News

Competency evaluation ordered

Emily Kalka Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A Stroud man who owned an alleged puppy mill will undergo a competency evaluation, putting his criminal case on hold.District Judge Sarah Bridge ordered on Jan. 30 that Jerry Hine, charged with 408 felony counts of animal cruelty, undergo the evaluation.
Effervescent Bethany Descher

Effervescent Bethany Descher

Effervescent Bethany Descher

Emily Kalka Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
If you watch Chandler senior Bethany Descher now, you wouldn’t expect that her foray into the arts started in eighth grade.
Above, Lincoln County Sheriff Kevin Garrett explains the various upgrades that are underway at the Lincoln County Jail, including new consultation rooms for counsel and clients. Below is an old cell block in the jail that is in the process of getting a new sewer line. Photos/Emily Kalka

Above, Lincoln County Sheriff Kevin Garrett explains the various upgrades that are underway at the Lincoln County Jail, including new consultation rooms for counsel and clients. Below is an old cell block in the jail that is in the process of getting a new sewer line. Photos/Emily Kalka

Lincoln County Jail upgrades

Emily Kalka Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
The Lincoln County Jail is getting a facelift.The roughly $2.4 million project is covered by ARPA funds, according to Sheriff Kevin Garrett, and is upgrading facilities originally built in the late 1960s. A previous renovation added newer facilities in 2011.
Manvel Avenue in Chandler on Saturday. Photo/Emily Kalka

Manvel Avenue in Chandler on Saturday. Photo/Emily Kalka

Winter Storm

Mike Mccormick Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Lincoln County appears to have escaped any major power outages or injuries from the first winter storm it encountered in 2026.The storm rolled through over the weekend, brining as a much as a reported 11 inches of snow and windchills well below zero.
Firefighters from Stroud assess the situation at a semi crash on the Turner Turnpike on Friday, Jan. 23. While no one was hurt, the Stroud Department had to call in backup from Chandler, Davenport and Kendrick. Photo/Chris Wilson, Stroud Fire Chief

Firefighters from Stroud assess the situation at a semi crash on the Turner Turnpike on Friday, Jan. 23. While no one was hurt, the Stroud Department had to call in backup from Chandler, Davenport and Kendrick. Photo/Chris Wilson, Stroud Fire Chief

Trucks collide, burn on turnpike

Emily Kalka Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Stroud Fire Department responded to a semi crash and fire on Turner Turnpike Friday afternoon, calling in help from the Chandler, Davenport and Kendrick fire departments. There were no injuries.Stroud Fire Chief Chris Wilson said the call came in about 12:18 p.m.
James Kerr

James Kerr

Lions of the month announced

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
James Kerr, Ava White and Rylee Capps were selected as Lions of the Month for January by the Chandler Chapter of the Lions Club.James Kerr is the son of Richard and Esther Kerr. He has taken four years of Advanced English and has a GPA of 3.5.

Puppy mill case set for trial

Emily Kalka Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A dog breeder from Stroud facing over 400 felony counts of animal cruelty is ready for trial.Jerry Hine appeared before District Judge Sarah Bridge on Jan. 20, with Shelly Levisay representing him on behalf of Kimberly Miller. Levisay said Mr. Hine was still ready for trial.
Staudes win big at Stillwater show

Staudes win big at Stillwater show

Staudes win big at Stillwater show

Beau Newport Meekerffa
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Meeker FFA members Kaydence Staude and Analie Staude competed successfully at the Jeff Beutler Memorial Swine Show on January 10, 2026, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.The annual event welcomed 507 head of pigs from exhibitors across the region, making it one of the largest jackpot shows of the season.

Bond increased in shooting

Mike Mccormick Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
The bond has been raised significantly for a landlord in Meeker accused of shooting at a Lincoln County deputy on New Years’s eve morning after the State Attorney General’s Office joined with the local District Attorney have in filing a motion concerning his bond.
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