
March 27, 2023
Public Service Company Press Release
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, today announced 54 American Electric Power (AEP) grants to underwrite innovative classroom approaches in local schools.
Ranging from $160 to $500, AEP Teacher Vision Grants are designed to make creative projects possible for Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers.
The AEP grants will mean treated lumber to build a BMX obstacle course at a Broken Arrow high school, podcasting equipment for Waynoka public schools tudents, and model rockets for Jenks High School.
Oklahoma educators who live or teach in the PSO service areas or in communities with major AEP facilities are eligible to apply for the grants. With an eye toward improving student academic achievement, AEP has a special interest in science, mathematics, technology, electrical safety and the balanced study of energy and the environment.
Each year, the AEP Teacher Vision grant program awards up to $70,000 across the company’s 11-state service area.
“These projects reflect the creativity, talent and dedication of Oklahoma teachers,” said PSO Vice President of External Affairs Tiffini Jackson. “PSO is proud to help make these innovative classroom projects a reality.”
For more information on the AEP Teacher Vision Grant program and other AEP education initiatives, go to http://www.aep.com/go/education.
Grant recipients for 2023 include:
Aline-Cleo Public Schools: Charles Frech
Alva Public Schools: Kimberly Daniels, Gregory McClure, Dixie Meyer
Antlers Public Schools: Krystal Day, Amy Gardner, Johnna Kinslow, Kathy Mitchell, Randle Moyer, Lindsey Riser, Brittani Savage, Jon Tucker, Tonya Tucker, Cody Vaughan
Atoka Public Schools: Monica Cathey, Tamara Edwards, Shanci Garison, Darla Jackson, Jonathan Kaufman, Christie Miller, David Swift, Melissa Walker, Roni Wieldt, Jeani Williams, Christopher Wingo, Brock Woolf
BoswellPublic Schools: Susannah Bodine, Ashley Smallwood
Broken Arrow Public Schools: Ginger Arteaga, Reese Hundley, Kristi Mowery
Carnegie Public Schools: Kane Kinion
Chouteau-Mazie Public Schools: Don Bendure
Great Plains Technology Center: Mitchell Dorrell
Grove Public Schools: Linda Adams, Anna Hampton, Chelsey Lewandowski, Shelby Rhatigan, Stephanie Thomas
Hobart Public Schools: Vanessa Baker
Hugo Public Schools: Sandra Allen, Cheyenne Carlile, Brenda Blankenship, Jennifer Nelson, Brandi Cook, Bethany Smith
Jay Public Schools: Jennifer Martin
Jenks Public Schools: Crystal Finch
Okmulgee Public Schools: Maggie Bailey
Oologah Public Schools: Kadie Smith
Soper Public Schools: Tammy Gravitt
Waynoka Public Schools: Pat Burrow, Kourtney Webb, Megan Smith
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

Elk City Police Investigating Sayre Man for Internet-Related Child Crimes
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department is conducting an investigation at the request of the District Attorney’s Office involving Mickey Ezell Jr. of Sayre, Oklahoma. Ezell was arrested Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025, at

Dobson Fiber Is Title Sponsor of SWOSU’s 2025 Everett Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Longtime Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) benefactor Dobson Fiber will serve as the Official Title Sponsor of the 2025 Everett Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic. The Dobson Bulldog Golf Classic began in

SWOSU North Family Lecture Kicks Off 2025 Crowder Lake Season
SWOSU Press Release Crowder Lake University Park at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) kicked off the 2025 season on April 4 with the annual North Family Lecture and Friends of Crowder Lake Dinner. The event was held

SWOSU Rover Dawgs Compete at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge
SWOSU Press Release The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Rover Dawgs recently competed at NASA’s 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), held April 11-12 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The event brought

Free Dumping Weekend at Shamrock City Landfill – May 2 & 3
Shamrock, TX – The City of Shamrock will offer free dumping at the City Landfill during the first weekend in May. Residents may bring household items and debris for disposal at no charge on Friday, May 2

Clinton Superintendent Tyler Bridges Announces Departure for Stillwater Post
Clinton, OK — After nearly five years leading Clinton Public Schools, Superintendent Tyler Bridges is moving on. The Stillwater Board of Education voted during a special April 15 meeting to hire Bridges as the next Superintendent of

