Chris Peters

Chris Peters is the founder and editor of The Stillwegian, covering Stillwater and Payne County with a mix of storytelling, photography, and local insight. A Stillwegian since 2008, he’s passionate about connecting community through local news.

Location Stillwater, OK

Number of Articles 286

Socials

Chris Peters's Work 286 Articles

Stillwater Board of Education - Jun 25, 2026 Under budget and on track: Stillwater Schools bond hits milestone as board honors Baker, eyes funding push

The large white letter sign reading "Stillwater High School" stands at the front entrance of the new campus still under construction.

District urges families to complete form tied to state aid and federal programs

by Chris Peters

Jun 23, 2026 Cedar removal, home hardening underway as Stillwater eyes wildfire prevention

Before, during, and after photos of eastern red cedar removal along W. 19th Ave. in southwest Stillwater near Stillwater Fire Station No. 4.

Dr. David Engle outlined the fire science behind the March 2025 disaster and the steps residents, neighborhoods, and the state are taking in response

by Chris Peters

Weekend Brief - Jun 20, 2026 The primary's done. The Election Desk just got smarter.

New interactive district map, plus how to build a bionic brain

by Chris Peters

Stillwater City Council - Jun 18, 2026 Stillwater adopts new short-term rental rules with owner-occupied exemption; fee vote deferred

A map of Stillwater showing 167 active short-term rental licenses as green markers, with the heaviest concentration near OSU campus, presented to council May 4, 2026

A 20 percent block-level density cap survives, with a homestead exemption and six-month review added at the last meeting

by Chris Peters

2026 Elections - Jun 16, 2026 All six incumbents survive: June 16 primary results for Payne County and area state races

Composite of six June 16 Republican primary winners, from left: Zachary Cavett, Rhonda Markum, Chuck Hall, Jim Shaw, Molly Jenkins and Dillon Travis, each shown speaking into a microphone.

Markum holds District 3 by 223 votes; Travis posts identical margin to his February win; Hall turns back LeMarr in Senate District 20

by Chris Peters

Payne County District 1 - Jun 15, 2026 Three-way race for District 1 commissioner pits Cavett's record against two challengers with different visions

From left, Zach Cavett, Ray Harper, and Jacob Presuhn stand on stage at the Payne County GOP candidate forum on June 11, 2026, at the Stillwater Community Center in Stillwater.

Harper says the county needs someone ready to work. Presuhn says it needs a plan — and a fresh set of eyes

by Chris Peters

2026 Elections - Jun 15, 2026 Travis runs on a short but concrete record. Wright says experience is what matters.

Rep. Dillon Travis listens as challenger Kevin Wright speaks at the Payne County GOP candidate forum on June 11, 2026, at the Stillwater Community Center in Stillwater.

The two House District 35 Republicans divide on income tax elimination and what they see as the greatest long-term threat to Payne County

by Chris Peters

2026 Elections - Jun 15, 2026 In District 3 commissioner race, an incumbent's record meets an insider's critique

Payne County Commissioner Rhonda Markum and challenger Clayton Estus stand on stage at the Payne County GOP candidate forum on June 11, 2026, at the Stillwater Community Center in Stillwater.

Rhonda Markum and Clayton Estus agree on most policy questions but divide on whether day-to-day maintenance has kept pace

by Chris Peters