THE STILLWEGIAN

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Stillwater Oklahoma's local independent online news publisher 🌉 bridged from https://www.thestillwegian.news/ on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/

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Longform Stories

Early voting starts today — your guide to local primary races

In most of these local races, whoever wins June 16 wins the seat outright

2h ago·6 min read·1104 words

June 2026 Deaths

Death Notices and Obituary Links

Jun 2·2 min read·350 words

Law firm clears first hurdle for Duck Street LED sign

A city planner's error at the meeting cast doubt on owner's plan for an animated waving flag

May 29·1 min read·103 words

A Favorable Draw With Real Teeth: Breaking Down OSU's Tuscaloosa Regional

Alabama's elite rotation and USC Upstate's late-season surge headline a regional that figures to test Holliday's Cowboys early

May 29·6 min read·1140 words

OSU Arrives in Tuscaloosa as One of College Baseball's Hottest Teams

Winners of 13 of their past 17, the Cowboys have found their stride after a season defined by injuries and early adversity

May 26·8 min read·1421 words

Stillwater short-term rental ordinance tabled after operator warns density cap can be gamed

A Stillwater STR operator said the 20 percent density cap could be used to block competition rather than protect neighborhoods — the council agreed it needed more work

May 25·1 min read·162 words

Ride of Silence returns to Stillwater after eight-year hiatus

Held each May in cities worldwide, the silent memorial ride honors cyclists killed or injured on public roads

May 23·6 min read·1105 words

Council approves AI-enabled cameras for 6th and Main, Duck and Hall of Fame

The 6th and Main intersection has been running on a fixed timer since its detection capability failed in April — the new system can detect vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians in real time if enabled

May 22·1 min read·155 words

Stillwater moves to expand phone ban in school zones, revise camping code

The cell phone ordinance expands on state law by prohibiting simply holding a phone in school and construction zones

May 21·1 min read·112 words

Council keeps downtown roundabout, advances rehabilitation in 4-1 vote

Four-way stop conversion would have cost an estimated $174,000 more, according to engineer's analysis

May 19·1 min read·79 words

Before They Hit the Road: Dreamsickle's Send-Off at Velvet Fudge

The Oklahoma metal act played a hometown fundraiser before heading out on their first Texas tour

May 19·1 min read·124 words

Payne County budget board adopts new retirement rates, previews FY 2026-27 budget

Combined county cash accounts stand at about $84.9 million; property tax legislation adds uncertainty to future revenue

May 14·1 min read·29 words

Rattay Caps Volleyball Career With All State Honor — Three-Year Starter Leaves Mark on Program

Lady Pioneer senior leaves the program third all-time in digs, fourth in aces, and a legacy that goes beyond statistics

May 13·1 min read·35 words

One Impromptu DIY Show. Now They Can't Stop.

Isa and Ivan didn't set out to run a music venue inside their Stillwater vintage and skate shop. Then Garden Ants played, and everything changed.

May 13·1 min read·33 words

Payne County set to add second civil attorney starting July 1

Incoming DA Jeremiah Gregory says two part-time attorneys give the county better coverage than one full-time hire

May 12·1 min read·28 words

Stillystock 2026 raises $800 for youth musicians as Dreamsickle prepares for first Texas tour

The fourth annual rock festival drew eight acts, a student band opening set, and headliner Ben Quad returning to Stillwater

May 6·1 min read·34 words

May 2026 Deaths

Death Notices and Obituary Links

May 5·6 min read·1083 words

City Council advances overhaul of Stillwater's short-term rental rules

Proposed ordinance would require licenses in all zoning districts, replace public hearings with administrative review

May 5·10 min read·1839 words

Ritchie Etches His Name in OSU Lore — Walk-Off Homer Caps Three-Homer Night Against TCU

After a rocky middle stretch, Cowboys rally behind Ritchie to claim a series-opening edge over the Horned Frogs

May 2·1 min read·33 words

You pick the books: Stillwater library plans 100-year time capsule for America 250

Community members will nominate and vote on 25 books by American authors to be sealed until 2126

