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Hey Lawton, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: McMahon Memorial Auditorium renovations, AI tax scam warnings from Arvest Bank, and Park Stomp bluegrass festival kickoff + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Lawton protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Project timeline back on track: Renovations at Lawton’s McMahon Memorial Auditorium are about 75% complete, city officials say, with upgraded HVAC, new stairwells, larger restrooms, and an elevator expected by May 15 — learn what’s included and when.

Stay ahead of evolving scams: Arvest Bank urges Lawton residents to guard against tax-related identity theft as criminals use AI phishing and fake texts. Consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN and a trusted tax preparer — get tips to prevent fraud.

Kickoff to festival season: Up the road from Lawton, Park Stomp will bring three days of bluegrass to Medicine Park March 13 to 15 with family friendly performances from Grasscrack, The Steppers, and more — see tips and full lineup.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Pamper kids with a mini spa day
• Create pirate treasures during spring break
• Attend AARP Smart Driver class

🫶 We got your back

Bagels that hit different: Lunch needs a no-drama upgrade. Heritage Farm & Ranch Market offers fresh bagel sandwiches, house-made quick breads, cheesecakes, pies, and other locally sourced treats, satisfying midday cravings while keeping your brain and taste buds happy… simple, tasty, and reliably fresh.

Stretch your legs here: Between lakeside paths, StoryWalk pages, and room to actually hear yourself think, Elmer Thomas Park makes an easy midweek reset. Bring coffee, a frisbee, or the chaos gremlins; splash pad and playgrounds soak up energy, not your patience.

For your inner kid: Need a midweek pick-me-up for the kids (and, let’s be honest, you)? At Carolina Comics, browse shelves of action figures, board games, minis, and fresh comic drops, plus friendly locals ready to nerd out. Ideal fuel for a living room game night upgrade.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧶 Knot Your Average Stitch Group @ Amethyst & Ink Books | Tuesday (3/10) at 1:00 PM – Knot Your Average Stitch Group is taking over Amethyst & Ink Books for low-key fiber therapy, no appointment needed. Bring your crochet, knitting, embroidery, or whatever keeps you sane, and raid the Free Yarn Library, because stash guilt loves company. Free, friendly, genuinely soothing.

🍞 A Way to Wellness @ Lawton Food Bank | Friday (3/13) at 9:00 AM – Skip the juice cleanse and join a free, 8-week wellness workshop at Lawton Food Bank, featuring one-hour, hands-on sessions with neighbors. Get a produce basket, a LATS bus pass, tools to prevent diabetes and heart disease, plus support to lose up to 5 percent.

🐰 Spring Portraits with Live Bunnies @ Scott’s House of Flowers | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Pop into Scott’s House of Flowers in Lawton for spring portraits with real bunnies, no appointment, no session fee, just stroll into the greenhouse. They’ll shoot, you’ll proof on site, and order prints or digitals as you like. The kids cooperate, miraculously.

📸 Class of 2026 Senior Mini Sessions @ Lawton Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 9:30 AM – Class of 2026, skip mall backdrops and get a free senior mini session at the Main Library with Through Movement Photography, six images included, more available at a discount. Bring tassel, cap, gown, or that letterman jacket you still claim fits, and register March 1.

🔬 STEM Saturday @ FISTA STEM Lab & Makerspace | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – FISTA’s STEM Saturday is turning the makerspace into a kid-powered lab with come-and-go projects in science, tech, engineering, and math. Free for students, easy for parents and grandparents, downtown. Drop in, let the kids or grandkids tinker, you supervise with coffee, then claim credit.

🍀 Catch the Leprechaun @ FISTA STEM Lab & Makerspace | Monday (3/16) at 2:00 PM – Your small humans are engineering pulley-powered leprechaun traps at the FISTA STEM Lab in Lawton, learning simple machines, teamwork, and the fine art of outsmarting mischief, so your coffee table can finally catch a break. It’s free for grades 2–5, just email [email protected] to register.

🔬 Spring Break STEM Camp @ FISTA STEM Lab & Makerspace | Tuesday (3/17) at 9:00 AM – Got a 4th or 5th grader climbing the walls on Spring Break? Drop them at FISTA’s STEM Lab for two free mornings of 3D printing, laser-cut tinkering, and teamwork, while you enjoy coffee, errands, or remembering what silence sounds like. Email to snag a spot.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lawton report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 85°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 58%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 54, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. South wind 7 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of rain showers. Sunny, with a high near 68. North northwest wind 6 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm. Clear, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Oklahoma but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This meticulously updated Lawton stunner sits in sought-after Oak Ridge, pairing warm open living spaces with a chef-worthy kitchen. Quartz countertops, a dream pantry, new appliances, and a never-used double oven set the tone. Generous bedrooms feature large walk-in closets, two share a Jack and Jill bath. A tidy yard adds effortless outdoor appeal. Craftsmanship rivals new construction.

Take a peek inside →