April 28, 2022
By News Director Jared Atha
The latest data is in from the U.S. Drought Monitor and the news is not good for the western Oklahoma and the east Texas panhandle.
According to the map that was updated on Tuesday (April 26) counties described as being in an exceptional drought – the highest on the scale – include the southern portion of Beckham County, and all of Greer, Harmon and Jackson Counties.
Other area counties described as being in an extreme drought include the rest of Beckham County, Custer, Washita, and Roger Mills County.
Conditions aren’t any better in Texas.
According to the Monitor, all of Hemphill, Wheeler Counties are in an extreme drought with portions of Collingsworth County in an exceptional drought.
Will there be relief this week?
According to the National Weather Service in Norman, rain chances are in the forecast for the rest of today (Thursday) and tonight, but only at 20%. However a red flag warning is scheduled to go back into affect at 1p.m. Friday for much of the listening area due to temperatures hitting the lower 90s and gusty south winds.
Copyright 2022 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Drought “Exceptional” In Southwest Oklahoma
April 28, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha The latest data is in from the U.S. Drought Monitor and the news is not good for the western Oklahoma and the east Texas panhandle. According to the map
“Just Like Hunting for Snipes”
My Take, with Paul Joseph
Alleged Drunk Driving Leads to Child Endangerment Charge
April 27, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Cheyenne woman was arrested in Custer County recently after being found with a juvenile while allegedly driving under the influence. According to the probable cause affidavit filed by
Quezada Selected to Represent SWOSU as Nigh Scholar
April 27, 2022 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University student Francisco Quezada of Elk City is the university’s representative at the 2022 George and Donna Nigh Leadership Academy. Quezada will attend the academy April 29 through
Moore Sends Letter to Attorney General Requesting Action on Stillwater Restroom Policy
April 27, 2022 Press Release Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor on April 22, 2022 requesting that his office take action regarding a recent resolution passed by the Stillwater Public
SWOSU President Dr. Diana Lovell Inauguration Set for Friday, April 29
April 25, 2022 SWOSU Press Release An inaugural event for Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) President Dr. Diana Lovell will be held this Friday, April 29, on the Weatherford campus, and the public is invited. The investiture
Former Felon Accused Of Hitting Man on Bicycle
April 26, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Clinton man was charged earlier this month after allegedly hitting a person riding a bicycle on a Clinton city street. According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident
Redistricting to Affect Western Oklahoma Voters
April 26, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Mandatory redistricting efforts have caused some precinct boundaries to change in western Oklahoma. As a result, some voters will be assigned to new polling places. Voting officials say precinct
Students Named to SWOSU President’s Leadership Class
April 25, 2022 SWOSU Press Release Seventeen high school seniors have been selected to the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) for 2022-23 at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Members of the class and their high schools are:
Single Vehicle Accident Hospitalizes One
April 25, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A single vehicle accident near Vici on Friday has hospitalized a Sharon woman. According to the collision report provided by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the accident occurred five miles
Esports Equipment Approved For Elk City Activity Center
April 25, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha With the Elk City Activity Center nearing completion, the Elk City Commission has approved the purchase of equipment for the esports portion of the building. Activity Center Director Matt
Elk City Sales Tax Collections Over $1 Million
April 22, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha After being down in collections last month, the City of Elk City has seen a boost in sales tax collections. During her report to the City Commission recently, City
Hammon Man Accused of Sexual Battery
April 22, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Hammon man was charged in Custer County District Court recently after allegedly inappropriately touching a convenience store employee. According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Custer
Rutabagas and Kumquats
My Take, With Paul Joseph
Presentation Aims to “Empower” Elk City Teachers
April 21, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha The Elk City School District will not have school tomorrow due to a professional day that will see the district’s teachers be involved in hands on training. However, according
Moore Bill on Marijuana Grow Reclamation Passes in House
April 21, 2022 Provided Press Release Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton received passage of Senate Bill 1697 through the House Wednesday. The bill, authored by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, in the Senate, would require all applicants for a
Lt. Governor Visits Elk City
April 21, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell was in Elk City Thursday as part of the 34th Annual Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt that tours Oklahoma towns and cities and showcases Oklahoma
Oklahoma Election ‘22: Candidates Talk About Their Platforms
April 20, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha As local candidates get ready for upcoming primary campaigns, many constituents in western Oklahoma are asking: what does the candidate stand for? That question was posed to the two
UPDATE: Weatherford Detective Turns Himself In
April 20, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Weatherford detective indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury for allegedly stealing pills from an evidence room has turned himself in. According to court records, 39-year-old Jeremy Anderson surrendered
Elk City Commission Approve First Step Towards New Golf Clubhouse
April 20, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha During the latest meeting of the Elk City Commission, a development and transfer agreement between the Elk City Golf and Country Club Association and the City of Elk City
Dr. Wendy Yoder Named Dean of Students at SWOSU
April 20, 2022 SWOSU Press Release Dr. Wendy Yoder has been named Dean of Students at Southwestern Oklahoma State University with locations in Weatherford, Sayre and Yukon. Having worked in higher education since 2006, Yoder has led
Weatherford Detective Indicted
April 19, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A local detective has been indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury for allegedly stealing pills from an evidence room. According to court records, 39-year-old Weatherford Police Detective Jeremy Anderson
Elk City Commission To Consider Clubhouse Agreement
April 19, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha The Elk City Commission is scheduled to meet for it’s mid-month meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon in City Hall. An agenda item that’s been a hot topic for the community
