Friday, August 7, 2026
Stillwater rape case against teenager dismissed Staff Report
weekly counseling sessions until his 19th birthday. As Former Stillwater High long as he completed this School Student has had his plan he would not receive the youthful offender status 78 year sentence that he was expire 10 months after given. pleading no contest to The court reviewed that he accusation of rape. had completed all required Jesse Butler pleaded no reviews and conditions of his contest to 10 charges to the court ordered rehabilitation alleged rape and assault of plan. On Aug. 3 the court two former girlfriends. The confirmed that Butler would judge accepted the plea which be dismissed from the changed his status to youthful program at midnight. offender and then the Office The dismissal removes the of Juvenile Affairs created a case from the state and under rehabilitation plan for him. double jeopardy laws the state The plan included over 100 cannot try Butler twice for the hours of community service, same crime. But newly sworn a curfew, no social media, and in District Attorney Jeremiah
Gregory does plan to refer the case to federal agencies. “However, the federal government is a separate sovereign entity from the State of Oklahoma where double jeopardy has not attached.” Gregory said in a press released after the hearing. “Therefore, my office will be submitting this case to the appropriate federal agency for prosecutorial review of this matter. I cannot undo what has already been done, but I can – and will – continue to stand as a strong voice for all victims of violent crime.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Butler was first arrested in March 2025 after two high school students reported they had been sexually assaulted.
Places to go for Tax-Free Weekend in Stillwater Caleson Coon
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As Tax-Free Weekend arrives, here are guidelines and places to go in Stillwater. Aug. 7-9 will be the dates to get your shopping carts ready to buy any clothing or footwear without paying for state or local sales taxes. Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item qualify for the tax exemption, and athletic and protective footwear, any school supplies or accessories do not qualify. Here are a few places to add to your stops to your Tax-Free weekend adventures. Old Navy Located at 619 N Main St., Old Navy offers clothes for all ages, along with footwear that’s perfect for a new job at the office, first day of classes or a stroll through Oklahoma State University’s campus. Sharpe’s Over on 617 N Perkins, Sharpe’s is eager for customers to arrive and shop away as their posts on Facebook show. Sharpe’s supplies a fun western style that goes perfectly with being a cowboy – or cowgirl – on or off campus. With shirts, boots, jackets and more, it is one stop you do not want to miss.
See TAX-FREE on page 2
Natalie Koepp, The O’Colly
Homeland closes on Aug. 8, 2026.
Homeland says goodbye Kalina Williams
STAFF REPORTER
After just over six years, Stillwater’s Homeland is set to close this Saturday with liquidation in effect since July 9. Oklahoma’s largest locally owned grocery chain has closed several locations due to underperformance with hopes to strengthen the company and better serve the community. According to KOCO, HAC, Inc. CEO, Frank Archer, stated that the decision to close the stores
“wasn’t easy but is necessary to serve the community longterm.” Originally the Stillwater location wasn’t set to close, but due to the building’s rent prices, the company was unable to keep up and had to be sold. This location opened in early 2020 and will now follow other closed locations like in Norman, Lawton and Edmond. With the store closing, a loss of resources for consumers and jobs for employees became an outspoken issue. Residents shared their thoughts through the
“Stillwater Community Page” on Facebook along with support and advice for those looking for new jobs. The closing goes beyond jobs being lost and strikes many as a personal issue. As the store prepared to close, bakery orders stopped being taken which hindered income. Aside from the negative aspects, significant discounts were put in place which attracted new and old customers.
See HOMELAND on page 2
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Shop Chris’ University Store Aug. 7-9, 2026.