Man pistol-whipped in dispute over fireworks, suspect charged
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon A Fourth of July celebration turned violent when a man was pistol-whipped during a confrontation over illegal fireworks, according to Midwest City police. According to a court affidavit, the incident occurred in the 3400 block of Rolling Ln. Officers responded after the caller believed that he had been shot…
Read MoreLocal leaders push back against OHP plan
By Lea Terry and Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Oklahoma Highway Patrol recently announced it will no longer work on interstate highways in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. The move is intended to reallocate troopers to rural counties lacking 24/7 coverage but has drawn pushback from metro leaders including Del City and Midwest…
Read MoreLongtime teachers’ union leader steps down
Craig ready for role as president of Mid-Del Education Association By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Lori Burris is not afraid to speak her mind. And that usually means, advocating for education and teachers in the Mid-Del School District. After more than a decade of full-time union leadership and more than three decades in education,…
Read MoreSikes earns All-America honors at Fargo Nationals
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Kingston Sikes fared well in just his second ever freestyle wrestling tournament. The Carl Albert High School sophomore placed fourth and earned All-America honors at U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals last week in Fargo, North Dakota. “I didn’t have a doubt in my mind that I could place, but…
Read MoreFederal funding freeze threatens more than $1 million in local school programs
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon A federal funding freeze could cost the Mid-Del School District more than $1 million, potentially impacting student services, teacher training, and support for English learners. During a July 14 school board meeting, Superintendent Rick Cobb discussed the alarming consequences of the U.S. Department of Education’s delay in releasing federal…
Read MoreHeritage Park Mall owner seeks to reopen lawsuit against Midwest City over alleged power cut
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon The owner of the Heritage Park Mall is seeking to reopen a 2021 civil case against the City of Midwest City, claiming city officials violated a federal court order. Ahmad Bahreini, owner of the mall, alleges that the City unlawfully cut electricity to the mall property in violation of…
Read MoreCommissioners approve expedited courthouse elevator repairs despite uncertain insurance coverage
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon The Oklahoma County Commissioners voted last week to expedite the repair of two flood-damaged elevators at the county courthouse, approving an amended contract with Kone Elevator Company despite concerns over reimbursement from the county’s insurance provider. The updated contract increases the total project cost to $175,000, including $90,000 in…
Read MoreE-7 Wedgetail faces uncertain future
DOD’s plan to cancel program faces pushback from lawmakers, retired military leaders By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon For nearly 50 years, the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft has been the eyes in the sky for the U.S. Air Force, providing surveillance, command, control and communications above battlefields and conflict zones across the globe. But keeping…
Read MoreSchools expel cellphones
Mid-Del Schools adopt policy barring cellphones, personal electronics during school day By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Mid-Del Schools recently approved a new policy for student use of cell phones and personal electronics during the school day, a move prompted by new state legislation and aimed at reducing classroom distractions. Oklahoma Senate Bill 139 requires…
Read MoreMidwest City Rotary hosting clay shoot fundraiser Sept. 11
Event to raise money for Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish and Africa mission The Midwest City Rotary Club is taking aim at a good cause with its upcoming clay shooting tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Kingfisher. Rotarians on the Range: Claying It Forward, will take place at Cedar Gate on County Road N 2740, with…
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