Oklahoma Election ‘22: H.D. 57 Candidates Prepare For Race
April 19, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Now that the dust has settled after a frantic filing period for public office in the State of Oklahoma, potential candidates are now focusing on their upcoming campaigns. The
Wanted Clinton Man Arrested
April 18, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A wanted Clinton man was arrested last week by police after a city resident recognized the man and was able to direct police to a home the suspect may
Smoke To Blame For Beckham Co. I-40 Pile Up
April 18, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Smoke from a grass fire is to blame for a four vehicle pile up on Interstate 40 near Sayre Friday afternoon. According to the collision report provided by the
Oklahoma Election ‘22: Moore Draws an Opponent
April 18, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A surprising development in the political theater in western Oklahoma after the state’s filing period wrapped up on Friday afternoon. State Representative Anthony Moore of Clinton, who is currently
Campaigns Develop in Western Oklahoma
April 15, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Filing for offices throughout the state continued on Thursday. As of Thursday afternoon a race has developed in Beckham County for the county assessor position. Jonathan Beck has filed
Sparks: Elk City School District In Good Financial Shape
April 15, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha During the latest Elk City School Board meeting, Superintendent Mike Sparks gave the latest financial report that he says shows some positive signs. He said although stimulus money that
Man Suspected of Burglarizing Local High School – Twice – Charged
April 15, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Clinton man was charged recently with two counts of second-degree burglary and knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property after two or more felony convictions after he allegedly burglarizing
First Day of Election Filings Sees Local Candidates Declare
April 14, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Statewide election activity officially began Wednesday with the filing period opening to the public. As of Wednesday afternoon in Beckham County Kayla York Harris has filed to run for
Major Infrastructure Project Could Begin In Elk City This Summer
April 14, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Speaking to the Elk City Rotary Club, Elk City City Manager Tom Ivester updated the group of a major upcoming infrastructure project. Ivester said work could begin on the
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Returns Saturday, May 14
April 14, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha On May 14, letter carriers in Beckham County will collect nonperishable food donations from homes on their routes as part of the 30th National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp
And This Lamp is All I Need
My Take, With Paul Joseph
Clinton School Board Moving Forward With Construction Plans
April 13, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha After last week’s public approval of a bond issue for the construction of a new middle school and other various school improvements in the district, the Clinton Public School
Elk City Commission and Golf Association Conduct “Study Session”
April 13, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha The Elk City Commission along with the Elk City Golf and Country Club Association met in a formal setting Tuesday night and conducted a “study session” regarding the history,
Elk City School Board Intends to Address Transportation Needs
April 12, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha It was announced Monday night during the regular meeting of the Elk City School Board that the district will be introducing a new bond issue to the public. Superintendent
SWOSU’s Oliver Wins Distinguished Dissertation Award
April 12, 2022 SWOSU Press Release Dana Oliver, assistant professor in the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Department of Education, recently received the Association of Teacher Education Programs of Kansas (ATE-K) Distinguished Dissertation Award. Oliver teaches literacy education
Wanted Clinton Man Accused of Soliciting Teen
April 11, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Clinton man is wanted in Beckham County after being accused of sending inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old Elk City girl. According to court records an outstanding warrant for
Russ’s Co-Authored Abortion Bill Expected To See House Floor This Week
April 11, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Oklahoma continues to restrict abortions through the legislature, and a bill co-authored by Rep. Todd Russ (R – Cordell) is slated to head the House sometime this week. Senate
Fire Weather “Extreme” For Tuesday
April 11, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Another grass fire in western Oklahoma over the weekend. This one broke out late Saturday afternoon, west of the town of Foss in Washita County that, due to the
Are We Going to Talk About Feelings?
My Take, With Paul Joseph
SWOSU Announces New Advancement Team Members
April 8, 2022 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre and Yukon has announced the expansion of the SWOSU Office of Institutional Advancement to better serve SWOSU’s alumni, emeriti and friends.
High Winds Fuel “Britt” Fire
April 8, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Multiple fire crews including the Elk City Fire Department along with the Beckham County Task Force, Roger Mills County Task Force, and crews from Texas responded to a wild
ODOT Awards Nearly $130 million in Contracts
April 8, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha The Oklahoma Transportation Commission awarded nearly $130 million in highway construction projects during its meeting this week in Oklahoma City. As part of the consent docket, the commission approved
Elk City Activity Center Nearing Completion
April 7, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Elk City’s Activity Center is nearly complete. According to City Manager Tom Ivester, the structure being built in Ackley Park West could be fully functional by the end of
Shoplifter Charged After Attempting to Flee Police
April 7, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha A Dill City man accused of attempting to steal items from the Elk City Walmart has been charged with a felony after attempting to run from police at the
Statewide Candidates Filing Begins Wednesday
April 7, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Voting officials have announced that statewide election activity officially begins at 8a.m., Wednesday when the filing period opens. Filing closes on Friday, April 15. Potential candidates will be allowed
Dr. Adam Johnson Named Vice President for Student Affairs at SWOSU
April 6, 2022 SWOSU Press Release Dr. Adam Johnson of Yukon has been named vice president for student affairs at Southwestern Oklahoma State University with locations in Weatherford, Sayre and Yukon. Johnson, a native Oklahoman raised in
School Bond Issue Passed in Clinton
April 6, 2022 By News Director Jared Atha Voters returned to the polls on Tuesday and decided multiple school board races in western Oklahoma. Two school districts in the area had propositions approved by voters as well.