Latest news with #Stillwater
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stillwater News Press to hold open house for new location
On Thursday, Stillwater News Press will host an open house to the public. The open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the News Press building located at 502 S. Duck Street. The open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The building is new to the press but not to Stillwater. Built in 1908, the 2,900-square-foot building was originally a home before hosting many commercial interests. Known locally as the Berry House, it was built by James. E. Berry, who would go on to serve at Lt. Governor. It was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The modern day Stillwater News Press is a successor of the merger of many other newspapers. The News Press dates back to the weekly Stillwater Advance as well as the Stillwater Daily Democrat. Stillwater Advance was established in 1892, 15 years before Oklahoma became an official state. Stillwater Advance held up against other newspaper competitors. Adding to the early success, I.O. Diggs purchased the Daily Democrat and combined the two papers, which gained much traction. Shortly after, Diggs sold the papers and migrated west to California. One of Diggs' successors was G.R. Gould, the father of "Dick Tracy" creator Chester Gould. After three different purchases of the paper after Diggs, the name was changed from Stillwater Advance to Payne County News. After an ownership change once again, in 1929 E.E 'Hook' Johnson became the new publisher of the paper. C.R. Bellatti and R.M. Bellatti became part owners. The Bellattis and Johnson combined the Stillwater Daily press and the Stillwater Daily news to make what is now Stillwater News Press. C.R. Bellatti was the publisher of Stillwater News Press for a long period. The Bellatti family was dedicated to pushing out news to the north-central part of the state for many years. The Bellatti Family had much success for over 50 years. In 1997, Stillwater News Press was sold by the Bellatti family to Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., a local news provider in 1997. Currently owned by CNHI, Stillwater News Press continues to carry on the legacy and history that transformed the way the north-central part of Oklahoma receives news today. Moving into a new location brings new adventure and opportunities to continue to tell stories of greatness and allows the community to be a part of a rich story that continues on throughout many generations.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stillwater's Ethan Holliday named 2025 Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year
Stillwater High School's Ethan Holliday is the 2025 Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of the Year, the company announced Tuesday. The top-ranked prospect for the upcoming MLB draft according to Holliday helped Stillwater reach the Class 6A state tournament and finished his senior season with a .611 batting average, 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. Advertisement The 6-foot-4, 215-pound shortstop also had a 1.295 slugging percentage and scored 57 runs as Stillwater finished with a 25-8 record. Holliday, the son of former big leaguer Matt Holliday, is signed with Oklahoma State. He is the younger brother of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday, who won the Gatorade award in 2022 before getting selected first overall in the draft. More: Meet The Oklahoman's 2025 All-City high school boys tennis first team Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@ or on Twitter at @nicksardis . Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at . This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ethan Holliday named 2025 Gatorade Oklahoma Baseball Player of Year
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elite Repeat passes $5 million in giving
Some people don't realize they're in a resale shop. Maybe they figure it out at the register. It's a destination for thrifty shoppers, but don't call it a thrift store. Elite Repeat, a Main Street boutique that sells donated goods and in turn donates proceeds back to the community, has hit another milestone of giving. It surpassed the $5 million donation mark in May as it is celebrating its 23rd anniversary in business. That mark was met with $12,000 presented to the Stillwater Public Education Foundation, said Elite Repeat Board President Marilyn Herr. Herr credits the store's continued success to the volunteers who share their time or donations, as well as the organizational skills of the managers. She credits the department-store style organizing to merchandizing manager Marge Overholt, who has been there two decades. Overholt credits the volunteers for their sense of propriety. 'One of the reasons behind these departments and one of the reasons that keeps people committed (to volunteering) is the ownership they feel,' she said. ''My store.' It's that department head, and that's their area and they have pride in it.' Harris said Elite Repeat usually has about 70-75 volunteers at time, and it takes 40-50 volunteers to cover two shifts a week day and one shift on Saturday. They have eight husband-wife pairs, and even a jewelry manager who comes in twice a week from Yukon. What people are interested in is usually cyclical or seasonal, but clothing and linens are usually the biggest sellers. The clothing can range from designer labels to vintage, the latter of which has become trendy among younger customers. People might be drawn to the store from the stylish window displays and even once inside, they might not understand how it all works. 'We don't believe this is a thrift store,' Overholt. 'We tell the old story about the man who came in and whispered, 'I think these shoes has been worn.' I said, 'I think you're right.'' The beneficiaries change as the need changes. Usually Elite Repeat provide funds to Our Daily Bread Food & Resource Center, Mission of Hope Homeless Shelter, MPower, Wings of Hope Domestic Violence Services, Habitat for Humanity and Lions Meadows of Hope among others. The request period opens in September and closes in November. Herr said she was concerned that some cuts to federal grants might increase the need even more. Overholt said she has noticed an increase from those needing food. 'Weekend Food Sacks, they've kept the cost down amazingly, but the number of people who need it keeps going up. So, has Our Daily Bread, it keeps going up,' she said. One thing they don't really worry about is outgrowing the space. It's not for the lack of donations that come in, they just feel they have the right balance between intake and what should go out on the floor at any time. They're grateful for what they can give and what they receive. 'People want to bring things to us because they know we will respect their donation,' Overholt said. Elite Repeat, 711 South Main St., opens 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closing at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. Saturday.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Stillwater pays tribute to fallen service members during Memorial Day ceremony
