
June 20, 2023
BKSO Press Release
Beckham County Sheriff’s Office personnel recovered a stolen Dodge van this evening hidden in a tree row near Hext. That vehicle, which was stolen from a residence in Mayes County, is believed to have been ditched yesterday by the person who stole a farm truck near Hext and burglarized a nearby residence, taking firearms.
In the van recovered this afternoon, a suicide note was found which indicates the vehicle had been driven by 39-year-old William Joseph Harper.
Harper should be considered armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal. He could be driving a stolen 2006 Dodge MegaCab with bale spikes and a feeder box, tag number DAF432.
Evidence at the scene indicates he may be traveling in the company of a female.
If seen, do not approach, and notify the nearest law enforcement agency.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

OSBI Assisting in Search of Missing SWOSU Student
Weatherford, OK – The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is now assisting Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Police in the search for a missing student. Eighteen-year-old Logan Nathaniel Musil, a current student at SWOSU, was reported

Two Clinton Women Arrested After Late-Night Shooting Incident
Clinton, OK — Two women were arrested following a late-night disturbance that led to gunfire on Hunt Avenue in Clinton on September 26, according to court records and police affidavits filed in Custer County District Court. Police

Traffic Stop Leads to Marijuana Trafficking Arrest on I-40
Beckham County, OK – A routine traffic stop on Interstate 40 led to the arrest of two Arkansas men after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper discovered seven pounds of marijuana and THC products in their vehicle. According

Wanted Indiana Man taken into custody in northwest Roger Mills County
Roger Mills County, OK – Roger Mills County Sheriff Darren Atha confirmed on Facebook that Thomas McCoy was taken into custody in northwest Roger Mills County early Monday afternoon. McCoy was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant

Elk City Police Searching for Indiana Suspect Believed to Be in Area
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department is actively searching for Thomas McCoy, a suspect wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant from the State of Indiana for child molestation. Authorities believe McCoy is currently in

Missing Weatherford Student: SWOSU Police Seek Public’s Help
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University Campus Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Logan Musil, an 18-year-old SWOSU student who has been missing since September 12, 2025. Musil was last seen

Clayton Hays Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder in 2024 Shooting
Elk City, OK – A Beckham County jury has found Clayton Samson Hays guilty of first-degree murder in the January 2024 shooting death of Colter Jake Vaught. The verdict was delivered Friday, October 3, 2025, after a

Thousands Attend Elk City Festival
Elk City, OK – Elk City’s 52nd Fall Festival ushered in the season. The annual event, held the 3rd weekend in September at the Elk City Convention Center and sponsored by the Elk City Chamber of Commerce,

Gift Made to Murdock Family Scholarship Fund at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the latest generous gift to the Murdock Family Scholarship Fund. This latest in a long series of thoughtful philanthropic investments was made possible by the estate of

Public Invited to Transportation Planning Meeting in Burns Flat
Burns Flat, OK – Residents across southwest Oklahoma are encouraged to take part in shaping the region’s future transportation system. The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) will host a public meeting in Burns Flat to

Lucille’s and Qdoba Provide SWOSU Homecoming Sponsorships
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce that Lucille’s Restaurant, Bar, & Hotel will serve as the official Welcome Back Party Sponsor, and Qdoba is the official Homecoming Brunch &

Saltwater leak suspected in cattle deaths along Five Mile Creek; tests show reservoir water safe
Eakly, OK — State regulators say a saltwater purge into Five Mile Creek is the likely cause of 25 cattle deaths reported earlier this month in Caddo County. Investigators with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission traced highly saline

Day Three of Hays Murder Trial Brings 12 More Witnesses in Beckham County Court
Sayre, OK – After a full day of 11 witnesses called to the stand on Tuesday, day three of the murder trial of 38-year-old Clayton Samson Hays of Carter continued Wednesday in Beckham County District Court. Jury

SWOSU Professor Contributes to Global Study Published in Science Journal
Weatherford, OK – Dr. Renan Bosque, Professor in the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is part of an international research team whose work has been published in Science. The study

Murder Trial of Clayton Hays Continues in Beckham County
Sayre, OK – After a full day of 11 witnesses called to the stand on Tuesday, day three of the murder trial of 38-year-old Clayton Samson Hays of Carter continued Wednesday in Beckham County District Court. Jury

Canute Schools Briefly Locked Down After Vehicle Pursuit
Canute, OK – Canute Public Schools were placed on precautionary lockdown Wednesday morning as law enforcement pursued a stolen vehicle in the area. The incident began in the early hours of October 1 when a juvenile stole

Precautionary Lockdown at Canute Schools Following High-Speed Chase
Canute, OK – Canute Public Schools went into a precautionary lockdown Wednesday morning as law enforcement pursued a stolen vehicle in the area. The lockdown was implemented just before 8:30 a.m. after officials were alerted to the

More Details Revealed: Operation Guardian Sweep in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – More details revealed surrounding the mass arrests of illegal truck drivers in Beckham County. Governor Kevin Stitt says a large-scale enforcement action in Beckham County along Interstate 40 led to more than 125

OCC Port of Entry Utilized for Special Emphasis by ICE and DPS to Safeguard Oklahoma Highways, Motorists
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) recognizes the danger to the driving public from big rig drivers who may be non-compliant with weight requirements and other regulations or statutes designed to reduce risk from

Starbucks Closes Elk City Location Amid Nationwide Cuts
Elk City, OK – Elk City’s Starbucks, located at South Eastern Avenue and East 7th Street, is among several stores in Oklahoma to close as part of a nationwide downsizing by the coffee giant. The move comes

Great Plains Regional Medical Center Offers Mammogram Special This October: Care for Your Pair
Elk City, OK – Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) is encouraging women to prioritize their breast health this October with a special $35 mammogram offer as part of its Care for Your Pair campaign. The promotion

Arapaho man charged with domestic violence, animal cruelty
Arapaho, OK – An Arapaho man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in Custer County after authorities say he assaulted a woman, injured her dog, and damaged property during an incident earlier this month. According to

Clinton Man Faces Multiple Firearm Charges Following Apartment Dispute
Clinton, OK – A Clinton man is facing multiple felony charges after an argument allegedly escalated into threats and gunfire last week. According to court records, Eddie Larkin Pearson Jr., 64, was charged in Custer County District

Custer County Inmate Charged After Breaking Jail Sprinkler System
Arapaho, OK – A Custer County Jail inmate is facing a felony charge after authorities say he damaged a sprinkler system inside the jail, causing more than $1,200 in damages. According to court records, Buddy Jefferson LaRue

Clinton man charged with drug trafficking in Custer County
Clinton, OK – A Clinton man with multiple prior felony convictions has been charged in Custer County District Court with trafficking methamphetamine after police said he was found in possession of more than 20 grams of the