Saturday, July 26, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Nappawalla Park

Join the Oxford Police Department for an evening of fun, food, and community connection at our very first Community Night Out!

Come meet your local officers, firefighters, first responders, and responders from surrounding agencies. This family-friendly event is a great way to get to know those who serve our community every day.

What to Expect:

• 🎧 Music by DJ Stan

• 🍔 Delicious eats from Mama Cheryl’s Food Truck

• 🍧 Shaved ice from The Sweet Space

• 🥤 Refreshments & a DIY S’mores Bar

• 🚓 Equipment demos & activities for the kids

• 📚 Resource booths and fun giveaways

Special Feature:

Cram-the-Cruiser School Supply Drive
Help us support Oxford Schools by donating school supplies. Each donation enters you for a chance to win a gift basket from Casey’s General Store! Let’s see if we can cram the cruiser full!

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family—you won’t want to miss this night of community fun!

📅 Mark your calendars! The Oxford Lions Club is once again generously sponsoring a Free Swim Night for the community.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, July 19
🕕 Time: 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM
📍 Location: Oxford City Pool

💦 Come out and enjoy an evening of fun, friends, and cool water — completely free of charge! This is a great opportunity to beat the heat and make some summer memories.

🙏 A big thank you to the Oxford Lions Club for their continued support of our community events!

✨ We hope to see you there!

The City of Oxford is pleased to announce the addition of Officer Gary Palmer as the newest full-time member of the Oxford Police Department.

Officer Palmer brings with him a strong commitment to public service and a passion for community-focused policing. He has already hit the ground running and is looking forward to getting to know the residents of Oxford and serving the city with professionalism and integrity.

The Oxford Police Department remains committed to keeping the community safe and fostering strong relationships with residents and local businesses. Please join us in welcoming Officer Palmer to the department—and be sure to say hello if you see him out and about in town!

Heads up, Oxford! Over the next few days, the Kansas Forest Service will be in town doing something tree-rific — taking inventory of the trees in our parks and along city easements!

You might spot their crews out and about, checking on our leafy neighbors and gathering info to help us keep Oxford green and gorgeous.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as they branch out through the community! 🌲🌿

The City of Oxford is proud to announce the promotion of Sergeant Laura Freeman to Chief of Police, effective May 1, 2025.

Chief Freeman has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to public safety, community connection, and professional excellence throughout her service with the Oxford Police Department. Her promotion marks a significant and well-deserved milestone not only for her career but for the department and the community she so proudly serves.

Known for her calm leadership, thoughtful approach, and genuine care for the residents of Oxford, Chief Freeman has earned deep respect from her fellow officers and from the public alike. As she steps into this new role, she brings with her a vision focused on transparency, collaboration, and continuing to build trust with the community. 

“I’m incredibly honored to step into the role of Chief of Police and serve this amazing community,” said Chief Freeman. “Through transparency, open communication, and collaboration, I look forward to working side by side with you all to strengthen the relationship between the department and community, build long lasting partnerships, and make sure the residents of Oxford feel safe, respected, and supported. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead!”

We are excited for this new chapter under Chief Freeman’s leadership and thank her for her continued dedication to keeping Oxford a safe and welcoming place to call home.

The Oxford City Pool will now stay open until 7:00 PM every Tuesday & Thursday for the rest of July! 💦

Perfect chance to swing by after work, cool off, and enjoy those summer nights! 🏖️
Grab your towel, bring your friends, and let’s make waves!

#OxfordPool #SummerNights #CoolOffInOxford #ExtendedHours

🎇 Ready to light up the sky? Here are the official rules to keep your celebration safe and legal:

📅 Dates Allowed:
🧨 Fireworks may be discharged July 1st through July 4th.

⏰ Daily Time Limits:

• 🕕 Sunday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

• 🌙 Friday & Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

💡 Safety First:
Please be courteous to your neighbors, clean up after yourself, and follow all safety guidelines. Let’s all enjoy a bright and beautiful holiday together! ✨

🎆 Have a SAFE and 🎇 HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! 🎆
❤️🤍💙

Did you know the City of Oxford offers Vacation Watch forms at the City Office? 📝

If you're heading out of town and would like some extra peace of mind, stop by and fill out a Vacation Watch form. This free service allows the Oxford Police Department 🚓 to keep an extra eye on your property while you're away.

All you need to do is come into the City Office and complete the form. Be sure to provide as many details as possible — such as dates you'll be gone 📅, emergency contact info 📞, and any vehicles that may be on the property 🚗. Once submitted, the form will be passed along to our officers, who will include your residence in their regular patrols 👮‍♂️.

