What happened in Bartlesville in 2023? Take a look at some of the most notable events
The year 2023 was a remarkable one in many ways, particularly in Bartlesville.
City swimming pools failed to open during the summer due to the ongoing drought and resulting water restrictions.
The iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Price Tower was sold to a local company promising to breathe life into the historic property.
The Washington County GOP splintered off into two warring factions over the party's principles. And state officials announced the development of a $2 billion Disneyland-sized theme park and resort in Vinita slated to open in 2026.
Here are a few other stories that marked notable events or interesting human beings in Bartlesville during 2023:
January: Double murders, Whippoorwill
— The community of Whippoorwill in Osage County lost control of its 50-year-old water treatment plant and was forced to pipe in water from 10 miles away in Copan.
— Larry and Deborah Dutton were victims of a double homicide in their home near Dewey. One of those charged with first-degree murder was their 17-year-old granddaughter Heidi Dutton.
February: Cowboy story, Protective order against street preacher
— Claude Lefler, who turned 97, recalled how he saddled up his horse, Blondie, about 75 years ago and left his Missouri home to find a new one. He ended up in Bartlesville and has been here ever since.
— A Washington County District Court judge a five-year protective order for a Bartlesville couple who felt harassed and targeted by an out-of-town street preacher for being gay.
March: Price Tower sold, Wildfires
— After years of financial woes and struggles to maintain Price Tower, a local company paid $10 to take over the historic property and its debt. Copper Tree Inc. promised to breathe new life into the historic property.
— A rash of wildfires swept through Circle Mountain amid drought conditions and several days of high winds.
April: City Council recall effort, Water woes
— Bartlesville officials look to ways to conserve water amid a drought that dried up area water sources such as Hulah Lake.
— A small group of Bartlesville residents launched a recall effort against those city councilors who didn't vote the way they wanted them to on allowing drag shows in public spaces.
May: Illness linked to Caney River, Most valuable hot dog
The Oklahoma State Department of Health investigated an outbreak of illness among some residents who got sick after swimming in the Caney River or area lakes. The department later ruled out a deadly bacteria as the cause of the illnesses.
Local student entrepreneur Ryan Fouts sold a hot dog that eventually led to him receiving a full-ride $120,000 scholarship to Central Methodist University in Missouri.
June: Water ideas, Feisty triplets
— Reporter Andy Dossett told the hilarious story of feisty identical triplets Sharlene, Shirley and Sybil from Hominy, who celebrated their 87th birthday in 2023.
— City Manager Mike Bailey assured Bartians that the city will not run out of water and that the city is considering a number of contingency plans if water levels drop further.
July: Brookhaven, Disney in Oklahoma
— EE reporter Andy Dossett launched a series to examine the living conditions of residents at Brookhaven Plaza Apartments, a subsidized housing complex in Bartlesville.
— State officials announced the development of a $2 billion Disneyland-sized theme park and resort in Vinita slated to open in 2026.
August: Jasper's Story, GOP falls apart, City council troubles
— Some area Republicans calling themselves a "grassroots group" took over the Washington County Republican party from previous leadership, basically splitting the county GOP into two warring groups fighting for control of the party.
— Reporter/photographer tells the story of Jasper Wolf-Rush, otherwise known as The Dancing Cowboy, in photos in his run during The Cavalcade Rodeo in Pawhuska.
September: Film studio, Blue Whale lithium ion recycling
— The Bartlesville City Council approved $2 million in matching funds to transform the former First Christian Church building into the Buffalo Roam soundstage and film school.
Blue Whale Materials, of Washington, D.C., selected Bartlesville to construct the United first lithium-ion battery recycling facility in the U.S.
October: ABB growth, HBO show in town
— Stars of HBO's award-winning show "We're Here" visited Bartlesville to host a meet and greet at Unity Square in an effort to "open a dialogue" with the Bartlesville community after a year of controversy over a Gay Pride drag show in town.
Major Bartlesville employer ABB announced plans to centralize the production of instrumentation products in 2024, hoping to enhance its operational efficiency and customer lead times across North America.
November: Casino shooting, Incarcerated women
— Six days after Bartlesville's Osage Casino and Hotel opened, a man was shot to death in a parking lot confrontation after burglary victims got notification their stolen credit card was being used at the casino.
A "Parenting in Jail" program at the Washington County Jail helps turn parenting for inmates into not just a duty but an identity.
December: Homeless shelter regs, Tuxedo Bridge delays
City officials announced rehabilitation of the Tuxedo Boulevard bridge is on hold due to environmental concerns, including the possible presence of mussels and bats.
'B the Light's' effort to transform a former research facility into a haven for the homeless is facing bureaucratic roadblocks over environmental concerns.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: What happened in Bartlesville in 2023? Take a look
