Local News

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Welcome to Western Oklahoma News, your go-to source for local news and information in the Western Oklahoma region. Hosted by Jared Atha, our news team works hard to bring you the latest headlines and breaking news stories from your local area.
Tune in to 96.5 KECO three times daily – at 8 AM, Noon, and 5 PM – to stay informed about what’s happening in your community. From local events and politics to sports and weather updates, we cover it all, keeping you up-to-date and in-the-know.
With our team of experienced journalists and reporters, you can trust that Western Oklahoma News delivers the most accurate and up-to-date news and information in the region. So join us every day and stay informed about the latest developments in your local area.

🎸 Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 – July 19 in Sayre, OK
Get ready, Western Oklahoma — Wild Plum Jam Music Fest 2025 is back and it might get a little Western! 🤠 Join us on Saturday, July 19 at Sayre City Park for a full day of music,

Multi-Agency Sting in Elk City Nets Six Arrests on Drug and Felony Charges
Elk City, OK — A coordinated law enforcement operation led by the Elk City Police Department has resulted in multiple arrests tied to serious criminal offenses, following the execution of several search warrants. The effort, carried out

Elk City High School Graduate Named OCU A.D.
Oklahoma City, OK – Elk City native Sadiaa Jones was recently hired as the new Oklahoma City University Athletics Director. The 1995 Elk City High School graduate has been Executive Athletic Director for Dallas College since 2021.

SWOSU, Community Leaders Visit Fort Sill with Oklahoma Army National Guard
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Representatives from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and the City of Weatherford recently joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard for a visit to Fort Sill that highlighted the Guard’s military capabilities

SWOSU and OSIDA Partner to Expand Workforce Opportunities
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, June 9, during a ceremony at SWOSU’s Weatherford campus. The

Alumni Weekend Raises Over $40,000 for SWOSU Football Program
Weatherford, OK – Dozens of Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) alumni and friends spent a stellar weekend celebrating SWOSU Football Legacy weekend June 6 and 7, in Weatherford. Over $40,000 was raised to support the SWOSU football

Concrete Truck Overturns at 20th and Pioneer in Elk City
Elk City, OK – A concrete truck overturned Thursday morning just after 10 a.m. at the intersection of 20th Street and Pioneer in Elk City. According to Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland, the truck tipped over

Great Plains Regional Medical Center: Helping save lives, decrease Opioids impact
SWODA Press Release Beckham County – SWODA is proud to announce a significant partnership with Great Plains Regional Medical Center. The partnership placed a Naloxone vending machine at the Emergency Room entrance of the hospital, providing 24-hour,

Clinton Utility Customers Urged to Pay Early Ahead of Software Transition
Clinton, OK – The City of Clinton has announced a temporary disruption in utility payment services due to a scheduled software transition. From Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, through Thursday, June 19, 2025, there will be no

Rick Koch Announces Candidacy for State Senate District 26
Weatherford, OK – Rick Koch, a conservative businessman and community leader, has officially entered the race for Oklahoma State Senate District 26. The announcement came in a press release provided by Koch’s campaign, highlighting a platform centered

Oklahoma Drought-Free for First Time in Nearly Six Years
Oklahoma is officially drought-free—for the first time since June 25, 2019. The U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, June 12, 2025, shows no signs of drought across the entire state. Not even the typical “Abnormally Dry” (D0)

OSIDA Announces Historic Partnership with Dawn Aerospace to Bring Spaceflight to Oklahoma
OSIDA Press Release Burns Flat, OK – The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) is proud to announce an innovative partnership with Dawn Aerospace that will bring the company’s revolutionary Aurora spaceplane to the Oklahoma Air and

Route 66 Fest Returns to Elk City for Father's Day Weekend Fun
Elk City, OK — The Route 66 Fest is rolling back into Elk City for a weekend packed with entertainment, food, and community celebration just in time for Father’s Day. Hosted at Ackley Park on Friday and

Western Oklahoma Rt 66 Cruise Rolls Through the Heart of Route 66 Communities
Western Oklahoma’s rich stretch of Route 66 will come alive again this summer with the annual Western Oklahoma Rt 66 Cruise, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 13–14. The cruise kicks off Friday morning at 8 a.m.

