2024 Year in Review

n A celebration was held for Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney as he retired from office and handed over the reins of the department to Rick Lang. “This is the man I wanted in the sheriff’s office,” McKinney said. “He’s very competent, capable, and he’s going to take it to the next level.” 

n The Rocky Mountain Race Week drag racers made a stop in Comanche. The racers come from all over the country. Many make it a family affair, traveling with spouses or children over the six-course circuit.

n Outgoing State Sen. Chris Kidd congratulates incoming Sen. Spencer Kern for winning his seat. Kidd decided to step down to spend more time with his family.

n The inaugural Chamber of Commerce Independence Fest held last Saturday at Comanche Lake was a big success for the organization. Chamber president Laura Lewis, who spearheaded the effort along with chamber officers Sarah Brooks and Stephanie Woody, and chamber member Terral Rather, credited the community for making it a success. “Saturday was a good example of how when the community works together that we can give the best opportunities to grow as a community,” Lewis said. “As the community works together, we can give back to the community in a big way.”

n Comanche student Jackson Schreiner placed sixth in the nation with his poetry interpretation at the 2024 National Speech and Debate Tournament held in Des Moines, Iowa. 

n  Both the local and rodeo communities stepped up to support Comanche Elementary student Ainsley Turner, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her surgery went well and she was quickly recovering at home.

n Several Comanche band members honed their music and marching skills at the Texoma Marching Arts and Leadership Academy in Ardmore. It was the seventh year for the week-long camp.

n Four raffle winners from three different counties participated in the Beautiful Day Supermarket Sweep at Delbert’s. Stacy Luttrell of Rush Springs, Crystal Ford of Duncan, Judy Jernigan of Chickasha and Jim Howard of Claypool raced through the store to gather up $1,000 in free groceries.

n The Comanche FFA received a Grants for Growing award. The $4,700 grant would go toward  plasticulture for the community garden.

n Comanche agricultural teacher Shelbi Morgan was named the 2024 Central Area Outstanding Ag Education Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma Agricultural Education Association.

n Duncan became just the third city in Oklahoma to receive a Safe Haven baby box installed at Firehouse No. 2  at the intersection of D and Chestnut. It allows scared and overwhelmed parents to anonymously and safely give their infants up with no questions asked.

n Comanche Public Schools recognized several members for service to the district from five to 55 years.

n The anniversary of Noah Presgrove’s untimely death came with family members still searching for answers to what exactly happened to the 19-year-old from Comanche. Dailen Presgrove said he had faith the answers would be found and appreciated the support of the community and others from around the nation and even the world who were following the case.

n Daren Coats was named the new city manager of Comanche in a special called meeting. Coats, of Duncan,  and a former Oklahoma Blood Institute executive, would resign a few days later after having a conflict with the current city council about his outspoken political beliefs.

n Stacy Jo Adams of Duncan won a primary run-off with Andrew Aldridge for the vacant State Rep. District 50 seat. Adams received nearly 62 percent of the votes to replace Marcus McEntire who chose not to run for re-election.

n The Comanche Fire Department installed an onsite storm shelter for firefighters and other city employees. The shelter was made possible through a $6,000  Chickasaw Nation grant with the rest coming from city funds.

n A traffic stop by the Comanche Police Department turned into a high-speed chase when a passenger in a stopped car jumped behind the wheel and took off south. The chase ended in a Waurika convenience store parking lot. Four men from outside the area ranging from18 and 20 years old were arrested on multiple charges, including drugs.

n Christian Helping Hands announced an upcoming concert to celebrate its 15th anniversary with  Gospel group Consumed by Fire as the featured act.

n The Comanche City Council named Michael Shuey as the new council member to represent Ward III at its September meeting.

n A shooting incident west of Comanche led to the death of a man. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release the man was shot after forcibly entering an occupied private residence.

n Local resident John Robison was gifted an automobile from the Why Not Bless Ministry? He was presented the car by Randy Weeaks for his decades of serving the school and the community.

n A bench was installed at the Comanche High School fitness center in memory of Noah Presgrove.

n The Comanche High School band won several awards at the Konawa Band Day competition. It was the band’s first marching competition in two years.

n The Comanche City Council voted to sell the building at 201 Rodeo Drive to local businessman Keith Walls for $25,000. Walls had requested the sale to better prepare for his upcoming coffee shop.

n Raleigh Stone of Bonnie’s HOPE led a group of more than a dozen volunteers on a walk through Comanche on their way to Duncan. The purpose was to raise funds for the organization and bring awareness to the mental health crisis in Oklahoma.

n Several area fire departments responded to a large grass fire in Jackville near Meridian. The fire was south of Terry Road and between old and new Highway 81. 

n The Comanche High School band received a “Superior” rating at the regional marching contest.

n Several local families woke up to disaster after an EF-2 tornado ripped through parts of Stephens County. The tornado started south of Comanche near the Jefferson County line and went northeast, destroying and damaging homes as far as Highway 29 and beyond.

n Donald Trump was the big winner in Stephens County, in the state and nationally as he won the general election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat nominee.

n Wayne McCasland was named the new city manager after serving several months as the interim at the November city council meeting.

n A new event center opened in Comanche. Chisholm Trail Events venue opened its doors to the public after a year-and-a-half of fixing up the Byford building in downtown Comanche.

n Life’s Hope Christmas Event came to Comanche just in time for Christmas as students and other members of the community were able to pick out gifts for themselves and loved ones at the free gift event.

n A new medical business opened in Comanche. Leah Newton opened an urgent care facility along with weight loss and restorative medicine.

n Morgan Middick, Rylan Shelby and J.D. Hensley were awarded All-State Honor Band status by the Oklahoma Small School Band Directors Association.

n The Comanche City Council changed the residency requirement for city managers. City managers are no longer required to live in the city limits but must live within 10 miles of the school district.

n Wreaths Across Fairlawn held a wreath-laying for veterans at Fairlawn Cemetery in Comanche.  More than 740 wreaths were put out at gravesites. The high school band performed the National Anthem, Hope Academy Music Choir sang God Bless America and members of Trail Life presented the colors.