Staff Writer Here’s Part 1 of a look back at 2025 in Lincoln and Pott counties.
January
- A former Wellston substitute teacher, convicted of two counts of soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of Technology, was sentenced to prison.
Formal charges were filed in Lincoln County District Court on April 12, 2023 against Emma Delaney Hancock, 26 at the time. The charges were filed following an investigation by Lincoln County officers and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
- A preliminary hearing was set for a Chandler man who reportedly secured a job with Oklahoma Juvenile Affairs in Tecumseh and faces five felonies related to alleged crimes dealing with child pornography.
Three charges were originally filed in early September of 2024 in Lincoln County District Court against Jerrod Tyler Collins, 37.
- Jury trials were scheduled for two McLoud men facing three felony charges each in connection with trafficking illegal drugs, cultivation of a controlled substance and possession of firearms during commission of a felony.
Destin Minghaun Chung, 18, and his father, William Chung, 44, each were formally charged April 18, 2023, in Lincoln County District Court with those three counts.
- Hall of Fame and longtime Davenport Coach John Greenfield says he has coached his last football game and is retiring.
Greenfield, who completed his 21st season as Davenport’s head football coach in the 2024, took over the program in the fall of 2004 while he was still serving as the district’s school superintendent.
- A pre-preliminary hearing was scheduled for a suspect who reportedly made it inside the Lincoln County jail with a gun and attempted to shoot a Lincoln County Sheriff’s jailer who was patting him down.
The suspect had been arrested by a Wellston police officer for driving while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol.
Jerry Louis Lorenz, 50, of Jones, who was takento the Lincoln County jail after he reportedly was involved in single-vehicle collision, is facing three felonies and two misdemeanor charges.
- Most schools in Lincoln and north Pottawatomie Counties scored higher than the state average in four of six categories on the School Report Cards issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) for the 2023-24 academic year. The schools did better in postsecondary opportunity, graduation, chronic abenteeism and academic growth.
- The first winter storm for 2025 brought the area and much of the state lots of snow and frigid temperatures, but no major problems in Lincoln County.
Charlotte Brown, Lincoln County Emergency Management, reported that most areas of the county received up to four inches or more of snow. The snow that moved in Thursday and across the area was pretty well over by before sunrise on Friday.
- Chandler City Manager Jason Orr said that the city is not running out of water and that the decision to increase water production capacity by 100 percent was a financial decision.
Orr gave an update on the status of the current water engineering study at the Chandler Municipal Authority Meeting on Jan. 14 to address rumors he said had been going around about the project to expand the water treatment plant.
- Two additional rape counts were filed against the Assistant Police Chief of Prague, who along with his wife who were already facing a total of 41 felony charges between them related to child sexual and physical abuse and a judge has recused herself from the case.
The original charges were formally filed against Jeffrey Louis Frisbie, 55, longtime Prague police officer and his wife Kimberly Ann Frisbie, 50, in Lincoln County District Court on Sep. 25, 2024. The couple was arrested by officers on Sep. 10, and transported to the Lincoln County jail in Chandler where they immediately posted bonds of $100,000 each.
- In late January, illness, predominantly influenza, hit Lincoln County, with many schools reporting a jump in absences in the week of Jan. 20 through 24.
According to Viral View, a website by the Oklahoma Department of Health that tracks three major respiratory illnesses and provides updates on Thursdays, the state was in the high risk category for influenza.
- On Jan. 13, a Purple Heart Memorial Highway sign was placed on the west end of Main Street in Stroud in honor of Sgt. Earl Roy “Pete” Lester, Jr.
Lester, who was from Stroud, was killed in action in the Vietnam War on June 14, 1971.
- The McLoud Redskins came from behind to take a tight 52-46 win over Chandler in the finals of the 66 Conference tournament in Seminole.
The win gave the Redskins their second conference championship in their nine years in the conference. They previously won it in 2016.
Okemah’s unbeaten girls beat McLoud, 68-59, to win their championship.
- A Stroud man facing eight felonies was set for a felony disposition docket in April.
Formal charges were filed Sep. 24, 2024 in Lincoln County District Court against Acey Ambrose Murphy, 33. He appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk the same day he was charged.
