Editor’s note: This is a slightly different approach to reviewing the year. We have revisited the top stories for the year. These were selected by the impact they had on the community, not whether the newspaper supported or disagreed with the topic.
If readers think we dropped the ball or skipped something, feel free to contact us. With no further ado, here are our top five picks and some honorable mentions:
No. # 1 Diamondback to Reopen
CoreCivic announced October 1 that a contract has been reached to resume operations at the Diamondback Correctional Facility, vacant since 2010.
The contract commenced September 30 and is valid for five years. It may be extended through modifications by all parties. There had been strong hints as early as mid June it would reopen. Later information showed the institution would begin populating December 30 and is expected to pay the city an impact fee of $1 per detainee per day. The capacity of the facility is 2,160, meaning at full population the fee would be in the neighborhood of $788,000 annually.
No.# 2& 3 Little Dismissed, Alsup Hired (Tie)
The city council entered executive session July 29, discussing the employment of Karrie Beth Little, the embattled city manager. She had been manager for about four years, but the rumblings of discontent about that management had grown into a full-blown howl of outrage from the residents and some council members. The matter was brought to a head by simultaneous disclosure of the proposed contract for Little’s continued employment – with a proposed salary of $102,000 -- and the discovery of a deceased animal and abominable conditions at the city dog pound facility. It was with surprise that the seated assembly heard the announcement that the returned council was entertaining the question of a separation agreement – basically to let Little go. There was stunned silence as the council voted unanimously to approve the agreement, ending her employment and appointing Justin Woldridge as acting city manager. The council would agree to a manager search on August 5 and hire Oklahoma Municipal Management Services to lead that search.
The decision to use OMMS came to fruition December 16 with the announcement of Leroy Alsup as new city manager. Alsup has been the director of economic development for Altus, McAlester and Enid, city manager for Cushing, Coffeyville, Kansas, Catoosa and Guthrie as well as the county administrator for Cowley County, Kansas. Winfield is the county seat of Cowley County. His salary is estimated in the $90,000 range.
No. # 4 New Gym, Endzone Facilities Open
When the Watonga School Board met Monday evening in regular session, they huddled in the new administration meeting room in the newlyopened gym. There are still some items on the punch list for the facility to be complete. New wrestling mats were a topic of discussion. One was presented last week by Larry Estep but a few more are needed. The mats, like everything else, have gone up. “They are a little bit over budget,” said Superintendent Kyle Hilterbran. “But to get what we want it will be worth it,” he added. The board agreed, and the order was approved.
Shot clocks and clocks in the officials’ room are on the way and soon there will be a mural painted in the hallway.
(ABOVE The reopening of Diamondback Correctional Facility as an Immigration and Customs center. The contract is for five years. Although detention is not the most desirable industry in a community, the reopening is expected to create 400 jobs.
Hilterbran is also searching for ways to improve the acoustics and a portable stage for use at graduations and similar events. Hopes are the end zone facility will be completed in two more months and the wrestling room in three.
The new facility will be getting a real workout Feb. 20-22 when basketball regional games will be held in Watonga.
No. # 5 Geary Gym Burns, New School Slated
A fire that was discovered about 10:30 p.m. Saturday has caused extensive damage to Geary High School, predominantly the old gym, which is considered a total loss.
Geary Fire Chief Jeff Choate said the lost gym was part of the original footprint of the school. He noted there was smoke and water damage and one or two classrooms and utility closets were the most damaged. After further investigation, it was determined the band room full of instruments, a woodshop and a classroom were also heavily damaged.
Later it was determined that the loss was so extensive that the entire building should be taken down and replaced. The new construction is now underway.
Honorable Mentions New County Jail Opens
Saturday may have been the only chance for residents to walk in and out of the newly constructed Blaine County Jail without so much as a by-your-leave.
That’s because there was an open house going on, complete with tours and refreshments. The tours were led by Sheriff Travis Daugherty with assistance from other deputies, jailers and staff.
The new facility, Daugherty said, was built as an 84-bed unit, but when the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal issued the cer-tificate of occupancy, it was rated for 108.
Wanding at courthouse
Expect a new step toward courthouse security next time you visit. A deputy is now stationed at the entrances on the first floor and will run an electronic wand over visitors to detect weapons and other metal.
Calumet Wins State Basketball Championship
The Calumet Chieftains went on to win the Class B state championship in the Big House at State Fair Park over Wilson-Henryetta, 56 43.
