Sparks: Elk City School District In Good Financial Shape

Weatherford, OK — The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) today announced the appointment of Dr. Joel Kendall as Interim President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective January 12, 2026. Dr.

Oklahoma City, OK – State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that no political party filed a notice to allow Independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2026-2027 election years. Since no

Elk City, OK – An Elk City Police investigation into reported theft and fraud at Walmart has led to the arrest of a Clinton woman on multiple felony charges. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in

Beckham County, OK – Beckham County Sheriff’s Office deputies recovered multiple firearms while serving a search warrant connected to an ongoing child abuse investigation in Beckham County, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning said detectives were

Erick, OK – A stolen vehicle reported in Erick was recovered within hours thanks to quick work by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office. According to Derek Manning, the vehicle and an attached trailer were reported stolen by

Sayre, OK – An investigation by the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office uncovered an attempted fraud scheme involving an inmate inside the Beckham County Jail, according to Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said the case was uncovered through the

Wheeler County, TX – Bobbie Walker has announced her candidacy for Wheeler County Clerk, citing long-standing ties to the county and extensive experience in county government. Walker has lived in Wheeler County for 26 years and will

Weatherford, OK – Enrollment is now open for the Spring 2026 term of the SWOSU Music Academy, a program that connects young musicians with quality instruction and performance opportunities. The 10-week term begins February 2 and ends

Caddo County, OK – A two vehicle collision was reported Friday night at the intersection of State Highway 152 and State Highway 58 in Caddo County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately

Elk City, OK – A Beckham County man is facing multiple charges after an incident at a local hospital escalated into assaults on medical staff and law enforcement, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning

Weatherford, OK – Plans are moving forward for a new Amazon delivery facility in Weatherford, a development local leaders say will strengthen the area’s economy and create new employment opportunities. The company will build a 30,000 square

Elk City, OK – Christmas in the Park is winding down, and this Saturday night, December 20, is your last chance to enjoy all the weekend activities in Elk City’s Ackley Park. The Christmas light display will

Austin, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy, alleging the utility’s negligence caused the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire, which burned more than one million acres in Texas and spread into

Elk City, OK — City officials, state leaders, and community members gathered at the Elk City Municipal Airport today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new aircraft hangar and terminal building, marking a major milestone in

Thomas, OK – A single vehicle injury collision was reported late Monday night in rural Custer County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred on December 15, 2025, at approximately 10:06 pm in a wheat

Weatherford, OK – The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents today announced that Dr. Diana Lovell has submitted her resignation as President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective December 31, 2025. RUSO and SWOSU

Sayre, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says heightened security measures at the Beckham County Jail led to two separate contraband incidents being detected last week, preventing illegal items from entering the facility. Sheriff Manning said

Childress County, TX – Three pleas were entered Monday, December 8, in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County. Luke Inman, District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted

Tulsa, OK – Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is helping families in Western Oklahoma save energy and money through its Shine a Light Project, delivering free LED light bulbs to food pantries in communities including Elk

Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Dec. 8 meeting opened with statewide recognition for a major western Oklahoma project, as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s District 5 received one of the industry’s highest honors

Elk City, OK – A man living in Elk City is facing a felony drug trafficking charge after a controlled purchase at his home led to the discovery of pills containing a fentanyl precursor and methamphetamine, according

Cordell, OK – The Washita County Sheriff’s Office has received a National Highway Safety Grant to support a speed reduction awareness and high-visibility enforcement campaign aimed at reducing speeding-related crashes. Through the “Speeding Slows You Down” initiative,

Burns Flat, OK – Oklahoma’s commission responsible for advancing the state’s space industry finalized a deal this week to construct a hangar for a $17 million spaceplane. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission approved construction

Weatherford, OK – The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings on the anhydrous ammonia leak that struck Weatherford on the night of November 12, an incident that injured dozens, forced large evacuations, and has

Elk City, OK – Elk City Police arrested a man following an online predator investigation that began December 6 at a convenience store on the east side of the city. Officers were notified about an adult male,

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

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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,