January 10, 2023
By News Director Jared Atha
In a press release, the Oklahoma State Department of Health says that they believe that there is no threat to the local water supply in Caddo and Custer counties after a health scare late last year left a number of people sick.
The investigation began in November after a series of illnesses began to pop up in Weatherford and Hydro in late October.
According to the press release, the most common sickness reported was campylobacter along with other, less severe, stomach illnesses. The department stated that the cases have decreased, however officials are still attempting to find a source of the illnesses and are still monitoring for any other cases
Officials said to date, 46 confirmed cases and 14 hospitalizations have occurred that can be directly linked to the outbreak, including four cases of hemolyutic uremic syndrome, which is a condition that can ultimately lead to kidney failure.
The health department says since receiving those results, the public health alert issued on November 4 is no longer necessary. The department also says that after extensive data collection in partnership with local community representatives and a team from the Center for Disease Control, they have found no association with local food supply or drinking water.
However, other environmental samples including wildlife fecal samples and natural water are still processing and some results remain pending.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
SWOSU to Host 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony on December 12
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the upcoming 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Pioneer Event Center. The event will honor the academic accomplishments of
Friends of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum Receive $71,000 Grant to Restore Glancy Motor Hotel Sign
Clinton, OK — The Friends of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton were recently awarded a $71,505 grant from the Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program to help restore and display the iconic Glancy Motor Hotel neon
Weatherford Board Sends New High School Bond to February Ballot, Requires 60 Percent Approval
Weatherford, OK – The Weatherford School Board unanimously approved placing a proposal for a new Weatherford High School campus before district voters on February 10, 2026 during a special meeting Tuesday morning. Voters will see two separate
Helicopter Paramedic and EMS Director Accused of Stealing Narcotics in Burns Flat Case
Burns Flat, OK – Oklahoma investigators say a helicopter paramedic and EMS director stole morphine and fentanyl she was supposed to administer to patients, and now faces possible prison time. Court documents identify her as 44-year-old nurse
Head-on crash on US 281 leaves one dead, one injured
Lookeba, OK – A head-on collision Sunday afternoon on US-281 in Caddo County left one driver dead and another injured, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened at 2:09 pm about a mile
SWOSU Professor Dr. Hardeep S. Saluja Honored with AAiPS Recognition Award
Weatherford, OK – Dr. Hardeep S. Saluja, Department Chair and Bernhardt Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has received the Recognition Award from the American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAiPS). The award
Two Suspects Charged After Deputies Find Stolen Copper at Custer County Wind Site
Custer County, OK – Two people have been charged in Custer County after deputies say they were caught with stolen copper and other items taken from a wind turbine site near Thomas. 29 year old Slayton McKinnon
Two Unattended Deaths on I-40 Reported in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – Beckham County deputies responded to two separate unattended deaths last week, a pair of cases Sheriff Derek Manning says are uncommon but handled with the utmost care and procedure. The first call came
Wheeler Texas woman injured in rollover crash on I-40
Caddo County, OK – A Wheeler Texas woman was injured late Saturday night after her vehicle rolled multiple times along Interstate 40 in Caddo County. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports the crash happened at 10:23 pm Sunday
Scholarships Support Adult Learners in SWOSU’s Reach Higher Program
Weatherford, OK – The Reach Higher degree-finishing program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) awarded over $15,000 in scholarships to fourteen SWOSU students completing degrees through the program. Recipients received awards averaging about $1,100, supported through the
Busey Family Makes Major Gift to SWOSU Bulldogs Angels Fund
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced a major charitable contribution from longtime benefactors and alumni Philip Busey, Jr., ’04, and his wife, Heather (Ratcliffe) Busey, ’04, of Oklahoma City. This latest generous gift
School Board Filings Wrap Up Across Western Oklahoma Counties
Western OK – School board filings closed Wednesday in Beckham, Custer, Washita and Roger Mills counties, confirming a mix of uncontested races and a few competitive seats heading into the February election cycle. Custer County Clinton will
Long-term Traffic Plan Being Implemented Near New Fire Station
Elk City, OK – Elk City has three new temporary 4-way stops. The intersections at Washington & Broadway, Washington & 5th Street, and Washington & 6th Street have four stop signs each. These changes are part of
Hefley enters race for Wheeler County Judge
Wheeler County, TX – Wheeler County’s March primary ballot is continuing to take shape as another candidate has stepped forward to run for county judge. Chalone Hefley announced she is seeking the Republican nomination for the office,
Absentee Ballot Applications Available For 2026 Election Year
Clinton, OK – Voters in Custer County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for elections in 2026 can submit an application after January 1 of the coming year, Ann Brown said today. Any registered voter may
Beckham County Sees Light Holiday Crash Activity, Sheriff Manning Says
Beckham County, OK – Beckham County roads stayed relatively calm over the Thanksgiving travel period, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said that while his office monitored several wrecks in the area during the busy holiday stretch,
SWOSU Foundation Names Four New Trustees
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Incorporated (SWOSUF) has announced the accession of four SWOSU graduates to the organization’s governing Board of Trustees. The newest SWOSUF Trustees include: Brian Aneshansley of Clinton, SWOSU
Cordell Woman Charged With Aggravated Trafficking After Traffic Stop in Weatherford
Weatherford, OK – A Cordell woman is facing multiple felony drug trafficking charges after a large quantity of fentanyl and methamphetamine was allegedly found during a traffic stop in Weatherford on November 23. According to a probable
Guymon Woman Accused in Walmart Theft Ring Arrested in Elk City
Elk City, OK — Three women are facing charges after Elk City police say they worked together to steal hundreds of dollars in merchandise from Walmart. One of the suspects, identified as 51-year-old Holly Jo Garcia of
OKC Philharmonic Bringing Christmas Magic to Elk City Dec. 17
Elk City, OK – Elk City residents are in for a holiday treat as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic returns with its spectacular seasonal concert, “Merry & Bright, Songs of Christmas,” on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. The performance
Pursuit Ends Safely on I-40; Two Juveniles Taken Into Custody
Beckham County, OK – A Sunday morning pursuit on Interstate 40 ended without injuries after law enforcement stopped a speeding vehicle driven by two juveniles, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said the call came
SWOSU Biology Students Present Research at Oklahoma Academy of Science Meeting
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Twenty-two students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences presented their research at the 2025 Annual Technical Meeting of the Oklahoma Academy of Science, held
Field Study Trip Gives SWOSU Students Insight into Oklahoma Prairie Ecology
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) visited the Four Canyon Preserve for a full day of field observations and ecological study. The visit provided hands-on experience with Oklahoma’s native mixed-grass
Candidate Filing Begins For Board Of Education
Roger Mills Election Board Press Release Cheyenne, OK – Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, December 1st for 9 Roger Mills County school districts. Those who wish to file for a Board of Education
SWOSU Foundation Names New Board Leaders
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The Board of Trustees of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees held its Fall 2025 session recently on Thursday and Friday, November 6 and 7, in
