SWOSU Criminal Justice Professor Wins National Teaching Award

Weatherford, OK – The 2025-2026 Dr. Melody Ashenfelter Scholar at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is Tabor Marlatt of Sharon, Oklahoma. The Ashenfelter Scholarship is awarded annually to a student studying in the Everett Dobson College of

Sayre, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning is warning residents about a scam targeting families shortly after an arrest is made. According to Manning, scammers are using publicly available arrest information to contact family members and

Elk City, OK – Drivers across western Oklahoma are urged to continue using caution following the recent winter storm that moved through the region, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. While the area avoided some of

Norman, OK – A winter storm that moved through Western Oklahoma over the weekend delivered a wide range of snowfall totals, with several communities picking up significant accumulations. According to preliminary estimates from the National Weather Service

Western Oklahoma is beginning to dig out after a powerful winter storm moved through the state over the weekend, dumping heavy snow and creating hazardous travel conditions that continue into the new week. While snowfall is tapering

Norman, OK – Western Oklahoma is entering the early stages of a major winter storm as Arctic air pours into the state Friday morning. Temperatures are falling rapidly, wind chills are plunging below zero, and dangerous travel

Sayre, OK – Early voting for the Merritt Public Schools bond election will begin Thursday, Feb. 5, according to the Beckham County Election Board. Early voting will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, and Friday, Feb. 6, from

Norman, OK – As of 6 AM Thursday morning, January 22, the winter storm expected to impact western Oklahoma is coming into clearer focus, with some important changes to timing and impacts. The biggest change is that

Oklahoma City, OK – Rep. Nick Archer has introduced legislation aimed at positioning Oklahoma to compete for a future U.S. national laboratory and other major federal research centers. House Bill 3176 would create the Oklahoma Gas, Artificial

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has named Amanda Wood, Mattie Pritchett, and Mesa Flippo, all of Geary, Oklahoma, as the Bill and Elois Muncy Memorial Scholars for Academic Year 2025-2026. Wood is a freshman

Weatherford, OK – Cindy Hunt of Hydro, Oklahoma has been named the Ann Gillingham Memorial Teaching Scholarship winner at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) for the 2025-2026 academic year. Hunt is an educator at Hydro-Eakly Public Schools

Washington, D.C. – Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Beckham, Caddo, Greer, and Washita counties now have access to low interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration following a drought declaration affecting much

Western Oklahoma – As winter weather approaches across Oklahoma and neighboring states, utility and public safety officials are urging residents to prepare now to reduce risks and stay safe during cold temperatures, ice, and potential storms. Public

Wheeler County, Texas – Voters and potential candidates in Shamrock and Wheeler have several upcoming election-related deadlines and voting dates to be aware of, according to official notices released this week. The City of Shamrock General Election

Clinton, OK – A Clinton man is facing a felony charge after a high-speed police pursuit through Clinton that ended in a crash north of town. According to court records, Daydrean James Malone, 33, was charged in

Arapaho, OK – An Oklahoma City man has been charged in Custer County with a felony count of obtaining merchandise by bogus check, according to court records filed this month. Frashon Allen Ford, 30, of Oklahoma City,

Clinton, OK – Clinton Public Schools placed all campuses on a soft lockdown late Tuesday morning following an anonymous threat reported at Clinton Middle School. According to the district, the precautionary lockdown was initiated at approximately 11:44

Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Allied Health Sciences will host the third annual Anatomage Tournament, in collaboration with Anatomage, on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at the Pioneer Event Center. The tournament

Oklahoma City, OK – A blast of Arctic air and winter precipitation is on the way to western Oklahoma, bringing the first real chance of measurable snow and icy conditions of the season for Elk City, Weatherford,

Wheeler, TX – The Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department recently held its annual awards banquet, recognizing the dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of its firefighters over the past year. The banquet honored countless hours of training, emergency response,

Roger Mills County, OK – A coordinated, countywide emergency response helped stop four grass fires Friday afternoon, Jan. 16, with minimal damage despite ongoing drought conditions and elevated fire danger. According to information provided by Roger Mills

Elk City, OK – With the 2026 Regular Session set to begin Monday, February 2, members of the Oklahoma House are finalizing bill filings and committee agendas. Rep. Nick Archer (R-Elk City) recently shared insight into that

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host the 38th National Convention of Alpha Mu Gamma, the National Collegiate Languages Honor Society, from March 5–7, 2026. The event will bring together students, faculty, and language

