Firebug found and caught
- Arson charge filed: On August 25, The Penny News reported that 28-year-old McKinley Renee Rivers of Clinton was charged with felony fourth-degree arson in Custer County District Court. The charge arose from an alleged July 31 incident at a Prairie Chief Avenue residence, where authorities said gasoline was poured into and around a vehicle. An arrest warrant was issued August 17. Rivers had not been located when police arrived, and the allegations had not been proven in court. thepennynews
Important distinction
- Western Oklahoma drought and burn bans: This was a major regional story during the week, but it was not limited to Clinton. The report involved multiple counties, including Washita, Dewey, Greer, Jackson, Kiowa, and Harmon; Clinton was not identified as the sole location. thepennynews
- Statewide drought conditions: A USDA report for August 23–29 said all of Oklahoma was experiencing at least moderate drought, with severe drought covering roughly 70% of the state. That likewise was not a Clinton-only event. ams.usda
FFA recieved grant
Weatherford’s FFA chapter is one of 16 across Oklahoma picking up a STEM After-school Grant from the Public Service Company of Oklahoma Foundation this year — and they’ve got company from right around us. Burns Flat-Dill, Carnegie, Mountain View-Gotebo, Navajo and Altus all made the list too.
Here’s what that actually means: real money going toward hands-on projects that put science, technology, engineering and math to work on the farm — not textbook theory, actual application. We’re talking animal science, food safety, ag technology, school gardens, drone aviation. Stuff kids can point to and say “I built that” or “I ran that.”
Jacey Fye, who runs the Oklahoma FFA Foundation, put it plainly: these grants let students take classroom knowledge and test it against real-world problems, while showing them how ag and STEM careers actually connect.
The chapters getting funded will get their recognition at FFA Chapter Officer Leadership Training conferences — five regional COLT events rolling out late August into September.
Rest of the state’s winners: Bartlesville, Antlers, Hugo, Valliant, Wapanucka, Apache, Fletcher, Stigler, Wister, Wister-Howe and Newkirk.
Events
- VA Community Engagement Event — September 2: Veterans, spouses, caregivers, survivors, and active-duty personnel nearing retirement can meet with Oklahoma City VA staff about PACT Act benefits and other services. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the C&A Emergency Management Building, 2015 Dog Patch Road. Admission is free.va
- Route 66 Centennial Car Show and related activities — September 5: Clinton’s major Route 66 Centennial celebration is scheduled for Saturday, with cars, vendors, giveaways, and a Little Cruisers race on Frisco Avenue.route66news+1
- Clinton’s Century Lap — September 5: A Route 66 Centennial event connected with the city’s celebration. It is listed as taking place in Clinton on September 5.route66news
September highlights
- Downtown Clinton open houses — September 3–4: Downtown businesses are promoting open-house activities during the first week of September. facebook
- AA5 concert — September 10: Downtown Clinton lists the next AA5 concert for September 10. The available listing did not provide a complete time or venue, so those details should be confirmed locally. facebook
- Outdoor production of Oklahoma! — September 18 through October 4: Southwest Playhouse and the Clinton Chamber are presenting a nine-performance outdoor run at McLain Rogers Park. Performances are scheduled on weekends through October 4. cordellbeacon
- Chuckwagon Dinner — September 25–26: The Clinton Chamber calendar lists a Chuckwagon Dinner beginning Friday, September 25, and continuing through Saturday, September 26. cca.clintonok
Best bets
If you are looking for the largest public events, I would prioritize:
- The Route 66 Centennial weekend on September 5.
- The outdoor production of Oklahoma!* beginning September 18.
- The Chuckwagon Dinner on September 25–26.
Gossip Corner
Not much in what is appearing to be important to Clinton folks. So if you have a topic that needs to be talked about, send me an email at [email protected]