May 1·1 min read·30 words

EV chargers at Stillwater library get a Tesla upgrade — and a reliability reset

New Supercharger units work with any EV sold in the U.S. — but drivers will need the Tesla app to charge

Apr 30·1 min read·35 words

OSU art students bring Stillwater's sister city story to life on the walls of Chris Salmon Plaza

The collaborative project pairs OSU's visual thinking program with the city's ongoing investment in downtown public art

Apr 28·1 min read·34 words

Sangre Ridge earns national kindness designation, chosen from 308 schools across the country

The school's food drive, weekly KIND student recognition, and classroom lessons on empathy helped earn the national honor

Apr 28·1 min read·31 words

The plans to fix Lake Carl Blackwell dam are ready. The $22 million to build them isn't.

A former city manager has spent months pushing OSU and state regulators for answers.

Apr 27·11 min read·2166 words

Stillwater to close city jail, projects more than $1 million in annual savings under county agreement

Thirteen civilian positions eliminated as city transfers prisoner housing to Payne County Jail beginning July 1

Apr 26·1 min read·32 words

Win No. 500 — How the Holliday Name Became Synonymous With OSU Baseball

Mentors, milestones, and a family identity that began in an 11-month-old's first trip to Stillwater.

Apr 24·22 min read·4247 words

Stillwater mayor warns property tax cuts could threaten city's bond obligations

FY27 budget projects growth on historic manufacturing and trade activity, but mayor warns property tax proposals could put Stillwater's bonds at risk

Apr 21·7 min read·1262 words

Phillips Shines, Bullpen Falters as Cowboys Fall 9-6 to Kansas

Dariel Osoria's fifth-inning grand slam erases a four-run OSU lead, dealing the Cowboys their first home series loss of the season

Apr 21·1 min read·31 words

Cowboys split wild doubleheader with Kansas, fall in series finale

Rhodes delivers five shutout innings in Game 1 before Voegele's 15-strikeout gem evens series in Game 2

Apr 20·1 min read·27 words

Meylan Masters the Moment — No. 19 OSU Upends No. 1 Oklahoma 6-4

Senior ace throws 133 pitches, strikes out nine in complete-game performance at Devon Park

Apr 18·6 min read·1013 words

SHS students claim FCCLA state titles; board reorganizes for 'big year'

The two SHS juniors will head to Washington, D.C., in July; the board also certified Dillin's re-election and pushed forward on Phase 1 athletic construction

Apr 16·8 min read·1546 words

Cowgirls Brace for Bedlam Showdown Against Top-Ranked Sooners

Big 12 Player of the Week Aubrey Jones and pitcher Ruby Meylan headline a Cowgirls squad seeking national legitimacy

Apr 16·1 min read·27 words

Phillips delivers in relief as Cowboys top Sooners 7-3 in Bedlam clash

Smithwick hits two home runs as OSU's offense powers eight-inning win in Tulsa

Apr 15·1 min read·25 words

'He's the one': Wyatt Flores' bandmates on the night of his surprise Hall of Fame honor

'No one in the band knew' — Flores and bandmates on the award, the debut of "Half the Man," and what it felt like to lean on each other

Apr 15·8 min read·1577 words

Bedlam at a Crossroads — Thin pitching depth and an uneven offense meet a surging OU squad at ONEOK Field

OU has outscored OSU 21-2 over the past two Bedlam meetings, flipping the script in a rivalry the Cowboys long dominated

Apr 15·1 min read·41 words

Down to their last strike, Cowboys outlast Kansas State 12-10 in 13 innings

Shull's three-run blast in ninth sparks comeback

Apr 14·1 min read·20 words

Stillwater native Wyatt Flores honored with Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Rising Star Award

Flores joins Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, and The All-American Rejects among past Rising Star honorees.

