Brooks family purchases Comanche Times

Todd and Sarah Brooks are the new owners of The Comanche Times after purchasing the newspaper from Keith and Anita Mansfield.

Todd has been the publisher and editor of the newspaper for the past three years, running the newspaper's operation for the Mansfields.

"Keith called me a little more than three years ago and asked me if he bought the Comanche Times from the Bolton family would I run it for him," Brooks said. "After talking with Sarah, I agreed and I couldn't be more pleased with how things went."

The Brooks appreciate the support the Mansfields gave them.

"Keith gave me a lot of freedom to run the newspaper," Brooks said. "He basically handed me the keys to the business and told me to do what I needed to do to keep it going successfully."

Sarah has been behind the scenes playing an important role in making sure the operation runs smoothly.

"Sarah keeps track of things like billing, subscriptions and other office matters, so I can focus on getting out a newspaper every week," Brooks said. "I wouldn't be able to do what I do without her work and organizational skills."

The Brooks live on a small farm in rural Stephens County near Lake Humphries. They have five children. Their oldest son Matthew graduated from USAO last spring and works for the Chickasha Economic Development Council. Their daughter Maggie is an incoming sophomore at USAO. The three youngest, Mark (16), Micah (14) and Max (12) are homeschooled by Sarah.

"We moved to Stephens County 14 years ago and we have enjoyed living here ever since," Brooks said. "I came to pastor a church in Marlow and then shortly after I left that job three years later, I got back in the newspaper business full-time in Marlow."

Todd worked at The Marlow Review full-time for more than six years before coming to take over the newspaper in Comanche.

"I have enjoyed being in Comanche tremendously," Brooks said. "I know there is a rivalry between the towns and schools, but the transition went smoothly. I can't thank the people of Comanche enough for their support and their understanding as I learned a new role and they were forgiving of my mistakes along the way."

Brooks got his professional start in the newspaper business as a sports editor for a daily newspaper in Alabama when he graduated from college in 1991. He also worked at newspapers in Florida and Arkansas before coming to Oklahoma.

"As a former athlete and a huge sports fan, I thought I had found my calling for the rest of my life, but as the years passed on, I discovered I wanted to do more in the newspaper business than just sports."

Todd will be inducted into the Oklahoma Press Association's "Quarter Century Club," an honor for those with at least 25 years of service in the newspaper industry, in June.

"I have worked a couple of other occupations over the years, but I always found myself getting back into newspapers," Brooks said. "I couldn't stay away for long. There's an old saying about once you get in the newspaper business you get 'ink in your blood,' and you can never get it out. I think that describes me well."

Brooks asks for the community's continued support.

"If we haven't had a chance to meet yet, please feel free to stop by the office," Brooks said. "If you have any story ideas or have photos from some local event, please reach out. We are an award-winning newspaper and it's because of the people in the community that we have been able to obtain those goals. Sarah and I are proud to be the owners of The Comanche Times and proud to serve the community."