Ryan Horton is an award-winning journalist, and has served as Managing Editor of the Choctaw Times since 2010. He earned a bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University.
Under construction: CNP bond projects underway
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District begins work on bond projects The Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District officially broke ground on the recently approved bond projects May 18, and it didn’t take long for there to be visible work underway at Choctaw High School. Work is underway to prepare for a new two-story main…
Read MoreL.W. Westfall Elementary named Model School for 20th straight year
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times L.W. Westfall Elementary has been named a Great Expectations Model School for the 20th consecutive year. The entire school gathered for their weekly Friday morning assembly “Westfall Rising” with much to celebrate, May 5. Westfall continues to set an example for not only the Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District, but the entire…
Read MoreChoctaw Arbor Day Celebration recognizes two outstanding residents
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times Choctaw hosted a belated Arbor Day celebration May 5 featuring a tree planting ceremony dedicated to the late Christel Turek. Choctaw mayor Chad Allcox encouraged residents to plant trees and plan for the future annually with Arbor Day. Allcox took time to honor two outstanding members of the Choctaw community this…
Read MoreChoctaw goes all-in on Allcox
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times For the first time in nearly two decades, voters within the City of Choctaw have elected a new mayor. Chad Allcox has been elected to replace longtime mayor Randy Ross as he retires after serving at the helm of the Choctaw City Council since first being elected in 2005. Allcox secured…
Read MoreJones wins 3-Peat
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times As the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Longhorns piled in celebration near half court as Jones clinched the Class 3A state championship at State Fair Arena Saturday, defeating top-ranked Washington, 39-33. “Three-peat,” the Longhorn fans chanted as time expired. “Three-peat!” Third-ranked Jones proved they’re still No. 1 by defending their…
Read MoreCity ups manager’s spending budget
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times Divided Choctaw City Council authorizes $25,000 purchases Last week Choctaw City Council voted 4-3 to increase the city manager’s spending budget. With the ordinaThe trio of council members agreed things had worked out fine. However, Linley claimed taking requests before the council slows down potential progress of administrative staff. “I’m trying…
Read MoreChoctaw considers limiting public comments
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times City Council debates meeting restrictions for non-residents At last week’s regular meeting, Choctaw City Council weighed the possibility of limiting public comments to residents of the city. Some city officials say they hope to limit public comments to residents and people doing business in or with the City of Choctaw, and…
Read MoreChoctaw City Council candidate filing set for Feb. 6-8
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times City adjusts ward map Choctaw City Council moved to approve a new ward boundary map during the second regular meeting of January. The new boundaries were an effort to balance the city wards by current population based off of data from the 2020 U.S. Census. The change comes just before the…
Read MorePublic concerns about yard parking, meter tampering cause stir
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times City Hall has recently caused a stir in the community with letters warning residents that parking in lawns and tampering with water meters is illegal in Choctaw. The city recently adopted a $500 meter tampering fee for Choctaw utility customers. City staff urged council to put a concrete penalty system in…
Read MoreChoctaw approves improvements
By Ryan Horton Choctaw Times New parking lot planned for Choctaw’s Bouse Sports Complex The City of Choctaw moved forward with plans to pave a new parking lot at Bouse Sports Complex. The lot will be funded by $200,000 in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Non-Entitlement Units of Government (ARPA Funds). The Coronavirus State and…
Read More