Apr 13·5 min read·883 words

Three OSU students presented competing designs for final Chris Salmon Plaza mural, all honoring Kameoka sister city relationship

Reveal set for April 24 as city also seats new Public Art Committee

Apr 13·7 min read·1360 words

Cowboys Squander Five-Run Lead, Fall to Kansas State 13-9

Bullpen collapse and two eighth-inning errors doom OSU in Manhattan

Apr 12·1 min read·19 words

Rare 50-year-old album connects two generations of Stillwater music and business

When KICKER founder Steve Irby walked into Velvet Fudge with a sealed 1974 album, two Stillwater business stories found their common soundtrack

Apr 9·10 min read·1809 words

Francisco get First Homer, But Cowboys Drop 10-9 Thriller to ORU

The OSU catcher's first career home run in an OSU uniform gave the Cowboys a brief lead — one they couldn't hold

Apr 9·1 min read·33 words

The Cimarron Songbird and the Queen of Oklahoma kick off a new season of Block 34 Live

Up next: Stillystock with OKC-based emo band Ben Quad

Apr 8·1 min read·26 words

Notebook: Holliday defends Ritchie After All-American Snub — Cowboys sweep Cincinnati, eye postseason positioning

OSU's star center fielder ranks third nationally in home runs but was left off midseason All-American lists as the Cowboys strengthen their regional bid

Apr 8·1 min read·38 words

Dillin wins re-election to Stillwater school board in landslide

Re-elected board member signals interest in endowment for Google PILOT revenue

Apr 8·1 min read·20 words

Google to pay for new traffic signal at Airport Road and Perkins Road intersection

Stillwater's fastest-growing corridor is getting a long-overdue safety upgrade — at no cost to the city.

Apr 7·1 min read·30 words

2026 Stillwater-area candidate filing guide: Who's running and why it matters

Two county commissioner primaries, a third Means-Ranson matchup, and uncontested wins for DA and district judge

Apr 7·1 min read·27 words

OSU Sweeps Cincinnati 10-4 — Kennedy, Leblanc Anchor Hawksworth's Unconventional Pitching Plan

With ace Hudson Barrett sidelined, pitching coach Blake Hawksworth's two-step opener plan keeps Cincinnati's left-handed lineup in check

Apr 6·1 min read·30 words

From the first scream to the last chord, Release Radar's showcase captured Stillwater

Nine bands, one documentary crew, and a music scene that keeps showing up for itself

Apr 2·1 min read·28 words

Before this musical moment passes, Release Radar OSU wants it on film

A Stillwater student group didn't just throw a concert — they filmed it for the future

Apr 2·1 min read·28 words

April 2026 Deaths

Death Notices and Obituary Links

Apr 1·1 min read·8 words

Bikes, Bands, and a Year-Delayed Music Video: The Sound of Mid South 2026

From a late night dance party to Belle & The Vertigo Waves filming 'DFL' live in the finish line chute, a first-person look at the music of The Mid South

Mar 30·1 min read·43 words

Stillwater's self-described red-headed stepchild found a home at Stonecloud for their album release party

Billy Bonney debuted As The Canyons Roar — recorded live in three hours at Tulsa's Church Studio — to a packed Stillwater crowd

Mar 30·1 min read·37 words

Stillwater High bands perform on USS Midway flight deck in program milestone

127 students made the San Diego trip as the band program's three concert groups traveled together for the first time

Mar 30·1 min read·32 words

One year after Stillwater wildfires, city reports recovery progress and sweeping emergency upgrades

Officials detailed rebuilding numbers, $6.3 million in relief distributed, and a slate of new preparedness tools — including an emergency alert system that's awaiting final federal approval

Mar 27·1 min read·40 words

Stillwater Blanks OKC Storm 3-0 at Pioneer Stadium

D1 commit Condley leads Pioneers with goal, two assists in shutout

Mar 26·1 min read·19 words

Stillwater clears path for $100 million Synthesia Technology chemical plant at Kingspan property

The facility will produce a key ingredient in Kingspan's foam insulation boards using recycled plastic bottles

Mar 25·1 min read·29 words

Cowboys run-ruled by Missouri State — 2 grand glams, Knight's gem hand OSU 16-2 loss

Holliday's pitching plan derailed early as Bears score eight runs in first two innings

Mar 25·1 min read·29 words

Cowgirls Fall to No. 1 UCLA 87-68 in NCAA Tournament Second Round

Despite second-round exit, Cowgirls close Year 4 with first NCAA win under Hoyt and a promising roster returning

Mar 24·1 min read·30 words

Vega Caps Unbeaten Freshman Season with NCAA Title — OSU's 141-Pounder Upsets Top Seed Mendes in Sudden Victory

OSU freshman becomes first undefeated true freshman NCAA champion since 1947

Mar 23·1 min read·29 words

Jax Forrest wins 133-pound title with win against Ohio State's Ben Davino, gives OSU its third national champion

Forrest joins Sergio Vega as the first true freshman to go undefeated and win individual titles since 1947.