Beckham County, OK – An Elk City man is facing felony charges following an alleged pursuit and arrest near Sayre on Sunday, Jan. 4. According to court records, Kevin Lanell Scott, 36, was arrested after authorities attempted

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) staff members were recognized Thursday, Jan. 8 during the 2026 Staff Day for a combined 435 years of service to the university. This collective total represents decades of commitment

Clinton, OK – A 15 year old girl is missing from the Clinton area, and authorities are asking for the public’s help. Amberlyn Blackwell was last seen at approximately 7:06 a.m. on December 29, 2025. Police say

Elk City, OK – The Elk City Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Chamber Banquet Tuesday night, bringing together local leaders, businesses, and community members for an evening focused on leadership, service, and the community’s future. During

Elk City, OK – Elk City Police Chief John Cook says the department is essentially finished with its long awaited police and fire facility project, with one major piece still pending before full occupancy. The final step

Weatherford, OK – The Department of Music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host the 56th Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival on February 19–20, 2026 in Weatherford. This festival is open to the public and will feature

Western Oklahoma – High speed fiber internet is now live for residents and businesses in and around Burns Flat and Granite, marking a major step forward for connectivity in western Oklahoma. Two broadband expansion projects serving Washita

Beckham County, OK – A weekend traffic stop on Interstate 40 nearly turned dangerous for a Beckham County deputy and ended with a drug related DUI arrest, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning said

Sayre, OK – A Sayre man has been charged in Beckham County District Court with larceny of a motor vehicle following an investigation that began just before Christmas. According to a probable cause affidavit, Kyle Lowell Minchey,

Cheyenne, OK – Voters in Roger Mills County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the February 10th Merritt School District Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice said today. Absentee ballots are

Childress County, TX – On Thursday, December 11, 26 pleas were entered in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County. The cases were prosecuted by District Attorney Luke Inman and Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle. Judge

Oklahoma City, OK — Oklahoma House Speaker Pro-Tem Anthony Moore says the next three weeks at the State Capitol will be critical in shaping budget decisions and policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Moore, who represents

Elk City, OK – Following the retirement of longtime Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland, the City of Elk City has officially named John Cook as its new Police Chief. Cook was sworn in on Dec. 31

Beckham County, OK – Beckham County law enforcement saw a relatively calm holiday season this year, with fewer serious incidents than in years past, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said the county avoided weather

Beckham County, OK – A reckless driving incident on Interstate 40 ended with an arrest after a brief pursuit and canine deployment Tuesday in Beckham County, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. The incident began near

Washington D.C. – The City of Erick is receiving new federal funding to strengthen its local wildfire response capabilities. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced more than $5 million in nationwide funding through its Slip on

Cheyenne, OK – Friday, January 16th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the February 10th Merritt School District Special Election, Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary

Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Transportation Commission met Monday morning, receiving updates on major highway projects and approving several engineering contracts and bridge improvements across the state. Oklahoma Transportation Commission members heard from Oklahoma Department of

Western Oklahoma – Western Oklahoma could be facing another dangerous wildfire season as early as January, with forecasters warning conditions may be worse and more widespread than last year. Predictors with the National Interagency Fire Center say

Sayre, OK – A Sayre man is facing multiple felony charges after investigators say he organized a forged check scheme from inside the Beckham County Jail, allegedly directing others to obtain and use stolen checks to secure

Weatherford, OK – A former Elk City teacher and a long-time Elk City businessman and civic leader recognized new alumni at the recent Southwestern Oklahoma State University fall graduation ceremony in Weatherford. Sue Ball, Basil Weatherly, and

Roger Mills County, OK – A wildfire burning near Kiowa Road in Roger Mills County scorched more than 300 acres of pasture land Tuesday afternoon before crews were able to bring it largely under control. According to

Western Oklahoma – From winter through late fall, 2025 delivered major headlines across western Oklahoma, including fatal crashes, a high-profile murder trial, a large-scale hazmat emergency, and significant changes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, alongside Route 66

Custer County, OK – A North Carolina woman is facing felony and misdemeanor drug charges following a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Custer County. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court,

Texas Panhandle – Nearly a year after the Smokehouse Creek Fire scorched more than a million acres across the Texas Panhandle and into Western Oklahoma, the cities of Wheeler and Canadian, Texas are among eleven Panhandle communities

Sayre, OK – City officials in Sayre say water service has been fully restored following a major 12 inch transmission line break early Christmas morning, with testing now underway to lift the city’s precautionary boil water advisory.