By John Dobberstein, Editor
It was once again a big year for news in Broken Arrow, in both positive and negative ways. The city continued to grow and attract new businesses, including the $93 million, 12,500-seat amphitheater by Venu.
Some residents expressed concern, however, about the increasing population overwhelming schools and city services, especially in Wagoner County – where more than 80% of its households are in Broken Arrow. The City Council has commissioned studies of Broken Arrow’s water system, housing supply and zoning ordinances as it continues to plan for future growth.
As we look ahead to a new year, here’s a look at the Top 10 news stories in Broken Arrow for 2024 from the Broken Arrow Sentinel.
1) 4 dead in Broken Arrow murder-suicide
A 911 call from inside a residence last July led to police finding four people inside dead from a likely murder-suicide. BAPD investigators said Jacob Haas, 26, fatally shot his 21-year-old brother, 76-year-old grandfather and 55-year-old aunt before turning the gun on himself. No less than 14 people – including children and adults — have died in murder-suicides in Broken Arrow since 2022, which has increased calls from some for additional mental health resources for students and adults.
2) New Reasor’s grocery store in Broken Arrow opens
In many cities, such an event might not be a major deal. But Reasor’s closure of its New Orleans Square location several years ago infuriated residents and city leaders. The chain’s new owner, Brookshire Grocery Co., made up for it this summer, though, with the grand opening of a new store in the Aspen Ridge Development near 121st Street and the Creek Turnpike. High School cheerleaders, live entertainment and an oversized motorized shopping cart were notable parts of the event for the store, which spans more than 60,000 square feet.
3) Alleged police misconduct, chief’s retirement lead to tumultuous year at BAPD
After a uniformed Broken Arrow police officer was filmed by neighbors last year abusing a neighbor’s dog, the department was beset with disciplinary problems that spilled into 2024. Allegations of public drunkenness, theft, child abuse and civil rights violations resulted in several officers retiring, resigning or being fired. After Chief Brandon Berryhill retired in October, the city hired Lance Arnold as the 10th chief in the department’s history. Arnold was the police chief in Weatherford, Texas and previously worked for the Norman Police Department.
4) Longtime BA band director steps down
Darrin Davis announced in June he was stepping down as director of bands for BAPS to focus his time directing fine arts programs at the district. Davis spent 31 years with the district’s band programs, and his name has become synonymous with The Pride of Broken Arrow as he’s led the high school marching band to national acclaim. “I don’t think of this as the end of what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve done. It’s just a new start and a new beginning for another chapter,” Davis told the BAPS Board of Education after State Rep. Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow) presented a Citation of Recognition to him.
5) Ground broken on entertainment destinations in Broken Arrow, Coweta
Are Broken Arrow and Coweta threatening to become the next entertainment destination in Oklahoma? It seems like that’s the case: ground was broken this fall on the $93 million, 12,500-seat Sunset Amphitheater in Broken Arrow being developed by Venu (formerly Notes Live). Officials say construction of the venue will be finished in fall 2025. And the Muscogee Creek Nation announced plans to build a $100 million hotel and casino just outside of Coweta on land the tribe purchased last year. Community opposition emerged to both projects over concerns about traffic, noise and crime, but it wasn’t enough to stop the projects from happening.
6) Broken Arrow’s beloved grain elevator ‘Mac’ bought by city
Earlier this year, the Broken Arrow Sentinel broke the story that the towering grain elevator in the Rose District would be auctioned off by the owners, Hansen-Mueller, to the highest bidder during a public auction. The city of Broken Arrow was narrowly edged out in the bidding by milliseconds by BornAgain Restore, but the grain marketing company opted to sell the structure to the city instead for $250,000, the same offer made by the top bidder. There are no immediate plans for major development of the structure, which is located on an irregularly shaped parcel adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad.
7) Executive Director at Museum Broken Arrow abruptly resigns
After spending only a couple of months on the job, The Museum Broken Arrow’s executive director, Janna Rogers, abruptly resigned in May. Rogers, an independent scholar and researcher who founded the Oklahoma Native American Network Cross-Cultural Forums, declined to comment on the decision, although emails obtained by the Sentinel showed there was some friction between the museum’s Board of Directors and Rogers. It was the third executive director to step down at the museum in the last 3 years. It’s unclear who is currently serving as director, as only three associates are listed as employees on the museum’s website.
8) ‘Titan’ in Oklahoma politics, Jim Inhofe, passes
Jim Inhofe, the longest-serving U.S. senator in Oklahoma history whose political career spanned more than six decades, passed away in July from a sudden illness. He was 89. The U.S. Army veteran and former Tulsa mayor was a conservative firebrand perhaps known best for support the U.S. military, especially during his time serving on the Armed Services Committee and chaired the Environment and Public Works Committee. He rankled many Democrats when he called climate change a “hoax” but he was also a major proponent of transportation and infrastructure projects and would sometimes step across the aisle to get business done.
9) Incumbents fall, some receive scare in ’24 elections
It was a year of change in the political landscape, not just in the U.S. or Oklahoma but in Broken Arrow as well. BA City Council member Christi Gillespie won a tough primary against Shelley Gwartney and easily outdistanced her Democrat opponent, Bob Willis, to win the District 33 State Senate seat. Nathan Dahm, the incumbent, was term limited. Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott withstood a stiff primary challenge from Grand River Dam Authority police supervisor Tyler Cooper and was re-elected, and State Rep. Dean Davis (R-Broken Arrow) was unseated in District 98 by Gabe Woolley.
10) Clayton Woolley custody case trudges on
The quest by Clayton Woolley’s family to re-gain custody of him continued in 2024. His grandparents Bill and Lisa Woolley, once charged in the death of his brother Elijah before the charges were dropped, alleged during a press conference this summer that Clayton’s custody and care were being mishandled by a the State of Oklahoma and a foster parent. Two days later, Department of Health and Human Services Director Debra Shropshire resigned. Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp said the investigation surrounding Elijah’s death in 2018 is still active.
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