And State Fall Baseball Championship
The Calumet Chieftains brought home the Oklahoma State Fall Baseball Championship Saturday after defeating the Braxton-Ft. Cobb team It is the first fall ball championship for the school.
Grissom Put to Death
On November 2, 2005, drifters Wendell Grissom and Jessie Johns burst through the door at Dreu Kopf’s rural Blaine County home. Grissom shot Kopf several times, wounding her and then chased 23-year-old Amber Matthews into another room where she used herself as a human shield to protect Knof’s daughters, 18 months and six weeks old.
That final act of heroism cost Matthews her life. Grissom paid that debt Thursday when he was put to death at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Council election Locally, there were four Watonga City Council seats up for grabs. Winners were Roy Hampton, Ward #1 he would later be selected vice-mayor; Debbie McGee Ward #2 – she would resign before the year was out ; Ward # 4 Howard Hursh and at large, Neal Riley.
Carter Charged with Murder
Police were called to the 800 block of Villa Drive in the early morning hours of April 4.
On the scene an unresponsive individual was found in the home. The resident, later identified as Wendell Rednose, was pronounced deceased.
Cameron Jamar Carter has been taken into custody and charged with second degree murder.
Johnson Becomes Eagle Football Coach
Greg Johnson, a former Eagle, has come home to roost. He was hired at the regular session of the Watonga School Board Monday evening as the head football coach.
Harps Takes Over Apple
The worst-kept secret in Blaine County is confirmed. In an article dated May 16 in a grocery store trade publication, it was announced that Harps Food Stores has agreed to purchase Doc’s Food Stores, including the store in Watonga.
Watonga Republican Recognized
It has been another banner year for the Watonga Republican and its readers. The 132-yearold publication, started by T.B. Ferguson before statehood, brought home numerous first place awards as well as multiple other wins.
Lookout Kitchen Shuts, Reopens, Closes
In an email early Tuesday from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department the public was notified that the restaurant’s operations were suspended, an action the department said was in response to the restaurant’s failure to make timely payments and fulfil other contract requirements. The establishment would reopen a week later, but close permanently at the end of the summer season. No replacement has been named.
Plains Collective Joins Cheese Festival
According to a press release from Plains Collective, a new Native‐led cultural initiative, the organization will hold its soft launch of the Native American Book and Arts Festival in collaboration with this year’s 49th annual Watonga Cheese Festival, scheduled Oct. 10–11. This event will spotlight Indigenous authors, artists, screenwriters and cultural bearers, offering a dynamic taste of what’s to come in the full festival scheduled in October 2026.
Animal Control Officer Charged, Charges Dropped
Monday, Caymon Wieczorrek, the animal control officer for the city, was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. Charges were dropped in December with the assistant district attorney citing evidence that was difficult to tie to Wieczorrek.
Watonga Seeks Forensic Audit
A second enormous issue was also brought to the council by Riley, who asked about having a forensic audit undertaken by the office of the State Auditor and Inspector. A forensic audit is far more complicated than an exit audit, though. Riley pointed to more than $100,000 in uncollected utility bills and a down payment made on construction of a second speculative home in town. The bills have not been sent to a collection agency and the construction has not begun, nor is it scheduled.
Baseball, Softball Fields Upgraded
At a special meeting Monday, the Watonga School District approved a contract with Hellas Construction to install synthetic turf on one of the school’s baseball fields. While the field will be constructed and fenced to baseball specifications, the intent is to install a portable fence on wheels so that it can be restricted in size to meet softball requirements as well, allowing it to be used for both sports.
Yowell Named Mercy Watonga Admin
Oklahoma hospital leader Dustin Yowell is the next administrator of Mercy Hospital Watonga, taking oversight effective Oct. 13.
Clewell Joins Clinic
With the addition of Tasha Clewell as a nurse practitioner, Mercy Clinic Watonga now has four practitioners to see patients.
Sheriff to Work With ICE
According to the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, there are several officers working with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Under the understanding, those officers may apprehend persons in the United States without documentation.
School Report Cards Issued
Calumet scored a B (elementary) and C (High school); Canton scored two C’s; Geary scored D (elementary) D (Middle School) and C (high school); Watonga scored C (elementary) B (middle school) and C (high school)
First Love’s to Become Museum
What has been a rumor for some time has been confirmed by the Love’s corporate office – Store #1 is going to close. The last day of business at that location will be December 29. In its place will rise a Love’s Musuem, memorializing the company’s beginnings in 1964 and its impact on the industry as it changed highway stops from gas stations to places where travelers could eat, rest and refresh themselves for the road ahead.