Oklahoma Route 66 Museum to Host Book Signing With Authors Jim Ross and Shellee Graham
Oklahoma Historical Society Press Release Clinton, OK — On Saturday, June 28, from 1-4 p.m., the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum will host a special signing for the new book “Route 66 – The First 100 Years” with

Fatal Crash Claims Life of El Reno Teen Near Lookeba
Caddo Co., OK – A fatal single-vehicle collision claimed the life of a 17-year-old El Reno male early Tuesday morning, June 10, 2025, in Caddo County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:57

Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Propositions in Cheyenne and Clinton
Voters in both Cheyenne and Clinton turned out Tuesday, June 10, for special elections—and delivered decisive results in favor of two local propositions. Cheyenne Approves PSO Franchise Ordinance In Cheyenne, residents voted 36 to 3 in favor

SoonerCare and SNAP Enrollment Event Coming to Elk City
Elk City, OK — Red Rock Behavioral Health Services is hosting a special outreach event on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their Elk City Outpatient Office, located at 3080 W. 3rd

Rep. Anthony Moore Reflects on “Strong, Productive” Legislative Session
Oklahoma City, OK – Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton), who served as Speaker Pro Tempore during the First Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, called the session “phenomenal,” despite a hectic finish. “We ended with a bit of

ODOT Celebrates Safety Success with District 5 in the Spotlight
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) held its June Transportation Commission meeting on June 4, 2025, honoring the commitment of its crews to workplace safety. ODOT Executive Director Tim?Gatz and Assistant Director of

Clinton Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase Through Residential Streets
Clinton, OK — A Clinton man is facing multiple charges after leading police on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential areas in the early morning hours of May 31, 2025. According to a probable cause affidavit filed

The Time Kramer was Jailed in Cordell
By Landry Brewer Cordell, OK – Washita County Undersheriff Rusty Cannon and his wife, Carol, met a famous actor at the sheriff’s office a decade and a half ago. The celebrity was in Cordell then because of

William Morris and Gail Williams Make Generous Gift to Support Future Educators at SWOSU
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is proud to announce a significant gift from William (Bill) Morris, a 1974 alumnus of the university, and his wife, Gail, both of Wichita, Kansas. This

Voters Head to the Polls Tuesday for Special Elections in Cheyenne and Clinton
Voters in Cheyenne and Clinton will weigh in on two separate propositions during a special election on Tuesday, June 10. Cheyenne Ordinance on PSO Franchise Agreement Residents of the Town of Cheyenne will decide whether to grant

Clinton Public Schools Names Nathan Meget as Next Superintendent
Clinton, OK – Clinton Public Schools has found its next leader. Following the departure of Superintendent Tyler Bridges, the Clinton Board of Education voted Friday to name Nathan Meget as the district’s new superintendent. Meget, who currently

Escaped Inmate Back in Custody After Elk City Traffic Stop
Elk City, OK – Michael Antonio Moreno, the 30-year-old who fled custody from the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office last week, has been apprehended. According to a Wednesday night Facebook post from the Elk City Police Department, Moreno

SWOSU Announces Hodge Center Room Naming Rights & Sponsorship Opportunities
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the availability of room naming rights and sponsorship opportunities within the Jerry & Margaret Hodge Center for Pharmacy & Rural Health. Scheduled to open

Mitscheke Family Makes Major Gift to SWOSU Football
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the receipt of a major charitable contribution from the Jim & Tanya Mitschke Family of Owasso. Mitschke is a 1964 SWOSU Alumnus who was

Election Officials Offer Voting Tips
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the Roger Mills County Special Election and the City of Clinton special election. Voting officials offer these important tips to voters—especially those who will be

Man Sought After Alleged Burglary Attempt in Elk City
Elk City, OK — Authorities are searching for 37-year-old Robert Luna of Lubbock, Texas, after an alleged attempted home break-in last month in Elk City. Luna has multiple outstanding warrants in western Oklahoma, including serious felony charges

Weatherford Duo Facing Charges After Gun Threat, Stolen Firearms Recovered
Weatherford, OK – Two 19-year-old Weatherford men are facing criminal charges after a late-night disturbance led to the recovery of stolen firearms and allegations of violent threats. Court records show that Sonny Ray Allen Armstrong-Mendez and Tyler

Woodward Man Killed in Blaine County Collision on U.S. 270
Watonga, OK – A fatal crash west of Watonga claimed the life of a Woodward man early Tuesday morning, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The wreck happened around 7:04 a.m. on U.S. Highway 270, just west