It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in keeping your home secure while you're enjoying your time away! ✈️🏖️

📍 Stop by the City Office today to fill out your form!

🌞 You asked... and we listened! 🏊‍♀️
Later Swim Times Are Coming in July!

Starting Tuesday, July 8th, the Oxford Public Pool will stay open later on Tuesdays and Thursdays — now open from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM!

💦 This is a great chance for families, professionals, and anyone needing to cool off after work to come beat the heat and enjoy the pool during the evening hours.

📅 Extended hours begin after the 4th of July holiday.
If we see strong interest and good attendance, we may keep it going into August!

So grab your towel, tell your friends, and come make a splash! 🌊

#OxfordPublicPool #EveningSwim #SummerFun #BeatTheHeat

Check out all the information inside this article!!

🌞 Now Enrolling: Intro to Swimming Lessons!

We're excited to offer Intro to Swimming Lessons for children ages 2–5 at the Oxford City Pool! These beginner-friendly sessions focus on building water confidence, introducing basic swim skills, and promoting water safety—all in a fun and supportive environment. Classes run July 8th–10th from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM for just $35.
Register by Saturday, July 5th by calling 620-455-2564—space is limited!

🌳 Burn Site Open for Storm Debris 🌳

Due to the recent storms, the City’s burn site will be open today through the rest of the week to allow residents to dispose of downed tree limbs and storm debris.

This service is available free of charge to Oxford residents. Please use this opportunity to clean up your properties and help keep our community safe and tidy.

If you have any questions, please contact the City Office at (620) 455-2223.
 

This week’s storms left many residents dealing with fallen limbs, damaged trees, and debris. If you need help cleaning up, here’s a list of local tree service companies that may be able to assist:

• Carson's Tree Service LLC – 620-440-2029

• Garcia Tree Service – 620-441-7251

• Henderson Tree Care – 620-229-2343

• Davis Tree Service – 316-800-5689

Stay safe, and feel free to contact any of these local businesses for assistance with storm-related tree damage.

Following the recent storms, please be aware of the following important updates and safety reminders:

• Tree and Limb Cleanup: The City of Oxford Maintenance Crew will not be picking up fallen limbs or trees around town. Homeowners are responsible for any storm debris on their property, including in alleys, streets, and even neighboring yards. We encourage everyone to come together—reach out to friends and neighbors to assist with cleanup efforts!

• Burn Site Access: The burn site will be open today through Saturday. Please use caution—the site is currently muddy. The City will not be able to assist with pulling out stuck vehicles. If conditions seem too wet, consider waiting a day or two for things to dry out.

• Power Update: We are still running on generators while Evergy works to replace the damaged power lines in the creek area west of town. If you experience drops in voltage, it may be due to this ongoing repair work.

• To Report Power Issues: Please contact the City Office at 620-455-2223 to report outages or issues.

• Cave Park & River Safety: The river is currently up over the dock at Cave Park, and a large tree remains down in the park. Residents are urged to use extreme caution in this area. Do not drive through water on the low road if the river rises further.
  The City is actively monitoring river levels and will close the road if necessary later today for public safety.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we recover from the storms. Stay safe and look out for one another!

Sumner County Emergency Management has shared updated weather predictions. For the most up-to-date information and safety guidance, visit the Sumner County Emergency Management website.

Ah, summer. Birds chirping 🐦, grass growing faster than teenagers 📏, and rain… lots of rain ☔. And no one has felt the wrath of the weather more than our brave mower-in-chief, Devin 🚜💪.

This week, Devin set out like any lawn warrior would — mower blades spinning, mission clear: tame the wild green jungles of our town 🌾. But Mother Nature had other plans 🌧️😅. Thanks to some ambitious rainfall, several areas were less "grass" and more "bog" 🐸. And let's just say Devin found some of them.

One moment he was cruising confidently 💨 across the turf, the next — squelch — the mower sank into a surprise mud pit 🕳️ like it was auditioning for a nature documentary 🎥🦆.

But don’t worry — we’ve had a trusty tow crew 🚛 (and possibly a canoe 🛶) on standby to fish him out each time. He’s fine. A little muddier 🧽. Maybe slightly traumatized by the sound of squishy grass 😬. But fine..

With more rain in the forecast 🌧️🌧️🌧️, we’re considering outfitting Devin with floatation devices 🛟 or relocating him to higher ground 🏔️.

💬 We’ll continue to post updates if (or let’s be honest — when) Devin’s muddy adventures continue. Stay tuned for more mowing drama! 🎬🌾

If you’ve noticed a little extra activity around Oxford this week, you’re not imagining things! A spirited group called Prayer and Action has rolled into town — and they’re making a big difference.