Mar 23·1 min read·36 words

Landon Robideau secures 157-pound title with upset of Nebraska's Antrell Taylor

Robideau and Vega become OSU's first pair of freshman national champions, a feat not accomplished since Iowa's Lee and Diakomihalis in 2018

Mar 23·1 min read·33 words

Cowboys Claim Three National Titles at NCAA Championships — Best Team Finish in a Decade for Oklahoma State

Sergio Vega, Landon Robideau, and Jax Forrest each claim individual titles as Oklahoma State posts 131.0 team points in Cleveland

Mar 22·1 min read·38 words

Cowgirls Earn First NCAA Tournament Win of Hoyt Era — Akot, Wooten Carry OSU Past Princeton 82-68

Akot records career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds in dominant second-half performance

Mar 22·1 min read·29 words

Cowboys secure second-place finish heading into final nationals session

OSU secures its best finish in nationals since 2016 heading into the finals round

Mar 21·1 min read·23 words

Forrest, Vega, Robideau, Merrill Reach NCAA Finals — Cowboys in Second With 111.5 Points

Robideau's upset of top-seeded PJ Duke headlines a second day that pushed OSU's tournament record to 34-10

Mar 21·1 min read·31 words

Tourism panel recommends $1.8 million overhaul of Strickland Park ball fields

SEDA vote set for March 23 on funding that would bring turf, LED lighting and facility upgrades to the complex

Mar 18·1 min read·31 words

Guetta's Clutch Performance Lifts Cowboys Past Davidson 84-80 — Freshman delivers season-high 11 points as OSU advances to NIT second round

The 22-year-old veteran of Israel's professional leagues scores 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 21 minutes to help OSU overcome suspensions of Roy, Miller, and Coleman

Mar 18·1 min read·47 words

Six former athletes chosen for OSU's 2026 Hall of Honor induction

Tony Allen, James Washington and Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher headline OSU's upcoming Hall of Honor class

Mar 17·1 min read·25 words

106 Miles, One Hug, One Big Party — Owenreay Finishes Last at Mid South, Gets Biggest Celebration

All Bodies on Bikes athlete completes first-ever century ride after battling asthma, a 20-mile nosebleed, and a depleted water supply

Mar 17·8 min read·1410 words

Cummings, Gomez Villafane, and Freeburn Win at Historic 2026 Mid South — First Standalone Pro Race Delivers Drama Across All Three Categories

Robin Cummings takes the nonbinary title. Nine women enter the finish chute together. Cobe Freeburn edges Cameron Jones by a wheel width in a men's photo finish

Mar 14·8 min read·1479 words

Bobby Wintle built The Mid South around bikes. He built it around music, too.

"Come hang out. It's gonna be so sick."

Mar 11·1 min read·22 words

Five years after the WONDERtorium closed, a new effort is building Stillwater's next children's museum

StillWonder's free spring pop-up series kicked off March 5 — and its roots trace directly back to the museum that came before it

Mar 10·1 min read·38 words

Who to Watch at the 2026 Mid South — A Preview of the First Pro-Only Race in Event History

2026 Edition Brings New Venue, Friday Pro Race to Oklahoma's Red Dirt

Mar 9·1 min read·31 words

March 2026 Deaths

Death Notices and Obituary Links

Mar 3·1 min read·8 words

Watering the garden: Album release show proves Stillwater's scene is alive and loud

Garden Ants brought Stillwater's punk and alt community together for a full-album performance of their debut record, Workhorse.

