Midwest City Beacon Area News
Mayor leads final council meeting
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Mayor Matt Dukes presided over his final Midwest City Council meeting last Tuesday evening, reflecting on a decade of service before retiring. Dukes, a former police officer, did not seek reelection and will be succeeded by Mayor-elect Rick Rice. “Ten years ago, I first sat in this chair. I…
Read MoreSenior Spotlight sponsored by Signature Hospice
John Bill Martin: Because every moment matters John Bill Martin has spent nearly nine decades doing what he does best: showing up for his community. Born Jan. 12, 1936, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, Martin began his career in education shortly after graduating from East Central University in 1957. Recruited to Mid-Del by Assistant Superintendent R.W. McLean,…
Read MoreMidwest City man accused of neglect after disabled adult found locked in room
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon A Midwest City man is facing a charge of neglect of a vulnerable adult after police said a 25-year-old nonverbal man was found locked inside a bedroom in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. According to an affidavit filed in Oklahoma County District Court, officers were called Feb. 25 to a…
Read MoreMan arrested after reportedly shooting son in head
A father is accused of shooting his 16-year-old son in the head on March 14, Midwest City police said. Keith Ray Slaughter, Jr., 37, was taken into custody shortly after the incident, according to a probable cause affidavit. Midwest City police officers responded to an apartment in the 1400 block of N. Midwest Blvd. at…
Read MoreMid-Del Tinker 100 Club honors first responders
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon The Mid-Del Tinker 100 Club honored outstanding first-responders last Thursday during their annual awards banquet at Destiny Christian Center in Del City. The 42nd annual event brought together law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and local officials to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in serving their…
Read MoreFundraising campaign launches for new YMCA
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Community leaders kicked off a fundraising campaign to build a new Midwest City YMCA. The kickoff event last Thursday was hosted by Dr. Bobby and Jayne Christensen. The facility is planned as part of the Plaza 62 development near the SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital campus, through a partnership…
Read MoreSenior Center renovation underway
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Construction is underway on a roughly $1.1 million renovation project at the Midwest City Senior Center. The project includes ADA upgrades, additional restrooms, expanded fitness space, roof repairs and general updates to the building’s interior. The renovation is expected to take eight to 10 months and could be completed…
Read MoreDukes delivers final State of the City address
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes joked that his final State of the City address might last “two and a half hours.” It might have taken that and then some to cover all the accomplishments of the past decade. Instead, his swan song was marked by humor, gratitude and visible…
Read MoreCity leaders form coalition opposing proposed countywide jail sales tax
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon A group of local leaders have formed a coalition opposing a proposed countywide sales tax being considered by Oklahoma County Commissioners to fund construction of a new county jail. The coalition includes Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes, Del City Mayor Floyd Eason, Del City Ward 1 Councilman Michael Dean,…
Read MoreMidwest City outlines plan for TIF district near I-40
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Midwest City Economic Development Director Robert Coleman outlined plans for a proposed Tax Increment Financing district near SE 29th St. and S. Douglas Blvd. during a Feb. 26 meeting of the Local Development Review Act committee. The proposed Interstate 40 Corridor Improvement Increment District would center on the city-owned…
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