February
- During their first meeting in February, Lincoln County commissioners voted to acknowledge the Nov. 5 General Election results and officially document the passage of the Emergency Medical Service District 522 district by voters.
They also adopted a resolution officially establishing the 522 EMS district and set district boundaries, confirming the boundaries as approved by the vote which is all of Lincoln County.
- In early February many schools in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties were still struggling with the flu.
In Davenport, they had 61 elementary students, 21 junior high students and 26 high school students out on Jan. 30, according to Principal Misty Emmons.
- In early February Chandler put up a pair of Ws against Lincoln County rival Stroud, the girls winning, 40-18, and the boys coming from behind to win, 60-36.
The Chandler boys were 18-2 after beating Okemah on Saturday and ranked No. 8 in Class 3A, and the girls are 11-9.
- In late February, the girls’ wrestling teams from McLoud and Chandler High Schools qualified for State, which took place Feb. 27 to March 1 at The Big House in Oklahoma City. McLoud was named the 5A West Regional Champions, with eight of nine girls qualifying.
- During their second meeting in February, Lincoln County commissioners held off from discussing or taking any possible action on four agenda items related to the Emergency Medical Service 522 District.
- The Stroud School Board approved changes to graduation requirements that would allow college and trade classes to count as high school credit.
The decision was unanimous and will allow students attending classes at a university, college or trade school to receive high school credit.
- The Wellston Lady Tigers blew the doors off Wetumka in the second quarter in late February and put an exclamation mark on their first district championship in the Chad Hutchison era.
- Several wrestlers from the region were headed to the Big House after qualifying for state at Regionals.
From Chandler, Landon Earp was named the 3A West Regional Champ in 113 lbs., while teammate Bryar Dryden placed fourth in 157 lbs., also securing a berth. On the girls’ side, Chandler ranked 11th over- all, and all three girls qualified for State, with Lizzy Pryor placing third in 110 lbs., Shailey Penn placing third in 120 lbs. and Brylee Waldman placing fourth in 155 lbs.
From Prague, Samuel Teape placed fourth in 132 lbs.
Lastly, in 4A West Regionals, Ryatt Hernandez placed fourth in 144 lbs., while Tripp Bishop placed fifth in 120 lbs. Both are from McLoud.
- Eight young men and women were this year’s recipients of the Gordon Richards, Sr. Achievement Award sponsored by Tim and Jamie Barrick and Gordon Richards, Jr.
This is the 80th year for the award that was originated in 1946 by the late Gordon Richards, Sr., and the late Otto Krause.
This year, only for the third time, the awards were handed out on Friday evening of the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show.
The eight were also honored before the several hundred persons who gathered for the presentation of the Livestock Show awards and the Premium Auction.
This year’s honorees from this area included: Parker Barnard from Dale; Gracie Little, McLoud; and Augustus Goodson, North Rock Creek.
- Dale’s defending state champion boys and girls teams moved to within a game of returning to the state tournament by dominating their regional tournaments last week.
Chandler and North Rock Creek won their districts and moved into the winners’ brackets of the regional tournament.
Wellston’s girls fell in the finals of the regional tournament, but advanced to area in Class A, and Prague moved into the regional tournament as well.
- Five persons were arrested and faced multiple felonies following a robbery at a grow house operation and five others were apprehended and detained by ICE in a related incident.
March
- Dale’s defending state champions boys and girls won their area finals and sealed their berths in the Class 2A state tournaments in late February while Chandler’s boys and North Rock Creek’s boys and girls moved on to the area tournament with a chance at state on the line.
- A pre-preliminary hearing was scheduled for the Assistant Police Chief of Prague and his wife who are facing a total of 43 felony charges between them related to child sexual and physical abuse.
- North Rock Creek was back to the state tournament and Chandler was going for the first time in 20 years after both won area championships last week.
Chandler pulled out an exciting 48-46 win over Anadarko in Ada and NRC woodshedded Oklahoma Christian, 55-43, in Hennessey. Both teams will head to Oklahoma City this week for the final round of state tournament games at The Big House, which has been the mecca of Oklahoma high school hoops for 60 years.
