Building Better Communities: Southwest Oklahoma Hosts Walkability Workshops

Burns Flat, OK – The South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) honors the retirement of two remarkable leaders, Debora Glasgow and Robin Selman, whose combined decades of service have left an indelible mark on the organization and

Elk City, OK – While investigating inappropriate messages sent to a 16-year-old, Elk City Police uncovered an alleged inappropriate relationship between a 23-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl. According to court records Gavin Chase Vermillion was arrested

Burns Flat, OK – The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO) proudly announces the launch of its Safety Assessment Digital Map Survey, an interactive online tool designed to pinpoint safety concerns on a regional map. This

Elk City, OK – A Carter couple, 39-year-old Tara Dyer and 43-year-old Matthew Dyer, are out on bond after being arrested on December 27, 2024, on allegations of enabling child neglect involving their 16-year-old son. Authorities report

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations hit by severe storms, straight line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred April 25-May 9,

From devastating tragedies to inspiring resilience, 2024 was a year that tested the strength and spirit of Western Oklahoma. The region witnessed heartbreaking losses, shocking scandals, and natural disasters, balanced by moments of courage, community, and leadership.

Yukon, OK – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter: “America has lost a faithful and selfless public servant. While he faced a number of political challenges throughout

A tragic collision early Tuesday morning left one person dead and another injured on US-183 near E 860 Rd, approximately 13 miles north of Arapaho in Custer County. The crash occurred at approximately 12:06 a.m. and involved

A two-vehicle collision on US Highway 83, approximately six miles north of Shamrock, Texas, resulted in the death of a Kansas man. The crash occurred on December 17, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. According to authorities, the crash

A devastating collision on Monday claimed three lives and left a young child injured. The accident occurred around 6:02 PM on OK-44 and E 1440 Road, approximately four miles south of Lone Wolf. The crash involved a

Current Clinton Public Schools ag teacher Rick Dillinger is facing alleged felony embezzlement charges after being arrested this weekend, according to the Elk City Police Department. Dillinger, who previously was the ag teacher for Elk City Public

The Oklahoma State Department of Education released the 2024 Oklahoma School Report Cards last week, revealing a wide range of performance grades for schools in western Oklahoma. The report cards measure academic achievement, growth, attendance, and other

GPRMC Press Release The Elk City Homemakers recently donated over 50 stuffed animals to Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) to bring comfort to pediatric patients. This generous gesture reflects the group’s commitment to supporting the local

A single-vehicle collision involving a semi-truck temporarily shut down the eastbound lanes of I-40 near the 11-mile marker in Beckham County on Thursday, December 19, 2024. The accident occurred at 11:11 a.m., approximately four miles east of

The Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board has awarded funding to the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority (SWODA) to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. According to a press release, the funds aim to expand resources and services to save

An Elk City man is being held in the Beckham County Detention Center on a $40,000 bond after being charged with trafficking methamphetamine and destroying evidence. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. The

An Indiana man was recently arrested in Beckham County following a high-speed pursuit. According to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning, 21-year-old Arthur James Mhoon Jr. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was arrested on December 18 after county employees

A Clinton woman, 35-year-old Alicia Ruth Smith, also known as Alicia Ruth Dunn, faces felony and misdemeanor charges following an incident involving a Custer County Deputy on December 13, 2024. According to court records, Smith has been

A single-vehicle accident in Elk City early Sunday morning, where a car crashed into a pond, remains under investigation. According to Elk City Fire Chief Kyle Chervenka, the accident sent an unidentified man to an Oklahoma City

A tragic accident claimed the life of a 15-year-old Sayre resident on Sunday, December 22, 2024. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 7:57 PM on N 1900 Rd and E 1120 Rd, about four miles north of

A registered sex offender, Donald Joseph Smith, was arrested on December 2, 2024, after authorities discovered he was residing in violation of Oklahoma residency laws. Smith, 43, was also found in possession of drug paraphernalia during the

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members selected two new state board members during the organization’s 83rd annual meeting in Oklahoma City. Jimmy Taylor, from Roger Mills County, was chosen as the District 2 director. He will serve a three-year

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Music recently celebrated those who have contributed to the success of the SWOSU Piano Campaign with a donor recognition event at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA.) The

House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert has unveiled a new committee structure designed to improve the deliberation and vetting process for proposed legislation. The reorganization introduces a two-tiered structure of committees and oversight committees, creating opportunities for more thorough

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently hosted a luncheon featuring Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) Chancellor Sean Burrage and Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert. The luncheon was held at SWOSU’s Pioneer Event Center