The Newcastle Pacer

10/06/2025

"A nation that hates its press is a nation that fears the truth."
— Walter Cronkite
Let's get back to respect and admiration for journalism in this state and nation. Embrace the need and desire for truth — take the time to find professional and ethical avenues for news. Differentiate and quit listening to the left- or right-leaning talking heads on broadcast, and those social media influencers who repeat without fact-checking. Seek out stories by the Associated Press. We would also suggest sources such as ABC News, World News Tonight with David Muir, CBS News, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, News Nation, BBC, Reuters, The Economist, and The Hill.

09/10/2025

McClain County voters approved making an existing half-cent sales tax permanent during Tuesday’s election. Unofficial election results, which will be certified on Friday, show that Proposition 1 was approved 999-836, and Proposition 2 was approved 1,002 to 848.
Proposition 1 was to make permanent three-fourths of the existing half-cent sales tax for public safety purposes. This includes funding for the county sheriff’s department, emergency management services, rural fire departments, and related facilities or operations.
Proposition 2 makes permanent the remaining one-fourth of the half-cent to support essential county services, including 4-H programs, OSU extension services, senior centers, the county free fair, economic development, and public facilities.
The approval of the two propositions ensures that McClain Countians and visitors making purchases in McClain County will continue paying the half-cent in addition to .045 in State taxes, and any municipal taxes.
Municipal sales taxes are the following:
Newcastle .04
Purcell .05
Blanchard .05
Cole .04
Dibble .05
Goldsby .035
Maysville .04
Washington .05
Wayne .035

09/09/2025

Here's what you'll need to know to attend Friday night's Newcastle versus Blanchard football game.

09/05/2025

McClain County voters face an election Tuesday to determine whether to make an existing half-cent sales tax permanent. Previous elections have been determined by a minority of eligible voters taking part. Just FYI, only 7.67% of eligible voters took part in the last election, and just more than 5% of eligible voters took part in the last Newcastle City Council election. A State of the County luncheon was held Thursday with two of the commissioners and State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. All three were very positive about the county and its finances, but ultimately the voters will decide on the permanency of the tax. We have provided a sample ballot for your convenience.

08/27/2025

Newcastle Racer Football hits the field this week with their first game of the season. Our latest edition of the Pacer has this year's Racer Football preview. With the help of all the community supporters, we look at the players and coaches, as well as the offense, defense and special teams. We also provide a look at the 2025-26 cheer and pom. Pick up a copy of the Pacer today at convenience stores around Newcastle such as Handy's. Go Racers!

07/17/2025

You don't want to miss today's issue of the Newcastle Pacer. Two elections have been scheduled in the Newcastle area and we have the information you need to make an informed decision when you go to the polls.

06/04/2025

A tornado in the Newcastle area on Tuesday afternoon reportedly damaged a house and destroyed a barn while also causing tree damage. Newcastle Emergency Management shared this video.

05/19/2025

Tonight’s public input meeting on the South Extension Turnpike at Countdown Event Center has been postponed to next week due to the threat of severe weather in Norman this evening. The new meeting date and time is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Countdown Event Center, 3201 Deskin Dr., Norman. Your safety is our top priority, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and weather aware tonight!

Residents of Cleveland and McClain County may provide input on the South Extension Turnpike this Wednesday, May 21, from 5-7 p.m. at the Purcell Multipurpose Center, or 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at the Countdown Events Center and online at https://ow.ly/u8cs50VVgUx.
NO MORE TURNPIKES, Oklahoma! OU Daily The Norman Transcript KOKH FOX 25 News, Oklahoma KWTV - NEWS 9 KOCO 5 News KFOR-TV The Newcastle Pacer The Journal Record The Oklahoman

05/19/2025

Emergency Management shows the power of lightning … and having cameras around city facilities. Glad no one was hurt.

04/30/2025

Regional baseball at Newcastle was changed. Here’s the new schedule.

Update on Baseball Regionals

04/25/2025

Forecasted rain for tomorrow morning has forced the Tri-City Cruisers to cancel their Annual Open Car Show tomorrow and reschedule it for Saturday, May 3. We featured the show on page 1 of this week's newspaper. Organizers still expect a big show for the rain date since last year's was also delayed by rain, and the rescheduled show was their biggest yet. The Tri-City Cruisers invite everyone out for the fancy cars, hot rods, music, and camaraderie.

04/03/2025

The disaster prep expo planned for Newcastle Saturday has been cancelled due to possible severe weather Saturday. The City EMS will announce when it is rescheduled.