Beckham County Sheriff’s Office Finalizing Budget for FY 2025-2026
Sayre, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says he and his team are working hard to finalize the office’s budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. “I’ve been working very hard with my administrative assistant, Sonya Blagg,”

UPDATE: Man Still Wanted After Escaping Custody at Beckham County Sheriff’s Office
Sayre, OK – Authorities are still searching for 30-year-old Michael Moreno after he fled from custody last week in a bizarre scene that played out inside the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office. According to Sheriff Derek Manning, Moreno

Registrations Open for SWOSU Music Camps 2025
Weatherford, OK – The Department of Music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) invites middle- and high-school musicians to register for the 70th summer of SWOSU Music Camps hosted in Weatherford. The 2025 Music Camp offerings include

SWOSU to Host Free Family STEAM Night on June 5
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Engage Learning is collaborating with Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) to host its first-ever Family STEAM Night on Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the SWOSU Ballroom in

Weatherford Man Receives 35 Year Prison Sentence
Arapaho, OK – Former Weatherford city employee Todd Alan Earp pleaded guilty to 10 sex-related charges Monday in Custer County District Court. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with 15 years deferred. Earp was charged

Request an Emergency Ballot for the June 10th Election
Cheyenne, OK – Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 26th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary

Canute Man Arrested After Two-Day Manhunt
Canute, OK — A Canute man is facing multiple felony charges following a two-day manhunt that involved several law enforcement agencies. Jesse Lynn Davis, 42, of Canute, was booked into the Beckham County Jail at 8:16 p.m.

Rep. Frank Lucas Seeks Applicants for U.S. Service Academy Nominations
Washington DC – In a press release, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) is encouraging high school seniors in his district to apply for a nomination to one of the nation’s prestigious U.S. Service Academies. Each year, Lucas has

Sales Tax Returns Rise Across Western Oklahoma; Elk City Leads the Way
The Oklahoma Tax Commission’s May 8 distribution of sales tax collections, reflecting business from March 16–31 and estimates from April 1–15, shows a strong upward trend for many western Oklahoma communities. In total, $206.7 million in sales

Search Underway for Escaped Detainee in Beckham County
Sayre, OK – The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office, along with other local law enforcement agencies, is actively searching for 30-year-old Michael Moreno, who escaped custody earlier today. Authorities say Moreno fled while being escorted by his bondsman

Granite Wash Leads Nation in Rig Growth, Holding Strong in Oklahoma and Texas
Western Oklahoma – Of all the oil and gas plays across the U.S., the Granite Wash saw the most dramatic gain in drilling activity, according to the latest Baker Hughes rig count. Located in Beckham, Roger Mills,

Fatal ATV Crash Claims Life of 14-Year-Old Near Fort Cobb
Caddo County, OK — A 14-year-old boy from Lookeba died Tuesday evening in an ATV crash near the intersection of County Road 1280 and County Street 2520, approximately three miles north and three miles west of Fort

Oklahoma Sets Course for Aerospace Leadership with Spaceport Expansion and New Legislation
Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma is positioning itself as a leader in the space industry with the recent signing of Senate Bill 912. This legislation integrates the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) into the Oklahoma Department

Stitt’s Veto Spree Marks Record Year: Religious Institutions and Zoo Plate Bills Blocked
Oklahoma City, OK — As of May 27, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt has issued roughly 50 vetoes during this legislative session—his highest count since taking office—blocking a range of bills that passed with overwhelming support from both

Governor Stitt Appoints Dana Hada as Associate District Judge for Custer County
Provided Press Release Oklahoma City, OK – Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of Dana Jean Hada as associate district judge for Custer County. “Dana brings a wealth of legal experience, a strong commitment to justice,

Three Amigos
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – MacKinley, Quinn, and Spence Brewer are an Elk City High School first. In the ECHS tennis program’s half-century existence, they’re the first set of three siblings to play on the

New Mayor is Learning the Art of Governing
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – Elk City may have a political Picasso in the making. Micah Kilhoffer was sworn in as mayor on April 7. Born and raised here, he’s a 2002 Elk City High

OBN Raids Illegal Marijuana Operation in Lone Wolf, Seizes Thousands of Plants
Lone Wolf, OK — The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) executed a search warrant at Bunny Grows, LLC in Lone Wolf on May 21, uncovering what officials describe as a large-scale illegal marijuana operation. According to a