was Clerk-Treasurer. She also served as Utility assistant.
- Carson Clagg ran for 130 yards and two first half touchdowns Friday to lead Chandler to a 26-6 win over ancient rival Stroud in their season opener.
It was the Lions’ fourth straight win over Stroud, but was much closer than the last three. The game was still in doubt until Braxton Estes scored to put Chandler up by 20 with 5:54 left in the game.
- Chandler School Supt. Scott Baade said Chandler High School has been ranked the 12th best in Oklahoma by U.S. World and News Report.
- Meeker Board of Education members at their September meeting approved the Estimate of Needs and financial statement for 2023-2024 and accepted a bid for a sprinkler system for the baseball field.
They also agreed to a contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to provide a full time school resource officer.
- More than 10 streets in Chandler will be repaved in the next few months, City Manager Jason Orr announced, making this the first project of this magnitude regarding the city’s roads.
In the city council meeting on Sep. 12, the council voted to accept the lowest bid of $1.6 million submitted by T.J. Campbell Construction. The company has three months to complete the project, though Orr said the contractor will set the exact dates for the work.
- Chandler Public Library launched the Story-Path in Tilghman Park on Wednesday, Sep. 13, with local children and parents taking part.
The StoryPath was funded by a grant through the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and The Institute of Museum and Library Services, according to Children’s Librarian Carla Hale. It is maintained by the City of Chandler and the Chandler Public Library.
- A new hotel is finally coming to Chandler, with final approval for the site plans and prints from Choice Hotels Development currently pending.
Rezoning for the hotel, which will be located behind the Randy Bowen dealership near the turnpike, was unanimously approved in January 2023 by the Chandler City Council. TJ Remy, the developer, said the plans were submitted at the end of August to Choice Hotels. He is currently waiting for full franchise approval. Once that’s done, he can apply for a building permit from the City of Chandler. He expects it will take the next 30 days to gain approval.
- Meeker Town Board of Trustees during its September meeting voted to allow two men to set up a Frisbee Golf Course at the Meeker Lake.
They also agreed to allow Leslie Wilbourn to apply for grants for the Town of Meeker while getting paid from the grant itself.
- Chandler High School alum Jon Gray has been nominated by the Texas Rangers for this year’s Roberto Clemente Award. His nomination was announced on Sep. 8.
The award is considered baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for players, according to the Major League Baseball(MLB) organization. It’s awarded every year to one player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions on and off the field. Each team in the league nominates one player that the general public is then allowed to vote on.
-Voters in the McLoud and Luther School districts rejected school bond propositions in September.
In the McLoud School District, voters were deciding on two propositions and those in the Luther School District had a single bond issue.
In both districts the bond issues required 60 percent of those voting to be in favor in order to them to pass.
- Lincoln County commissioners in late September, during a special joint meeting with the 911 Trust Authority, voted to provide $41,657 in payroll assistance to the E-911. Their action came after more than an hour of discussion concerning the 911 Trust Authority’s financial situation that includes unpaid back taxes and late fees.
- A group of 43 girls from Chandler High School attended Invest in Girls Day at the University of Central Oklahoma in late September, said teacher Cynthia Snider.
The day-long event started with a seminar on personal nance in the morning that taught concepts such as earning an income, taxes, managing a bank account, credit cards and more. The afternoon included a tour of the business department at UCO- - A Shawnee man on trial for 41 felony charges of sex-related crimes with minors made a blind plea during the trial on all of the counts.
After hearing all of his victims testify on Wednesday, Sep. 27, Danny Ray Weeks entered a blind plea on Thursday morning.
- Lincoln County commissioners in early October approved the budget numbers for the Fiscal Year 2024 Estimate of Needs and awarded bids on street and bridge projects.
Lincoln County Clerk Alicia Wagnon advised commissioners the budget numbers for FY 2024 are more than $14.5 million.
- The Davenport Bulldogs captured their first win of the season, defeating Alex 46-38 on the road.
The Bulldogs improved to 1-5 on the season and have an open week this Friday. They open district play the following Thursday night, Oct.12, in a home contest, hosting Summit. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.
- The Oklahoma State Supreme Court in mid-October filed a petition seeking the removal of Lincoln County District Judge Traci Soderstrom following an investigation by the Council on Judicial Complaints.
The petition states that Soderstrom “engaged in conduct prohibited by the Oklahoma Constitution.” The allegations are based on information forwarded to the Supreme Court by the Council on Judicial Complaints which reportedly began its investigation this summer.