Mar 3·1 min read·31 words

After last year's wildfire, Stillwater approves new emergency alert system that bypasses opt-in requirement

The system — the same used for AMBER Alerts — sends targeted alerts to every cellphone in a designated area, no sign-up required

Feb 25·1 min read·37 words

Stillwater Police Report 8 Percent Crime Drop, Major Animal Welfare Improvements

Department reports mixed crime trends while animal welfare unit achieves zero euthanizations for space

Feb 24·1 min read·25 words

Doucet's pin paps dominant OSU effort — Cowboys rout No. 7 Iowa 32-11 in historic dual

Doucet's final match at Gallagher-Iba Arena ends in a pin as OSU records its most points in the 60-dual series history

Feb 24·1 min read·37 words

Wildfire documentary 'Together We Are Heavy' set for free Stillwater community screening

The film, formerly titled 'What's Left Is Love,' grew from an event documentary into a portrait of resilience Stillwater showed during the March 2025 wildfires

Feb 22·1 min read·37 words

Peterson, Jayhawks hand OSU fourth-straight loss — 81-69 defeat dims NCAA Tournament hopes

Parsa Fallah leads OSU with 21 points, but Darryn Peterson's 23-point, six-3-pointer night lifts Kansas to series' ninth-straight win

Feb 19·1 min read·32 words

Library unveils digitized fire department archive online

Stillwater Public Library seeks feedback on newly digitized collection spanning decades of firefighting history

Feb 18·1 min read·21 words

Historic Black school project secures 2026 roadmap

Foundation has $125K in hand as visible progress draws community attention to restoration efforts

Feb 18·1 min read·21 words

More Than Vinyl: Velvet Fudge Records Spins Up a New Community Hub in Stillwater

Building Community Beyond the Cash Register

Feb 17·1 min read·20 words

After Drybar Said No, She Built Her Own Blow Dry Bar in Stillwater

After a national franchise said the college town was too small, Amber Fladie opened Blown & Bronzed

Feb 16·1 min read·30 words

'Today felt good': Ritchie’s 3-hit, 2-homer outing powers OSU past No. 23 Vanderbilt in 11-1 run-rule win

OSU's center fielder leads balanced offensive attack in thrashing of Commodores

Feb 16·1 min read·28 words

Breaking Down the Cowboys' Opening Weekend Pitching Plans — Mailbag examines rotation, lineup and freshman impact ahead of challenging slate

From pitching depth to projected lineups, examining key questions as Cowboys open 2026 season in Arlington

Feb 13·1 min read·36 words

'I Wanted to Give Everything I Can' — Pesca's Transformation Sets Tone for OSU Baseball

Bronx native sacrifices old habits, lives in weight room to prepare for pivotal senior campaign

Feb 13·1 min read·30 words

Mayors push Bedlam football revival in mock state legislation

Stillwater's Joyce and Norman's Holman co-authored recommendation at Congress of Mayors, but viral OU Daily video led many to believe proposal was actual state legislation

Feb 11·1 min read·34 words

OnCue Revealed as Major Donor Behind Stillwater's New Public Art Program

Convenience store chain delivers on "sizable donation" city manager teased in January, establishing fund and committee for community artwork

Feb 11·1 min read·30 words

Travis Wins House District 35 Seat With 64% of Vote

Sixth-generation farmer defeats educator Luke Kruse 2,907-1,624, sweeping all five counties for third consecutive election

Feb 11·1 min read·25 words

Holliday Embraces 'Blue-Collar' Mentality for Upcoming Season

Cowboys shift focus ahead to new chapter after turbulent 2025 season

Feb 10·1 min read·18 words

Big 12 Investigating Alleged Anti-Mormon Chants at OSU-BYU Game

BYU coach Kevin Young alleges 'F them Mormons' chants while OSU fans claim 'Ref's a Mormon' was actually chanted after controversial call

Feb 7·1 min read·31 words

Roy's 30-Point Eruption Sparks Court Storm — OSU Stuns No. 16 BYU 99-92

Cowboys secure first Quad 1 victory of season behind shooting guard's season-high performance in Gallagher-Iba Arena

Feb 5·1 min read·29 words

Cowboys Host No. 16 BYU Hunting First Quad 1 Win

Lutz's squad faces elite Cougars offense Wednesday at Gallagher-Iba Arena

Feb 4·1 min read·20 words

Grand opening joy, athletic effort win photo contest

Seven-year-old's Block 34 moment and regional softball game drama win reader vote

