Changes in the Muskogee City Council set off several newsworthy events — including a called/canceled bond election, city audit and departure of the city manager — in 2024.

Muskogee also celebrated its musical heritage and future, while neighboring Fort Gibson celebrated 200 years. These were among the top 10 stories Muskogee Phoenix covered in 2024.

A general obligation bond issue and sales tax election was set, then called off within six weeks of its Aug. 27 vote.

Muskogee City Council called the election at its May meeting. The election was to include three general obligation bond issue propositions totaling $78.6 million. The propositions, funded by a 15-mill levy on property taxes, included funding for a new police station, expansion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and street improvements. A fourth proposition called for a half-cent sales tax to replace one set to expire in October 2025.

After residents protested the property tax increase and what they said was insufficient public input, the council called off the elections at its July meeting.

The city appointed a 40-member committee to work on a sales tax election.

A statue of country music legend Merle Haggard was unveiled Oct. 10, the 55th anniversary of when he recorded “Okie From Muskogee” at Muskogee Civic Center.

Benjamin Victor of Idaho designed and completed the statue, which showed Hag perched on a stool, ready to play his guitar. An empty stool next to Haggard invites people to shoot selfies with the idol. Old Glory can be seen waving, at a distance, at the U.S. Courthouse.

Haggard fans packed the Civic Center plaza for the unveiling, then filled the arena that night for a concert featuring Haggard’s son, Ben Haggard.

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is set to become the place “where music lives” with a $2.4 million renovation and rebranding announced last July.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced plans to fund renovation of the 1903 Frisco Depot, which houses OMHOF. The renovation is to include interactive displays and exhibits, a video theater and a performance venue.

Renovation is scheduled to begin the first quarter of 2025, with a grand opening the second quarter of 2026. Exhibits have been moved to Muskogee Civic Center during the renovation.

After eight years as Muskogee City Manager, Mike Miller accepted a job as Tulsa city administrator in early December.

Miller accepted the Tulsa job after he and Muskogee City Council reached a joint separation agreement in late November. His departure as city manager takes effect Jan. 3 and his Tulsa job begins Jan. 6.

Assistant City Manager Roger Kolman is acting city manager until Miller’s replacement is hired.

5. Hill moves on after runner-up finish Halftime exhilaration became post-game disappointment when Muskogee Roughers played in their second consecutive state championship game Dec. 7. After leading the Choctaw Bluejackets, 19-7, at half, the Roughers lost, 26-25.

Two days later, Roughers Coach Travis Hill took the same job at Broken Arrow.

However, Muskogee hopes of more state championships remained undimmed when it hired Dale Condict as coach shortly before Christmas. Condict had led the Wagoner Bulldogs to six state championships between 2011 and 2022.

Fort Gibson marked its Bicentennial in various ways through 2024. The city celebrated with a parade and ceremony April 20, one day shy of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the fort.

Fort Gibson High School’s Tiger Theatre presented an original play, “Vivia,” telling of a woman who became a soldier at Fort Gibson while seeking her husband.

Fort Gibson Historic Site capped the celebration by reopening an 1870 fort hospital as a visitor center in November.

Jarron Deajon Pridgeon, charged with the 2021 shooting deaths of his five children and his brother, agreed to a plea bargain in October. Pridgeon pleaded guilty to six murder counts, one count of shooting with intent to kill and one count of possession of a firearm while on probation.

He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on one murder charge, life in prison on the other five counts, 10 years in prison on shooting with intent to kill and possession of a firearm.

Muskogee got a new mayor, three new city council members and a returning city councilor in 2024 elections.

Patrick Cale defeated Wayne Divelbiss in the mayor’s race. Dan Hall returned to the Ward II seat he had held several years ago. New council members were Tom Martindale in Ward IV, C.B. Abel in Ward I and Melody Cranford for an unexpired term in Ward III.

Muskogee County Commissioners cleared the way for a county-wide sales tax vote to fund shared police, fire and emergency services.

An election for a 0.849% sales tax proposal is set for Jan. 14.

If approved, the sales tax would enable Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service to make emergency transports at no charge to patients. Plans also call for a building to house EMS, Muskogee County Sheriff, Muskogee Police and Fire Departments and other services.

Spurred by a citizens’ petition, Muskogee City Council agreed in July to seek a state audit of the city and “pertinent authorities.”

— If properties at U.S. 62 and U.S. 69 were obtained properly.

— If anyone with conflicts of interest received sales commission in the “Project Sunshine” development plan.

— If development along Shawnee Corridor was done properly and prudently.

— If any conflicts of interest existed in distributing proceeds from a downtown revitalization program.