The grounds which the removal from office is sought include these activities prohibited by Article 7-A of the state Constitution. According to the petition, they include: Gross neglect of duty. Gross partiality in office. Oppression in office. Other grounds specified by the Legislature.
- Liyah Dauman of Prague was named the District 3A-7 fastpitch player of the year and Chandler’s Carson Jackson and Kennedy Allen were named the defensive player of the year and pitcher of the year, respectively.
Prague coach Dailyn King was the district co-coach of the year.
The Chandler City Council voted to wait on taking any action regarding the intersections of Ninth and Manvel and Sixth and Manvel at their monthly meeting on Oct. 10.
The motion called for City Attorney Larry Lenora to draft a letter to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation ODOT) and request a quick response. The letter would ask for clarification on ODOT’s determination of having a stoplight or four-way stop at Ninth and Manvel while also requesting a second study on both intersections.
- The Pride of Chandler Marching Band scored all superior ratings at the Northwest Regional Marching Band competition at Enid High School on Oct. 11. They were one of 12 bands to compete in Class 3A, along with two other Lincoln County high schools, Prague and Meeker.
“I feel so proud of our kiddos for all the hard work they poured into this season,” said Chandler High School Band Director Rachel Karger. “They showed great potential early on when we started our summer - A fire that broke out in Stroud on Main Street in October destroyed an antique store but firefighters were able to contain the fire to that building.
Stroud Fire Chief Chris Wilson said the call came in at 8:35 p.m. Wilson noted, “We had heavy smoke as we arrived. The south wind was pushing the fire through the structure to the north.”
Wilson said the store housed Horn’s Antiques at 414 W. Main in Stroud for many years but it had not been operational for some time. He estimated it might have been as long as 20 years since it had been in operation.
Chandler’s path to a district championship took a detour during a Friday night contest in late October, as Jones came to town and left with a 57-28 victory.
The win left Jones atop District 2A-2 with a 5-0 record and Chandler in second at 4-1.
Meeker, which put down Luther last week, and Crossings Christian are tied with 3-2 records - Stroud’s Tigers scored on their first two offensive plays, led 30-0 with just over six minutes gone in the game and hung half a hundred on Mounds in the first two quarters.
It was a continuation of the Tigers’ domination of District A-6. They are 5-0 in district, winning those games by a combined score of 276-64.
- Davenport opened district action with a win in mid-October, squeezing by Summit 38-36 in a home contest.
The Bulldogs are now 2-5 overall and 1-0 in district as they prepare to entertain Weleetka at home Friday night. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
- A Lincoln County jury has found a Wellston man guilty of six crimes against minors and recommended he spend 150 years in state prison.
Jason Wayne Womack, 41, was originally charged in September of 2021 in Lincoln County District Court with six counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16 which were amended on Oct. 23 this year.
- Chandler High School product Jon Gray took center stage as he pitched three innings of scoreless relief for Texas in Game 3 of the World’s Series and was the winning pitcher.
A 2010 Chandler graduate, Gray has pitched for the Rangers since 2022 after playing seven years for the Colorado Rockies.
- A riot involving about 25 inmates reportedly occurred at the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler on Thursday evening Nov. 2, but there were no injuries to jail staff, officers or inmates.
- Chandler’s Lions shook off what ailed them a week ago and beat Luther, 37-20, in a game that didn’t feel that close.
It was the regular season finale and left the Lions with an 8-2 record and in second place in District 2A-2.
- Stroud dominated every aspect of the game and built a 42-0 in just three quarters against Morrison en route to a 56-12 victory in the first round of the Class A playoffs.
It was the ninth win in a row for the Tigers, ranked No. 6 in the state, and sets up their second-round match against Gore this week.
- Sac and Fox Principal Chief Randle Carter said the recent situation surrounding a member of another tribe being ticketed for tribal tags is about “authority and control.”
“The governor thinks he has authority over tribal matters between the tribe and its members,” he said. “But on the Sac and Fox, I can tell you since inception, we’ve administered it according to what guidelines have been sent out by the Supreme Court.”
- A Lincoln County jail inmate, who has been previously convicted of at least five felonies, has been charged in connection with a recent riot at the jail.
David Keith Miller, about 31, has been formally charged in Lincoln County District Court with incitement to riot, a felony, and attempt-malicious injury to property under $1,000, a misdemeanor.
- The Chandler City Council voted unanimously in November to install a temporary four-way stop at the intersection of 9th and Manvel while expediting the process of applying for TAP grants through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to improve the downtown area.