- More than 130 fires in 44 counties burned about 170,000 acres in Oklahoma on Friday, March 14, according to Gov. Kevin Stitt. Current estimates state that there were over 300 homes and structures destroyed, along with four deaths and at least 142 injured.
- Pre-preliminary hearings were scheduled for two men indicted by the Oklahoma Multi-County Grand Jury accusing them of conspiracy, robbery, burglary and assault involving a Lincoln County grow house facility last July.
- The Chandler City Council voted to award contracts to two companies for work on Imel Park.
- Chandler’s first trip to the boys basketball state tournament in 20 years ended with a thrilling 59-56 overtime loss to Sequoyah-Claremore.
- Block grants could help more money reach schools directly, said Gov. Kevin Stitt.
- About 400 students from Lincoln and Payne counties completed the L.E.A.D. program.
L.E.A.D. stands for Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence. This program was led by Assistant Chief of Police Charles Danker and Offi cer Bailey Tucker from the Iowa Tribe Police Department.
It’s a 10-week course that teaches kids why it’s important to stay away from drugs and violence while also teaching them how to set goals, manage emotions and make wise decisions, according to the press release.
April
- In early April, The Chandler City Council voted to demolish the St. Cloud Hotel buildings located at 1214 and 1216 Manvel Ave.
It did not set a timeframe, but estimated it could cost between $120,000 and $200,000.
The Council determined that the buildings —in the state they are currently in— are a hazard to public safety. It was also noted that until the buildings were either demolished or repaired to a state where they were no longer deemed a hazard, the Lincoln County Animal Hospital, located at 1218 Manvel, could not occupy or work out of its building.
- The fire chiefs of Lincoln County signed and sent a letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt, voicing their opposition to the removal of Oklahoma Forestry Director Mark Goeller and urging the governor to reconsider the decision and provide clear reasons why he is on this path.
The letter was signed by 13 fire chiefs in the county.
- In mid April, a statutory audit of former Lincoln County Sheriff Charlie Dougherty’s administration was released showing nearly 250 fixed asset items that couldn’t be located, almost 50 that were not properly marked and others that were located but not listed as fixed assets.
The audit report conducted by State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd’s office has made a number of recommendations for improvement of management policies.
The statutory audit was performed in January of this year and released in February.
Dougherty, who spent 14 years as Lincoln County Sheriff, retired at the end of December 2024. Newly elected Sheriff Kevin Garrett took over Jan. 2.
“I’m pleased with the audit and my response to the auditors. I was able to clear up everything the new Sheriff didn’t understand.”
-Cheerful laughter and chatter filled the busy cafeteria as children gathered around a table, taking their time to choose from a smorgasbord of snacks, like fruit, nuts, water, and more. Teachers were on hand to help them out.
This is not a usual part of the Wellston Elementary School cafeteria, but part of a special event called Swap-Up Day. Family Support Coordinator Gina McVey explained that they went into all of the classrooms and talked to students about how what they eat and drink affects the entire body.
The students were given menu cards showing how certain foods can make them feel—happy, strong, energized and focused— then asked how they want to feel when choosing a snack, McVey said.
- Lincoln County commissioners appointed four members to the 522 Ambulance Service District Board with two more to be appointed at their next meeting.
District 1 Commissioner Will Fine had his two appointments ready as did District 2 Commissioner Marlon Miller. They were approved by commissioners.
Fine’s two appointments are Harold Pumford from the Prague area and Clara Hodgens from the Stroud area.
Miller’s two appointments include Andrew Johnson and Brian Christy.
- Ruthie Capps was named the 66 Conference Most Valuable Player for slow-pitch and Bryan Herring the Coach of the Year.
They headlined the allconference team, which was released this week.
Earning all-conference honors were: Chandler: Jaylee Ventris, Hadlee Massengale, Halle Pittman, Payton Goeller, Brenlee Corea. Honorable mention: Gentry Garner, Rylee Capps, Elli Hilgenfeld.
McLoud: Avery Soward, GraciBisho, Kayse Higdon, Alivia Scott, Miley Hicklin.
