By News Director Jared Atha
A man wanted for allegedly driving into a store in Sayre was arrested recently after making threats towards Beckham County Sheriff authorities.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident occurred on June 4 when authorities were dispatched to a store in the 2500 block of N.E. Highway 66 in Sayre in reference to a person that had drove through the store and hit propane tanks.
The suspect, later identified as being 51-year-old Benjamin Wayne Aikey by the store’s owner, would flee the scene. The owner would tell deputies that Aikey appeared to be intoxicated when he attempted to stop the suspect from driving away from the store.
Later, authorities would discover that before the incident, Aikey had allegedly been at a nearby bar where he was accused of stealing an 8 ball from a pool table.
Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says later Aikey would make threats during a phone call with one of his dispatchers.
Aikey received multiple charges in Beckham County that include leaving the scene of an accident involving damage.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
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
Cheyenne-Arapaho Pioneer Days Returns to Hammon April 18–19 with Rodeo, Parade, Free Carnival and More
Hammon, OK — The town of Hammon is gearing up for a packed weekend of family fun during the annual Cheyenne-Arapaho Pioneer Days, set for April 18–19, 2025. The celebration kicks off Friday morning with a half
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
New Elk City Mayor Sworn In
Elk City, OK – During the latest meeting of the Elk City Commission, newly elected Mayor Micah Kilhoffer was sworn into office alongside re-elected commissioners, Ward 2 Commissioner Rod Carver and Ward 3 Commissioner Rocky Andresen. Shortly
41st Annual Southwest Farm & Home Expo Set for April 12–13 in Elk City
Elk City, OK – The 41st Annual Southwest Farm & Home Expo returns to the Elk City Convention Center April 12–13, 2025, bringing two days of agriculture, education, livestock, food, and family fun to Western Oklahoma. Admission
Longtime Cloud Chief Firefighter Retires
Cloud Chief, OK – Longtime Cloud Chief Firefighter Bob Ogle has retired after 16 years of dedicated service to the community. Bob joined the Cloud Chief Fire Department in 2008, the same year the department was established,
Elk City Commission Rejects Race Track Bid
During the regular monthly meeting of the Elk City Commission Monday night, the Commission unanimously voted to reject the lone bid from SpeedBowl LLC for a proposed lease of the Elk City Race Track. Before the vote,
Sayre Woman Facing Felony Charges for Alleged Credit Card Fraud
Sayre, OK — A Sayre woman is facing felony charges after allegedly using an elderly woman’s credit card information to make unauthorized transactions totaling $125. According to an affidavit filed in Beckham County, 24-year-old Abbagail Marie Lingle
SWOSU Professors Receive 2025 DaVinci Fellowship for Innovation in Education
Weatherford, OK – Dr. Denise Landrum-Geyer and Dr. Taylor Orgeron, faculty members in the Department of Language and Literature at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), have been recognized as 2025 DaVinci Creativity in Education Fellows by the
Weatherford Man Charged With Felony Stalking and Computer Crimes in Violation of Court Order
Custer County, OK – A Weatherford man is facing two felony charges after allegedly violating a protective order through repeated attempts to contact a woman. According to court records filed in Custer County District Court, Alex Blade
Burns Flat Chosen as U.S. Base for European Spaceplane Company
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) has approved a contract to bring the only U.S. operations of DAWN Aerospace, a Netherlands-based company, to the spaceport in Burns Flat. DAWN plans to launch