The current stoplights will remain; however, they will flash red at all times. The stop signs will also be flashing, according to the motion by Ward 4 Council Member Robin Crouch. City Manager Jason Orr will contact the District 3 field engineer for ODOT to request the installation.
- An Agra man has pleaded guilty to 14 felonies with minors and has been sentenced to state prison.
Kenneth Taylor Simpson, 21, originally was charged on Oct. 24, 2022 in Lincoln County District Court with lewd acts to a child under 16, forcible sodomy of a child under 16 and second degree rape.
- A Jennings man facing a manslaughter charge or in the alternative negligent homicide was bound over to stand trial in the death of a Stroud man.
Brent Lee Nobles, 43, was charged in Lincoln County District Court March 23. A $15,000 bench warrant was issued at that time for his arrest.
- Stroud’s offense hung half a hundred for the sixth straight game and the defense stymied Gore except for one play in mid-November.
The result was a 54-6 victory in the second round of the playoffs that send the Tigers into a state quarterfinals rematch against defending state champion Fairview.
- A Shawnee man who in September made a blind of guilty on 41 felony charges of sex-related crimes with minors will spend the remainder of his life in prison.
On the last Monday in November, Pottawatomie County Associate District Judge Tracy McDaniel sentenced Danny Ray Weeks to multiple life sentences to run consecutively and without parole.
- Chandler and Meeker ended marching band season on a high note with a combined 15 students–11 from Chandler and four from Meeker–making the Cimarron Valley Honor Band. The band has a total of 80 students from all over the state.
This is the most students from Chandler that have made the band, according to band director Rachel Karger. They also had 11 students make the middle school honor band.
- Meeker Town Board of Trustees in late November learned that the Growth and Development Committee created many years ago actually is and has been non-existent.
Meeker Town Administrator Jeff Wilbourn confirmed the day after last week’s regular meeting of the Trustees that the Town Board created the Growth and Development Committee more than 15 years ago on Aug. 18, 2008.
- Stroud coughed up four turnovers and allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half and spotted No. 1 Fairview a 49-13 halftime lead in the state quarterfinals at Moore.
The result was a season-ending 5620 loss for the Tigers, who had won 10 games in a row.
- A $50,000 bench warrant has been issued for an Agra man who failed to show up for his arraignment on charges of kidnapping and two other felonies.
After being called three times in open court, Terry Lee Ludtke, 63, failed to show up. District Judge John Canavan then ordered the $50,000 been warrant issued and set his bond in the amount of $50,000 with bond forfeited.
- The City of Chandler honored Jon Gray with a street named after him at a special ceremony before the annual Christmas parade on a Saturday. A replica street sign was given to the baseball player by City Manager Jason Orr and Mayor Kent McVey at Randy Bowen Chevrolet.
- A Stroud man is facing a first degree murder charge related to the distribution of Fentanyl, a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
Formal charges were filed in Lincoln County District Court Dec. 6 against Dillon Young, 30.
- Meeker Board of Education members this week voted approval of adding a second teacher to the agricultural education program.
School Supt Jeff Prutt explained to board members, “Our numbers are there to support a second teacher and Career Tech will pay for that second teacher. We need to try to get one hired as soon as possible,” he added.
Pruitt reminded board members that Vo-Ag advisor Logan Johns had the No. 1 Vo-Ag program in the nation in the Covid-19 year and most recently the program also placed in the top 10 in the country.
- In mid-December, a Wellston woman and an Iowa man have been bound to stand trial in the death of a Carney man and both face first degree murder charges along with three other felonies.
Clyde Dean Clayton, 42, of Sioux City, Iowa and Janelle Berthna Brown, 39, Wellston, were formally charged July 14 in Lincoln County District Court.
- The Chandler City Council heard requests from the former director of Public Works to address the condition of the city’s water lines and city residents to reconsider the removal of stop signs at Price and Third at their monthly meeting on Dec. 12.
David Nickell, who recently retired as director of Public Works, presented a clogged water pipe during city staff updates, telling the council that they needed to address the city’s water lines.
“I wouldn’t be doing my due diligence if I didn’t bring that to your attention,” he said.
- The Dale girls and North Rock Creek boys finished up the 2023 portions of their schedules unbeaten, the Lady Pirates being 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class 2A and the Cougars going 8-0 and owning the No. 2 ranking in Class 4A.
They will resume play on Jan. 4, with Dale playing the Kingston Classic on and NRC going to the Konawa tournament.
Dale’s two-time defending state champions boys went 13-1 and are ranked No. 1 in Class 2A.