Hundreds gathered in Stillwater on Monday to honor fallen service members during the city's 21st annual Memorial Day ceremony. The event, hosted by the Stillwater Veterans Memorial Committee, featured a flyover by a formation of several T-6 aircraft — one piloted by a former astronaut. The final pass, known as the "Missing Man" formation, paid tribute to those who never returned home from war. "It is Memorial Day, as you just said, and we are the Stillwater Veterans Memorial," said Rachel Kozlowski, vice chair of the memorial committee. "The board puts on a celebration every year to commemorate our lost veterans and people killed in action during war, and so people from the Stillwater area [and] St. Croix Valley area come to commemorate our lost soldiers." Attendees filled the plaza near the memorial to hear remarks from Colonel Mark Vangsness and performances from the Stillwater Area High School band and choir. Kozlowski said the turnout reflects the community's deep respect for military service. "It means an incredible amount. Stillwater and Stillwater area people really show up for their community," she said. "This specifically means a lot because we have a huge turnout. It's very incredible and heartwarming." The committee also announced plans to expand the memorial site, citing a surge in the number of engraved pavers purchased to honor veterans. The $250,000 project aims to add more space and continue honoring local service members. "We've had such a demand for pavers, we're running out of room," said a board member and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. "So we are launching an expansion in the next few years…hopefully be able to accommodate all those who want to celebrate their veterans." He emphasized the true purpose of the day. "Today is for those who never got out of the uniform," he said. "We just want to make sure they know, and their families know, that their service is certainly never forgotten." The Stillwater Veterans Memorial Committee is raising funds through events, including its annual St. Croix River boat cruise in August.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SPS district plans demolition for current high school
Parts of the current Stillwater High School are slated for demolition after the new high school is completed, Stillwater Public Schools said in a news release. The Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to demolish the old high school after the district completed a feasibility study of the building. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Bo Gamble, speaking to the Board on behalf of a Long Range Facility Planning Executive Committee, presented a recommendation for demolition of the current SHS. Gamble said the decision is the best economically for the district, but demolition won't begin until after the new high school is operational, and the district plans on keeping some existing structures such as the Fieldhouse and the Performing Arts Center. 'Retiring district facilities is not without precedent in the district,' Gamble said in a statement. 'SPS has seen several high schools – Alcott School, Horace Mann, South High and North, and other facilities like Hamilton Field and the original Will Rogers, Westwood and Highland Park have either been demolished or sold to other organizations. Nevertheless, this was not an easy decision for the committee to make.' The planning committee met over a three-month period as they reviewed the study and considered options, finally determining it "would not be economically efficient to maintain or remodel that facility for other purposes." 'We know there's a lot of history there,' Gamble said. 'But the building is past its functional lifespan. While updates to the front help the existing structure look good and tie it in with newer structures like the Fieldhouse and Performing Arts Center, our students and staff know that the age of that facility is apparent to those inside, and repairs to the facility are becoming cost prohibitive. Repurposing the existing structure for any purpose would have come with a significant cost, and would not be economically viable.' The change will also allow the district to plan for future projects for extracurricular spaces. 'The current SHS, of course, has the longest legacy of housing our Pioneers, but now the time has come for a new facility to serve our students into the future,' Gamble said. The committee will discuss integrating ninth graders at the high school campus 'in accordance with the Board of Education's established grade reconfiguration plan." Gamble said the new high school's capacity would accommodate freshmen through seniors, and said initial discussions with Director of Secondary Education Ashley Moore and High School Principal Walter Howell about adding the ninth grade class to the high school configuration have already begun. The committee's recommendation will include 'a timeline for that change and the planned shifts in grade configuration at SJHS, SMS and the elementary schools,' the district said. The current grade configuration includes elementary: Pre-K-5; Stillwater Middle School: grades 6-7; Stillwater Junior High: grades 8-9; and SHS: grades 10-12. The district said the Board's 2021 approved grade configuration – with a start date to be determined – is as follows: – Elementary: Pre-K–4 – SMS: Grades 5–6 – SJHS: Grades 7–8 – SHS: Grades 9–12 'This is a transformative moment for our district,' Acting Superintendent Janet Vinson said. 'We're building an exceptional high school building that meets the needs of today's students and laying the groundwork for the campus we'll need in the future, while also creating a more connected, efficient and student-centered system across all grade levels.'