Fatal Crash Claims Life of Arapaho Woman in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A fatal single-vehicle crash occurred Tuesday morning, April 15, 2025, at approximately 9:32 a.m. on OK-47 and N 2310 Road, about seven miles west of Thomas, Oklahoma, in Custer County. According to the

SWOSU’S LPN to BSN Program Ranked 2nd in Oklahoma
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)’s LPN to BSN program has been ranked 2nd in the state for 2025 by PracticalNursing.org. PracticalNursing.org evaluates programs across the country that offer pathways for licensed

SWOSU Announces 2025 Distinguished Alumni
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame honorees. Known as “SWOSU’s highest honor,” the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 1976 by

Elk City Announces Free Spring Cleanup Week at Municipal Landfill
Elk City, OK – Elk City residents can take advantage of free dumping at the Elk City Municipal Landfill from Monday, April 28 through Saturday, May 3, 2025, as part of the city’s annual spring cleanup effort.

Dayna Hardaway Named Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has announced the appointment of Dayna Hardaway as the institution’s next Assistant Vice President for Human Resources. Hardaway will officially begin her role on April 21, 2025, and will

Burns Flat Man Arrested on Felony Firearm Charges in Elk City
Elk City, OK — A Burns Flat man, Jerry Lee Wright, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to purchase a firearm despite being a convicted felon, according to documents filed in Beckham County District Court. Wright, 44,

Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot for May 13th Election Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Voters in Roger Mills County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the May 13th Special County Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice said today. Absentee ballots are available

Elk City Man Arrested After High-Speed Police Chase
Elk City, OK — A high-speed police chase through Elk City ended in an arrest just after 2 a.m. Sunday, April 8, 2025, after a suspect refused to stop for officers and endangered multiple drivers along the

Clinton Man Faces Felony Charges After High-Speed Chase in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A Clinton man is facing serious charges after a high-speed chase through Custer County on April 5, 2025. Victor Rios Jr., 41, has been charged with four counts, including a felony for endangering

SWOSU Biology Students Visit Sam Noble Museum’s Herpetology Collection
Norman, OK – Students from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Biological Sciences program recently traveled to the Sam Noble Museum in Norman for an educational visit focused on reptile and amphibian biodiversity. They were accompanied by

SWOSU Chemistry Students and Faculty Present at ACS Spring Meeting
San Diego, CA – Students and faculty from the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently attended the Spring 2025 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in San Diego, Calif.

Elk City Police Department Hiring Full-Time Officer
Elk City, OK – The City of Elk City is currently accepting applications for a full-time police officer position. This role involves enforcing laws, preventing crime, conducting investigations, issuing citations, controlling traffic, and supporting various law enforcement

Two Ringling Residents Killed in Rollover Crash Near Sweetwater
Sweetwater, OK — A fatal crash claimed the lives of two Ringling residents Thursday afternoon near the intersection of OK-6 and N 1770 Road, about five miles east of Sweetwater. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports the crash

Mini-Golf Course Should be Big Fun
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – The new Ackley Park mini-golf course is on schedule for completion later this month. The 18-hole course will include a 3-hole practice green “The price will remain $3 per person

Elk City Fire Department Hiring Career Firefighter
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Fire & EMS Department is looking for its next dedicated team member. The department is now accepting applications for a Career Firefighter position. Elk City’s Fire Department is a combination

Local Texas Elections Set for May
Wheeler County, TX – Local elections are just around the corner, with key seats up for grabs in Shamrock, Wheeler, and the Parkview Hospital in Wheeler, Texas. Voters will help shape the future of their communities by

Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation Shut Down in Washita County
Dill City, OK — In a coordinated effort among local and state agencies, an illegal marijuana grow operation was successfully shut down Thursday at the intersection OK-152 and OK-44 just west of Dill City in Washita County.

Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
Cheyenne, OK – Friday, April 18th, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the May 13th Roger Mills County Special Election, Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary

Latest Sales Tax Numbers Shows Dip in Local Communities
Oklahoma cities have reported their April 2025 sales tax revenue figures, reflecting February sales, with varied results compared to April 2024. Some communities showed gains while others declined. Overall, the statewide city sales tax total fell from