August 9, 2023
By Landry Brewer
When this 1964 photo was taken, Lyndon Johnson was United States President.
President Kennedy had been assassinated the previous year.
More than 23,000 American troops were in southeast Asia trying to prevent a Communist takeover of South Vietnam, and that number would increase by more than 160,000 the following year.
In 1964, 11 nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles were housed in southwest Oklahoma—one as close as Willow, another at Granite—to deter a Soviet nuclear attack and retaliate if deterrence failed.
B-52 Strotofortress Bombers capable of dropping nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union were operated at Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base in Burns Flat.
Two years earlier, the world reached the brink of nuclear war during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Civil defense sirens to warn locals of imminent tornadoes or Soviet nuclear attack had also been installed in Elk City two years earlier.
Basements inside of Community Hospital, the Casa Grande Hotel, and the First Baptist Church building were designated public fallout shelters in case of a nuclear attack.
The editor of The 64 ELK, Jill Stallsmith, wrote a poignant Editor’s Message in the 1963-64 Elk City High School yearbook that included these words:
“During this turbulent year, feelings of distrust and hatred have enveloped our nation and the world, resulting in such distorted acts as the Vietnam Crisis and the tragic assassination of our President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
“We are fortunate that from our youth may come the ideals and actions which will form the keys necessary to lock this door of the material devastation and plundering and the ideological degradation of the cold war and open the door of peace and brotherhood of men.
“The value of this book will not be realized now while these activities are still vivid memories, and we are yet too young to change or influence world ideas, but rather in ten or twenty years when the memories of these activities have been obscured with the passing of time and we are the leaders of America. Then these pages, if we have been successful, will become treasured possessions.”
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Concert Tickets Available for 56th Annual SWOSU Jazz Festival Feb. 19–20
Weatherford, OK – The 56th annual SWOSU Jazz Festival returns to Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford Feb. 19–20. The festival brings two full days of live jazz to campus, including ticketed concerts, educational clinics, and
Red Flag Warning Issued for Western Oklahoma as Wind, Heat and Drought Raise Fire Danger
Norman, OK – A Red Flag Warning has been issued for much of western and southwestern Oklahoma as forecasters warn of dangerous fire weather conditions Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Norman upgraded a Fire Weather Watch
SWOSU to Host Aerospace and Defense Career Fair March 6
Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host an Aerospace and Defense Career Fair on Friday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pioneer Event Center. The event will connect students with
Archer Bill to Repurpose Abandoned Wells Advances in Oklahoma House
Oklahoma City, OK — Legislation authored by State Rep. Nick Archer of Elk City recently moved forward in the Oklahoma House. House Bill 3173, known as the Well Repurposing Act, recently passed out of the House Energy
Jacob Sappington is 2025-2026 Beutler History Scholar at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK — Jacob Sappington of Willow has been named the Dr. Randy L. Beutler History Scholar at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) for the 2025-2026 academic year. This scholarship, established by SWOSU’s 17th President, Dr. Randy
SWOSU selects Dr. Jason Johnson as provost
Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Jason Johnson as the University’s next provost and vice president for academic affairs. Johnson will officially begin his role April 1, pending approval
Pedestrian Killed in Early Morning Crash North of Altus
Altus, OK — A 23 year old Altus man was killed in a collision early Tuesday morning approximately four miles north of Altus, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at 6:21 a.m. on February
Merritt Bond Fails as Voters Decide School Measures and Local Races Across Western Oklahoma
Western Oklahoma – Voters across western Oklahoma made decisions Tuesday on several school bond proposals and municipal races, with mixed results throughout the region. The largest local headline came from Merritt Public Schools, where voters decisively rejected
Local Lawmaker’s Brine Development Bill Heads to Energy Committee
Oklahoma City, OK — A bill authored by state Rep. Anthony Moore, a Republican from Clinton, is set for consideration this week by the Oklahoma House Energy Committee. House Bill 4338, known as the Oklahoma Brine Development
Snyder Man Dies in Single Vehicle Crash in Kiowa County
Kiowa County, OK – A Snyder man was killed Monday morning in a single vehicle collision in Kiowa County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at 6:47 a.m. Feb. 9 on U.S. Highway 62B,
Elk City, Hobart Carnegie Libraries Receive National Recognition
Elk City, OK – Two longtime cornerstones of western Oklahoma communities are getting a boost as part of a nationwide celebration of America’s library legacy. The Elk City Carnegie Library and the Hobart Carnegie Library have each
Alisen Bristow Awarded SWOSU’s 2026 C.B. Graft Rule of Law Scholarship
Weatherford, OK – Alisen Bristow of Mountain View, Oklahoma, has been named the C.B. Graft Rule of Law Scholar at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. Bristow is a junior at SWOSU, majoring
SWODA Opens Route 66 Facade and Sign Revitalization Program
Burns Flat, OK – Retail business owners along historic Route 66 have a new opportunity to improve their buildings through a facade and sign revitalization incentive program offered by the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority. The program
Clinton Lawmaker Anthony Moore Files Education Bills Targeting Classroom Learning and College Access
Oklahoma City, OK – House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore of Clinton, R-Clinton, has filed a package of education bills aimed at improving classroom outcomes and expanding access to higher education for Oklahoma students. House Bill 4358
UPDATE: Man Receives Deferred Sentence in Beckham County Marijuana Trafficking Case
Beckham County, OK – A man previously released on bond after being accused of trafficking more than 120 pounds of marijuana in Beckham County has now received a deferred sentence, according to court records. As previously reported
Annual Voter Registration Report Released in Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma State Election Board has released its official annual voter registration report, showing a total of 2,406,168 registered voters statewide as of January 15, 2026. Republican voters make up the largest share
Weatherford woman charged with first-degree arson after trailer fire
Weatherford, OK – A Weatherford woman has been charged with first-degree arson following a November 2025 fire at a residence in the University Drive trailer park in Weatherford. According to court records filed in Custer County District
SWOSU Natural History Museum Leads Science Outreach at Stafford Elementary
Weatherford, OK – Faculty and students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Natural History Museum visited Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford Elementary School to provide a hands-on science experience for third-grade students. The outreach focused on
Clinton Lawmaker Co Authors Bill to Limit Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Industry
Oklahoma City, OK – A bill filed ahead of the Oklahoma Legislature’s 2026 session would significantly limit civil lawsuits against oil and gas companies, including claims tied to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. House Rep. Anthony
State Rep. Nick Archer Files Bill to Grow Oklahoma’s Nuclear Energy Sector
Oklahoma City, OK — As the second session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature gets underway, Elk City’s own Rep. Nick Archer has introduced House Bill 3175, a measure aimed at positioning Oklahoma for growth in advanced nuclear
Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws
Cheyenne, OK – With the February 10th Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws. PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election
Election Day Reminders and Tips
Cheyenne, OK – Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Februart 10th, for the Merritt School District Special Election. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice offers these important tips to voters—especially
Request an Emergency Ballot for the February 10th Elections
Cheyenne, OK – Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, January 26th and are unable make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary
Elk City Leadership Hall of Fame to Induct Three Tonight
Elk City, OK – Elk City will honor three distinguished community leaders tonight during the Elk City High School basketball doubleheader, with the Leadership Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place between the girls and boys games.
SWOSU Names Hartley as 2025-2026 Dr. John Hays Scholar
Weatherford, OK – Mason Hartley of Baxter Springs, Kansas is the recipient of the Dr. John Hays Scholarship for the 2025-2026 Academic Year at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). Hartley is a junior at SWOSU majoring in
