By John Dobberstein, Editor
From data centers to mosques to shopping centers, construction and development dominated the news in Broken Arrow this year and it’s unlikely that will change much in 2026.
Broken Arrow’s population increased to an estimated 123,000 people, making it the fourth-largest city in the state behind Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman. Bixby, Jenks and Coweta also continued to add population, with all having strong performances with housing starts and new retail projects coming on board.
The “Creek Turnpike Corridor” also shined on the gridiron, as Bixby won its 8th straight state title with a victory over Owasso, Broken Arrow High School made it to the OSSAA semifinals in Coach Travis Hill’s first year and Coweta High School finished with a 9-2 record.
There were also some tragedies that caused heartache in 2025, as well as some controversial projects that will likely stay in the news in the coming year.
Here are the Top 10 stories in Broken Arrow, Coweta, Tulsa and vicinity for 2025, as judged by reader interest and impact to BA and beyond.
1. Mosque, Retail Center Proposed for Broken Arrow: More than 200 people packed Broken Arrow City Hall for a 4-hour public hearing before the city’s Planning Commission about the mosque and retail center proposed by the Islamic Society of Tulsa. After the Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning application and use permit, the Broken Arrow City Council will hold a public hearing on this project Jan. 20 at Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus. Approval of the requests would open the door for preliminary site plans to be developed on the 15-acre site along Olive Avenue, just south of the Creek Turnpike. If the project is turned down it’s unclear what recourse would be available for the Muslim organization, which spent $650,000 in 2014 to buy the tract.
2. Large Data Center Proposed for Coweta: Developer Beale Infrastructure has proposed a data center to be constructed on the south side of Coweta, between Highway 72 and Highway 51B in a project that could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Details of the final development agreement are still pending, but the company has promised $5 million annually to taxing jurisdictions once the project is fully built out. But residents have voice concerns the data center’s potential to monopolize water and electricity and potentially force an increase in utility rates to PSO customers. A public hearing before the Coweta Planning Commission is slated for Jan. 19.
3. Home Depot, Trader Joe’s Highlight Retail Momentum: For shopping fans, 2025 was a stellar year. The city announced Home Depot would build a store to anchor the $98 million Hackberry Market retail center at the northeast corner of Tucson Street and Aspen Avenue, joined by Hobby Lobby, Burlington and T.J. Maxx. The city also announced Home Goods will be locating in the Adams Creek Town Center in north Broken Arrow, and nearby, Trade Joe’s opened its doors. Construction momentum also picked up for the $103 million Sunset Amphitheater in southeast Broken Arrow being developed by Venu. The 12,500-seat facility is slated to open in fall 2026.
4. Petition Drive Targeting Wagoner County Sheriff, Prosecutor Falls Short: A district judge quashed a grand jury petition targeting Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott and District Attorney Jack Thorp, ruling the organization who filed the request fell short of the required signatures to move forward. Wagoner County Citizens Against Corruption gathered 3,730 certified signatures out of about 4,100 total collected, but Pittsburgh County District Judge Michael Hogan ruled WCCAC was short by 570 signatures due to them needing 16% of the 26,870 votes cast in the last gubernatorial election in Wagoner County.
5. Struggling with Familicide: Spring Murder-Suicide Marks 19 Family Deaths in 2 Years: The Broken Arrow Police Department was serving a warrant in May while investigating a missing persons case and found the bodies of Rodney Shippy, 58, his daughter Alyssa Diane Shippy, 20, and son Logan Shippy, 10. The tragic case involving the Shippy family is the latest in a string of murder-suicides in Broken Arrow in recent years.
6. City Council Approves $415 Million List of GO Bond Projects for Vote: The City Council approved a final list of projects to be voted on in the city’s $415 million 2026 general obligation bond election in April. The “Build Our Future BA” projects include 8 propositions, with only one — for sports facilities improvements — requesting a sales tax increase. The other propositions will not increase property taxes if voters approve them in April. Highlights of the proposed projects include street widening, a new public library in south Broken Arrow, expansion of the Rose District Plaza, major improvements to public safety infrastructure, public recreation options and more.
7. Beloved Livestock Shot to Death near BA, Reward Offered: In June, Wagoner County Sheriff’s deputies investigated the deaths of two registered longhorn cows were shot and killed in a field just south of 61st Street and Oneta Road. Handgun shell casings were found near the scene, and the perpetrators may have been driving a small car. As of this month the sheriff’s department hadn’t announced any arrests in the case.
8. Hollywood Finds a Welcoming Home in Broken Arrow, Film Festival Proposed: Broken Arrow has likely been ‘discovered’ by filmmakers, after “Horrified” — a horror/comedy film with big Hollywood stars, elaborately-crafted sets and an expert technical crew — was filmed here this summer. Broken Arrow plans to take another step toward becoming a fine arts destination with a proposal to create and host a film festival and convention next year. The city is being asked to contribute $50,000 toward the startup costs for establishing the Broken Arrow Film Festival & Convention in 2026. The request comes from BA Film Festival LLC, which was formed this month and is registered to Brad Heath of Jenks.
9. Motorcyclist Killed in Accident was Son of Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer: The Broken Arrow Sentinel revealed that Ashton Meyer, a Tulsa man killed during a motorcycle accident Sept. 3 in south Tulsa, was the son of prominent Tulsa meteorologist Travis Meyer. The tragedy led to an outpouring of sympathy and support from fans of the meteorologist. In announcing the funeral arrangements, family said Ashton was “a true original — a lovable teddy bear of a man with a heart as big as the Oklahoma sky. He never met a stranger, and once you knew him you never forgot him.”
10. Holland Hall Teens Killed in Riverside Drive Crash: Mollie Buffington, 17, and Claire Esmond, 16, lost their lives in February when the Tesla their schoolmate was driving exited the northbound lanes on Riverside Drive, just north of 91st Street, hit an embankment and fell into Joe Creek. The family of both girls posted emotional tributes: Mollie was affectionately known to her family and friends as “M”, “Molls”, or “Moo,” and while often quiet and reserved, she was a true “social butterfly” with her friends. Esmond’s parents said Claire had confidence, a sense of humor and a light heart that, “attracted friends and brightened every space you occupied.”
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