On Monday, at a meeting of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz provided an update on the Exit 65 project, and Director of Design Justin Hernandez introduced a few other projects in the area that ODOT plans to pursue.

From left, Dist. 1 Commissioner Wade Anders, Gary Brickley, and Clinton Public Works Director Gene McCullough take note of the state of a damaged drainage pipe Monday afternoon in McLain Rogers Park, just outside of the Clinton Public Pool. CDN | Micah As

The City of Clinton is using these winter months to address several maintenance issues. The first project to be put into motion has been replacing a storm drainage pipe in McLain Rogers Park.

Here's your preview of Tuesday's paper

- County officials talk start of year 

- Traffic stop yields pot, mushrooms

- Barton details experiences helping out over in Ukraine

- Senior wrestler finds purpose with Clinton wrestling

With the New Year’s bringing a feeling of a hopeful and happy future to some, there are plenty of people who weren’t afforded that luxury. With the war between Russia and Ukraine still going on since Russia’s invasion, including occupation into the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, nearly four years ago, western Oklahoma’s own Brandon Barton made the decision to do what he can to make a difference to those directly impacted by the conflict.

Feel the burn

Kate Biggers digs deep while lifting kettlebell weights during her morning workout at the Acme Brick Park Fitness Center.

Caretaking

Leonardo Hernandez rakes piles of fallen leaves Monday morning off the front yard of a house on the 500 block of S. 13th Street.

A North Carolina woman was recently arrested after a traffic stop revealed her to allegedly be trafficking marijuana and mushrooms containing psilocyn or psilocybin.

In welcoming the new year, Custer County commissioners began their first meeting for 2026 by electing Dist. 2 Commissioner Bruce Walker as chairman.

Pages