Stroud: Kamden Bray, Carly Deleon, Miyah Clark, Peyton Davis. Honorable mention: Carly Miller.
Prague: Jadyn Hightower, Kacey Cantrell, Maddisyn Roberts, Dusti Gregory. Honorable mention: Jaxcyn Goodnight, Taelyr Norman.
- White Rock School Board members’ attempt to not renew Supt. Alicia Ebers for the 2025-2026 year prompted nine teachers and staff to submit their resignations in apparent protest.
During a regular board meeting on March 11, 2025 the board voted 2-1 following an executive session not to renew her for the 2025-2026 school year.
However, that action reportedly was in violation of the State’s Open Meeting law because the executive session didn’t state what the board was to discuss before going into it.
Following the executive session board members returned to open meeting and a motion was made by Vice President David Brockman to renew Ebers for the 2025-2026 school year and Clerk Dustin Stattion seconded the motion. The minutes show Board President Peyton Peters and Statton voted no and Brockman voted yes.
The motion failed 2-1. - Members of the Student Council at Chandler Junior High organized the Walk for Will fundraiser, aiming to raise money to support the Conley-Fergusons as they recover from the tragedy of the March wildfires.
Ninth-grader Will Conley was out with his father, Allen Ferguson, during the fires to check on a family member. The two got caught in the flames after their four-wheeler wrecked, and Allen carried Will to the roadside. Allen sadly succumbed to his injuries the next morning. Will remains in the hospital, receiv- ing treatment for severe burns.
According to the latest social media updates from his mother, Deborah Ferguson, Will is do- ing better. He’s started physical therapy, among other treatments, and may be able to move out of the ICU soon.
May
- Preliminary hearings were scheduled in early May for the Assistant Police Chief of Prague and his wife, who are facing a total of 43 felony charges between them related to child sexual and physical abuse have pleaded innocent to the counts.
Earlier this year they were bound over to stand trial.
Court records show that they were bound over at the conclusion of their preliminary hearing held recently.
The original 41 charges were formally filed against Jeffrey Louis Frisbie, 55, longtime Prague police officer and his wife Kimberly Ann Frisbie, 50, in Lincoln County District Court on Sep. 25, 2024. The couple was arrested by offi cers on Sep. 10, 2024 and transported to the Lincoln County jail in Chandler where they immediately posted bonds of $100,000 each.
Between them, the Frisbies now face a total of 43 counts.
-A 10-year-old died when the UTV he was driving rolled on a county road north of Prague in Lincoln County and one of his passengers was critically injured.
State Trooper Leonard Anderson said the crash occurred on County Road 3570 and County Road 1070, approximately two miles north of Prague.
Leonard said the 10-year-old, whose name was withheld, was pronounced dead at the scene by Miller EMS.
- In early spring, torrential rainfall in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties led to the deaths of two drivers, both drownings, and closed numerous roads and some bridges due to heavy flooding.
Two classes had to be moved into other classes at North Rock Creek School due to water seeping in, the superintendent said.
A state trooper reported that an 86-year-year Prague woman drowned and her passenger taken to a St. Anthony’s Hospital after the vehicle they were in entered high water and was swept away to the right.
Trooper Austin Albrecht identified the victim as Eileen Sanders. She was pronounced deceased by the Prague Fire Department and takem by the Medical Examiner to their office in Oklahoma City.
He said a passenger, Jackie Lee, 58, also of Prague, was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.
- In May, Stroud’s Peyton Davis brought home three gold medals and broke two state records, headlining an impressive week for area athletes.
Davis, a junior, won the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes and the 100-meter hurdles, setting new Class 2A records in the 200 and the 100 hurdles.
Stroud brought home five individual track state championships from the Class 2A state meet at Western Heights, Dale won the Class 4A state slowpitch championship, North Rock Creek won the state academic state championship for slowpitch, NRC senior Caleb Hawkins won gold in the Class 4A long jump, Amarie Bobo from Davenport won the Class A shot put and Chandler sophomore Eli Smithey won a gold medal last week.
- The Chandler Municipal Authority (CMA) authorized SRB Engineering to solicit bids for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project at their regular meeting on May 13.