Feb 3·1 min read·20 words

Taylor's Friday Challenge Sparks Cowboys' Dominant Response Against Cyclones — No. 5 OSU Rolls Over No. 3 Iowa State 24-9

Late takedowns from Vega, Swiderski, Robideau highlight team's growth in high-stakes dual meet

Feb 2·1 min read·33 words

February 2026 Deaths

Death Notices and Obituary Links

Feb 1·1 min read·8 words

January 2026 Deaths

Death Notices and Obituary Links

Jan 31·1 min read·8 words

Why Karen Hancock Remains in Stillwater 25 Years After Remember the Ten Tragedy

Widow of plane crash victim stays rooted in community that rallied around her

Jan 31·1 min read·26 words

Lockett's Last-Second Heroics Highlight OSU's Dominant Win Over UNI

Freshman seals 6-4 comeback decision with 5 seconds left as No. 5 Cowboys defeat No. 13 Panthers 34-3

Jan 31·1 min read·27 words

Payne County passes resolution urging decommissioning bonds for wind, solar, data centers

Commissioners also approved agreement joining state's OKWIN emergency radio network; resolution calls for financial assurance equal to construction costs

Jan 30·1 min read·31 words

City Council advances formal public art program

Ordinance would create 9-member committee, establish fund for donations; community partner commits sizable gift

Jan 30·1 min read·21 words

'You Really Screwed Up' — How a 5 a.m. Walk With Mike Holder Changed Gajewski's Approach to 11th Season

OSU softball coach abandons lofty preseason predictions, implements toughest fall camp since first season after regional exit

Jan 29·1 min read·36 words

Cowgirls Picked Second in Big 12 Preseason Poll — Meylan, Davis earn All-Conference honors ahead of 2026 season

Gajewski's squad ranked behind reigning national runner-up Texas Tech with season opener three weeks away

Jan 29·1 min read·33 words

Breaking Down OSU's 2026 Schedule — Game-by-Game Analysis of Morris' First Season

Big 12 releases full conference schedules with Cowboys facing challenging slate after 1-11 campaign

Jan 29·1 min read·26 words

OSU Wrestling Midseason Report Card — Cowboys' 10-1 start fueled by freshman breakouts and veteran leadership

A revamped Cowboys lineup continues to pass early tests under David Taylor

Jan 28·1 min read·28 words

Historic Library Building to Become Boutique Hotel with $1M TIF Assistance

Former library at 206 W. 6th Avenue will be transformed into 15-room Bookend Hotel with bar and event space, targeting September opening

Jan 28·1 min read·33 words

USA Rare Earth secures $1.6 billion in federal funding for Stillwater magnet plant

Federal commitment follows $7 million local incentive as company abandons experimental mining technology for conventional methods

Jan 27·1 min read·29 words

Panelists address sexual violence, domestic abuse in community discussion

Experts stressed the importance of safety planning for abuse victims and supporting survivors when they come forward

Jan 26·1 min read·26 words

'We're in This Together': Four Bands Unite Stillwater Crowd

Slice of Life made their debut alongside The Color Opium, Sundrift and Ugly Cowboys at Release Radar OSU's first show of 2026

Jan 25·1 min read·31 words

Inaugural community survey identifies housing, mental health as Stillwater priorities

More than 400 residents participated in inaugural survey; foundation aims for broader representation in 2026

Jan 22·1 min read·25 words

Cowboys Squander 7-Point Lead, Lose to TCU 68-65

Miller's corner three misses the mark as Cowboys fall to 2-4 in Big 12 play

Jan 21·1 min read·23 words

Youth voices lead Stillwater's MLK Jr. Day celebration

Nine young speakers shared messages of kindness and equality during community event at Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Jan 20·1 min read·25 words

OSU Baseball Loaded With Talent Heading Into 2026 Season — 11 Cowboys earn Perfect Game top-100 recognition across all four classes

Brueggemann rated No. 9 returning senior as Ritchie, Thompson and eight other Cowboys earn national recognition

Jan 19·1 min read·37 words