Good morning, Lawton.

Lawton Heritage Association will offer photos with Santa at the Historic Mattie Beal Home on Dec.

7 from 2 to 4 p.m.—visitors will enjoy balloon animals, Christmas stories, crafts and a special treat with admission at $5 per person or $20 per family, and payment is accepted in cash, checks or Venmo.

The Chisholm Trail Kiwanis Club will host its 4th annual Kiddieland Express Holiday Experience for families during the first two weekends in December from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fuqua Park, where kids will enjoy rides (a carousel, a bounce house, and a train ride) and get a chance to meet Santa.

House of Bread in Lawton is continuing its Hope for Christmas program to support local community members during the holiday season—this effort remains part of the organization’s annual tradition.

Western Oklahoma saw one new oil rig added last week, raising the total to 42 rigs - two fewer than the 44 active a year ago.

The Cana-Woodford play remained the most active with 16 rigs and Granite Wash gained two rigs to reach 14.

Two Lawton natives at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy returned home for Thanksgiving and spoke at the Great Plains AMBUCS meeting about their military paths—offering advice to local families.

They held a town hall meeting on November 25 at Central Middle School to share their experiences and guide students considering service academies.

Fort Sill command sergeant major Jared English urged service members and their families to support one another during a difficult holiday season—military family life counselors and chaplains on and off post are available for help.

He encouraged service members to check on each other and use these resources to ease the challenges they face.

Shawn Black, the new executive director of OETA, leads the PBS network as it loses federal CPB funding and now turns to state money and public donations.

The network secured $2.95M from the Legislature for FY26 and will hold fundraising events at the end of November and in March—efforts aimed at keeping its service running in all 77 counties.

The City of Lawton will host its inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec.

4 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the lobby of Lawton City Hall.

Elegant Night at Comedy Avenue

7-9 p.m. — Comedy Avenue — $15 — Enjoy a classy evening filled with laughter and free snacks while dressed to impress.

PMP Certification Training in Lawton, OK

Dec 23-26, 9 AM-5 PM — Lawton Oklahoma, 103 SW 4th St — Early Bird pricing available — Gain essential skills and knowledge for aspiring project managers in a structured 32-hour interactive classroom setting.