A representative from SRB Engineering presented plans and engineering estimates to the CMA, saying everything comes to about $11.6 million. They anticipated the project could cost between $11 and $12 million. They are currently waiting on electrical, however, the rep said that it should be installed before the next meeting in June.
- A bill naming the National Guard’s colocated readiness and joint operating facilties the Benjamin T. Walkingstick National Guard Complex went to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk, awaiting signature.
HB2769, authored by Rep. Trey Caldwell, was passed by the House of Representatives on May 20 and sent to the Senate, where it passed on May 22.
- A man from Newalla and a woman from Wellston faced a total of eight felonies between them against a child.
Galahad Gideon Carroll, 37, Newalla was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court on May 12, 2025 with one count of first degree rape and six counts of lewd acts with a child.
Ruth Ann Leathers, 42, of Wellston, faced one count of enabling child sexual ause.
- A man who was arrested by Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents in May was formally charged in Pottawatomie County District Court with seven sexrelated felonies against minors.
Terry Alan Blankenship, 62, whose address was listed as Tecumseh, was formally charged June 3.
- A Lincoln Count jury convicted a Stroud man of seven felonies and a sentencing date has been scheduled.
Formal charges were filed Sep. 24, 2024, in Lincoln County District Court against Acey Ambrose Murphy, 33. He appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk the same day he was charged.
June
The Lincoln County News won four first-place awards in the Oklahoma Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.
The awards were presented Saturday night at the OPA’s convention at the Grand Casino and Hotel. The contest is open to all 147 OPA member newspapers and was judged by members of the Mississippi Press Association. The con- test was for work published in 2024.
The Lincoln County News also finished third in competition for best newspaper.
Reporter Emily Kalka won first place in feature writing for her article on a naturist resort near Stroud.
“Interesting story! I like the way it was written, and I appreciate how open the interview was,” the judge wrote. “Not everyone has the same definition of happiness, and this story shows your happiness can be outside the box.”
Kalka also won third place in news writing and indepth reporting.
- Two workers from the Oklahoma City Zoo visited the Chandler Public Library on Monday, June 9, as part of their summer reading program. The workers taught the children about pollinators and how important they are to the environment around them.
They also brought two guests of the animal variety for the children to see. One was Scooter, a box turtle, and the other was an African millipede. To the right, Dax Freeman stares up in awe as the OKC Zoo volunteer shows him the millipeded lounging in the tank.
Over 30 children filled the community room, a jump from last week’s session. At future meetings, the children will learn about ice cream and how to make, as well as listening to books.
- There was only way to describe the community room at the Chandler Public Library on June 2.
Organized chaos. Four long tables were full of children, ranging in age from kindergarten to older elementary. A handful of parents stood chatting near the tables while others sat in chairs along the wall. The room was thick with laughter and excited chatter, some of the children proudly showing the seed pods they were putting together.
It was the first day of the library’s summer reading program–-Color Our World— and it was bigger than expected. Assistant Librarian Amanda Cross said they had about 30 kids. Their schedule is pretty simple. They read a couple of books and then have either an arts and crafts project or a small experiment.
- There was more than the 25th anniversary to celebrate at this year’s deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City. Two men with connections to Lincoln and Pottawatomie counties received awards.
Dale alum and Shawnee resident Adam Hampton was one of five selected to win this year’s Icon Award, while a film produced by Chandler native Jacob Snovel won Best Oklahoma Feature and the Grand Jury Cinematography Award.
Hampton, an actor, writer and director, said he was stunned when he found out he was receiving the award, before his mind went straight into imposter syndrome.
- Sports fields at North Rock Creek are about to get a facelift.
The school district was set to install artificial turf on the football, baseball and softball fields, using the county education sales tax to fund the project.
“It’s been on a wish list since we started the high school. So since 2019, it’s been on a wish list,” said Superintendent Blake Moody. “Although it’s been on the wish list for a while, we were able to make it happen with the passing of the county sales tax.”
Moody said the district tries to do as many facility upgrades and capital improvement projects without passing a bond issue so they don’t have to add it to the tax roll.
As such, the county education sales tax was an avenue.