---- AN OVERVIEW ----
In Sulphur, 2025 was a year when tornado recovery began in earnest, stalled, then began again. Nationally, money begins to flow as legislation offers disaster relief for devastated communities like Sulphur.
Like a bad penny, tornado news keeps turning up, especially as weather news in the Spring for several months triggers painful memories of the 2024 storm in April.
Sulphur and Murray County were repeatedly pounded by severe storms from March to early June. Also, in early January, a near-record snowstorm struck the area.
The Sulphur Public Schools had mixed challenges and successes this year, as they recovered from heavy losses after the storm last year. The ongoing new construction at the high school was able to continue without a lot of interruption. The schools were still battling insurance companies about tornado-related claims. However, financially the school’s condition is sound. The high school had a near-record 110 graduates this year. The senior class was also commended for its academic achievements on ACT scores.
At the year’s end, the SHS Bulldog football team came about as close to a state championship as its possible to get! In a very close contest, Sulphur had to settle for a Silver Ball as Lincoln Christian retained the champi-onship. Sulphur’s season overall was excellent, with an undefeated early season for the first time in a generation. This was followed by victories throughout the playoffs.
As the year began, stories started to describe special recognition for citizens and organizations locally that responded in the recovery efforts after the tornado last year.
In March, the sale of the iconic Sooner Foods market in Sulphur was announced by then managing partner, Kemper Howe, to Trey Clinkenbeard, of Comanche.
In May, the community came together for a “Sulphur Strong” event at the Plaza downtown remembering the tornado a year ago. Also during the month, figures became available for damage estimates from the storm. The city and county losses totaled $64 million.An estimated 68 business were destroyed or damaged in the 2024 tornado.
Among the many tornado recovery stories this year was the amazing success of the CNRA’s efforts. To illustrate this, there was a summer series of five photo- feature articles about CNRA’s recovery from the 2024 tornado. Also, Neil Mayo related a detailed story about the early history of the Antelope and Buffalo Springs that feed the streams in the park, and how they came to be protected for public use.
In the devastated downtown area, the Mix Mercantile reopened Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 just about on schedule with a beautiful new building on West Muskogee Ave., across from the city Plaza.
The DeArman Funeral Home, which was destroyed, has rebuilt and held a community Open House in November. Several other businesses in the area are rebuilding, too.
The City of Sulphur and the City Council dealt with issues related to the City Charter during the year. The council members proposed four new propositions for charter changes, but the voters rejected all four in a special election in October.
Another issue at the city was the fact that no major street paving project has been completed in the last seven years, even though money is available for these projects in a designated fund.
Law enforcement was busy during the year with several marijuana grow facility busts. One of these included 64 agents participating.
An Overview
Resignations in the community this year included longtime County Assessor Scott Kirby after serving more than 27 years in the job.
There also was the resignation of Associate District Judge Mark Melton, effective Sept. 30, 2025. In December, Fire Chief Pete Haines announced his retirement as well.
Several new laws passed this year were described, starting in Spring after Gov. Stitt completed signing the legislation.Among the many stories in the paper on the topic of new laws were announcements of laws that protect kids; that make local code enforcements easier and more effective; and several education-related measures, including a law that prohibits cell phone use during school hours.
On the national stage, President Trump’s efforts to change the direction of the Ship of State were commented on by columnists, especially Congressman Tom Cole and U. S. Senator Markwayne Mullin.
In other national news, Sulphur seemed little affected by the longest government shutdown. CNRA made local news as an article in October detailed how the shutdown affected the park, as some areas were closed.
This year it seems there were a lot of fatal vehicle accidents and suicides reported in this area. In late July a story reported that “12 people have died in the last week and weekend around the state in accidents and drowning.” Six of these died in this area.
Among several reports of high-speed chases and vehicle accidents, there were two suicides reported after traffic stops by officers.
Finally, there is one topic mercifully absent from the news this year — COVID-19! In fact there is just one item, in December, that has it in the page two story headline. The article describes how 21 state lawmakers requested the attorney general “to investigate the state’s COVID-19 response and hospital protocols during the pandemic.”
As 2026 dawns, we bid farewell to the first quarter of this century. Next year, the Nation will observe its 250th birthday.
God Bless America!
