November 10, 2022
By News Director Jared Atha
An alert was sent out Thursday afternoon by the Oklahoma State Department of Health in an effort to determine the source of an illness that has been reported in the Weatherford area.
Officials say they are looking into the increased number of cases of Campylobacter and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli.
Officials say they are sending a survey to all Custer County, Hydro, Hinton, and Lookeba residents.
The surveys will work to find additional illnesses that may not have been reported to a doctor. They are also looking for common denominators between those who have been sick.
The outbreak of the Campylobacter and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli was identified on October 25 in the Weatherford and Hydro area.
Health officials say person-to-person spread is rare with these illnesses. Instead, it is more common to contract the illnesses through consumption of undercooked meat, contaminated raw milk or water, and the handling of raw poultry or pork without washing hands or surfaces properly.
Health leaders say anyone experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and muscle aches should seek medical care.
Individuals experiencing the symptoms above should avoid public areas until 24 hours after symptoms have gone away.
For further questions, please contact 211, the Custer County Health Department at 580-772-6417 or Caddo County Health Department 405-247-2507.
Copyright 2022 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Motorhome Fire Near Canute Extinguished with Help from Elk City Firefighters
Canute, OK — Firefighters from Canute and Elk City worked together Friday morning to extinguish a motorhome fire along the eastbound on-ramp at the 47-mile marker in Canute. According to Elk City Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka, his
Elk City police arrest two in illegal tattooing, firearms case
Elk City, OK — Elk City police executed a search warrant Thursday, Oct. 30, at a residence inside the city limits and arrested two people in an investigation into unlicensed tattooing that allegedly involved minors, the department
Washita County Sheriff seeks donations for fallen officers monument
Cordell, OK — The Washita County Sheriff’s Office is raising funds for a monument to honor county officers who died in the line of duty. The proposed memorial would stand in front of the Washita County Justice
Elk City schools launch 30-day Read Aloud Challenge
Elk City, OK – Elk City Elementary and Intermediate Schools are inviting families to join a simple habit with a big payoff. Superintendent Mike Sparks says the district will roll out a 30-day Read Aloud Challenge that
United Fund keeps Elk City giving, aims for $100k this year
Elk City, OK – Elk City Area United Fund has raised local dollars for local needs for nearly 80 years. The all-volunteer board collects community donations and distributes the money to seven nonprofits serving Beckham County. “Every
Lankford blames Democrats for month-long shutdown, calls it “the craziest season”
Elk City, OK — U.S. Sen. James Lankford said the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is the result of a Democratic decision to force a standoff, calling it “the craziest season” during an interview
Archer, Moore help steer two new Oklahoma laws taking effect Nov. 1
Oklahoma City, OK — Two statewide measures with local fingerprints take effect Saturday, with Rep. Nick Archer of Elk City and Rep. Anthony Moore of Clinton helping carry the bills in the House. Sales tax break now
Longtime Director of Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton Retires After 30 Years
Clinton, OK — Pat Smith, the longtime director of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, is retiring after 30 years of leading the museum. Smith has lived in Custer County for her entire life. She started
Elk City’s Lincoln Teen Center Closing
Elk City, OK – Elk City’s non-profit hangout for teenagers will permanently close its doors Friday. Chuck Hargrove, President of LTC, inc., made the announcement today on Facebook. “It saddens me to post this! The Lincoln Teen
Halloween safety reminders from Beckham County Sheriff and Texas DPS
Elk City, OK — With trick-or-treaters out Friday night, Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning is reminding families to think traffic first. “Kids get excited and run to the next house. They aren’t watching cars,” Manning said. “Make
Public input sought for upgrades at North Fork Environmental Education Center
Sayre, OK – The North Fork of Red River Conservation District is preparing a grant application to improve the North Fork Environmental Education Center and is asking the community to weigh in. Residents can complete a short
Affidavit: Oklahoma City woman charged in Clinton truck case
Clinton, OK — Ashley Dawn Beal, 40, has been charged in Custer County District Court after a white 2012 Ford pickup reported stolen in Clinton was stopped by police early Oct. 19, according to a probable cause
Weatherford woman charged after short pursuit, police say
Weatherford, OK – A Weatherford woman is facing a felony after a short police pursuit on Saturday, Oct. 18, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court. Prosecutors charged Janel Frances Harper, 33,
Deputies seize 68 guns, arrest Elk City man after video shows shots fired near pickup, affidavit says
October 27, 2025 Elk City, OK – An Elk City man faces four charges after deputies reviewed home-security video that allegedly showed him chambering a handgun and firing twice near a pickup as it left his driveway,
Sheriff: Attempted break-in reported at former grow site south of Sayre
Sayre, OK — Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says deputies are investigating an attempted break-in at a former marijuana grow site south of Sayre, where a resident still lives on the property. Manning said the call came
SBA sets Nov. 25 deadline for drought aid in Beckham County, Wheeler and Collingsworth
Elk City, OK — The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses and private nonprofits in Beckham County in Oklahoma and Wheeler and Collingsworth counties in Texas to apply by Nov. 25 for low interest Economic
Detective’s persistence leads to recovery of stolen property in Elk City
Elk City, OK — A Beckham County Sheriff’s Office detective recovered stolen property tied to an older theft and burglary from the Sayre area, after tracking leads to a home in Elk City. Sheriff Derek Manning credited
Elk City man loses control on wet I-40
Elk City, OK – 27-year-old Elk City man was injured Saturday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 eastbound at mile marker 38 in Beckham County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said Brandin R.
Help, Inc. Food Pantry — Thank You, Donors!
“Help Needs Help” Big gratitude to the community partners lifting up local families. Please share this to keep the momentum going—neighbors helping neighbors.
Public Relations and Marketing Team at SWOSU Earns Three Davey Awards
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Office of Public Relations and Marketing has won three honors in the 21st Annual Davey Awards, an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding work by in-house teams, small
Partnership with Mexican Consulate Brings IME Becas Scholarships to SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) continues to expand opportunities for its students through its ongoing partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City and the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME). Representatives from the
Helping the Community: Help, Inc. Food Pantry
No one should go hungry in Elk City. If you or someone you know needs a hand—or if you’re able to lend one—here’s how to connect …
Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant Set for November 15
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) annual Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the SWOSU Fine Arts Center. The event will begin at 7 p.m., bringing together seventeen
SWOSU Researchers Study Rattlesnake Predator Interactions at Wichita Mountains
Comanche County, OK – Researchers from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently conducted fieldwork at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, retrieving camera traps and snake replicas that had been deployed earlier this summer. The project is jointly
ECPD executes search warrant in child sexual abuse material case; one arrested
Elk City, OK — Elk City Police served a search warrant Tuesday at a home on West 2nd Street as part of a child sexual abuse material investigation that began with a CyberTipline report from the National