Organized through the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Prayer and Action brings together high school students who volunteer their time to serve communities like ours. This week, a team of 18–20 high school students, along with four dedicated chaperones and three missionaries, have been hard at work right here in Oxford. Their mission? Simple: serve others through acts of kindness — no strings attached.

From trimming trees and painting homes to sprucing up yards, their efforts are already having a big impact. And they’re not finished yet! The volunteers will be in town through the end of the month, with a fresh group rotating in each week. In total, more than 80 students are participating across the area, all based out of Holy Name Catholic Church in Winfield.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of this project is that it’s open to everyone — there are no requirements based on income, background, or religious affiliation. It’s all about lending a helping hand to neighbors who need it.

A huge thank you goes out to all the students, chaperones, and missionaries who are making Oxford shine a little brighter. A special shoutout to Deanna Houser for capturing the spirit of this project with the photos below and helping bring this story to life. And heartfelt thanks to Myra Jacobs, whose efforts through St. Mary’s Church helped bring this wonderful opportunity to our community. We’re grateful for everyone who’s played a part in celebrating and spreading kindness right here in our town!

City Maintenance Crews were out and about today working hard on street repairs around town! 🏙️ You may have spotted them at the corner of Main St & Sumner St 👷‍♂️🚦

These repairs are part of ongoing efforts to fix areas affected by water leaks and other issues over the past year 💧🔧

If you see the crew out there, don’t forget to give them a 👋 or a friendly 🚗📯 honk to show your support!

Oxford Public Library

Are you a book-loving, community-minded leader with a knack for creativity and organization? Do you dream in Dewey Decimal and think a cozy reading nook is the heart of any town? Then we’ve got the perfect job for you!

The Oxford Public Library is seeking an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Library Director to lead our charming small-town library into its next chapter! 📖

🌳 Volunteer Opportunity – Help Shape the Future of Oxford’s Parks! 🌳

Do you love our local parks? Dream of new playgrounds, community events, or making our green spaces even more inviting? 🌼🛝 Then this is your moment!  The City of Oxford has 2 open volunteer positions on the Park Board, and we’re looking for enthusiastic, community-minded individuals to join the team! 💪

The City of Oxford is hiring Lifeguards for the 2025 pool season! 🌞🌊

The Oxford Public Pool is open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you cruised through downtown today and noticed bucket trucks reaching for the clouds—no need to worry! There wasn’t a power outage or emergency. Our hardworking Utility Crew was just doing what they do best: upgrading electrical lines and installing fresh new wire to keep everything running smoothly.

These folks don’t just jump into action during outages—they’re always out there making sure your power stays strong and reliable. Give 'em a wave next time you see them in the sky!

This past Saturday, we had an incredible time at our PARTY AT THE PARK as we officially dedicated the new playground to the Oxford Community! 🛝💚

🍔 Mama Cheryl’s and Face Stuffers kept everyone well-fed with delicious lunch options, while the Oxford Police Department handed out goody bags with a special surprise inside... IYKYK 😉 

🎀 OHS Cheerleaders brought the fun with popcorn 🍿 and popsicles 🍧, and the Oxford Baseball Association had awesome temporary tattoos that both kids and adults loved! ⚾💪

🥤 After Prom kept everyone hydrated with drinks, while Oxford Youth Sports shared info with parents and handed out suckers 🍭 to all the little ones!

✂️ The Oxford Park Board and Mayor Dave Olmsted led the ribbon-cutting ceremony with pride, marking a special moment for our city! ✨

A huge thank you to City Clerk Shannon Brister and Utility Billing Clerk Sarah Capron, who ran the giveaways generously donated by our amazing local Oxford businesses and churches! 🎁🙏

👏 We’re beyond grateful to everyone who came out and helped make this event such a huge success! This playground is for YOU, Oxford! ❤️🌟

🎉 Coming This June: The Oxford City Newsletter! 📰

We’re excited to launch our brand-new City Newsletter, starting this June! Each month, we’ll bring you the latest updates from around town, highlight upcoming events, and share what’s happening right here in Oxford.

🗞️ Where to find it?
Look for the newsletter included with your utility bill and posted online every month!

📣 Have something to share?
If your club, organization, or group has an event or announcement you'd like to include, we’d love to hear from you!
📞 Call Sarah at 620-455-2223
📧 Or email scapron@oxfordks.org

Let’s stay connected and keep Oxford in the loop—together!

Inside this article you will find the City of Oxford Police Department case updates so far for 2025 and some June Safety information.