
October 10, 2024
Western Oklahoma cities have reported their sales tax intake for August 2024, showcasing a mix of growth and decline compared to 2023.
Elk City led the region with a 4% increase, bringing in $1,324,434.66, up from $1,272,828.26 in 2023. Clinton followed with a modest 1.9% gain, totaling $554,062.47. Cordell saw a slight uptick of 0.25%, reaching $94,407.23.
However, other cities experienced declines. Weatherford reported a 9.9% drop to $1,066,761.28, while Altus saw a small decrease of 0.7%, collecting $1,159,382.98. Woodward’s intake fell 5.2% to $1,082,055.82, and Sayre experienced a significant 15% drop to $136,044.95. Mangum saw the steepest decline, with a 26% reduction, dropping to $51,789.39. Hobart also faced an 11.5% decrease to $129,151.16.
Statewide, sales tax intake decreased by 1.2%, totaling $204,834,029.76.
Five Injured in Two-Vehicle Crash at SH-152 and SH-58 in Caddo County
Caddo County, OK – A two vehicle collision was reported Friday night at the intersection of State Highway 152 and State Highway 58 in Caddo County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately
Beckham County Man Faces Multiple Felony Charges After Hospital Assaults
Elk City, OK – A Beckham County man is facing multiple charges after an incident at a local hospital escalated into assaults on medical staff and law enforcement, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Sheriff Manning
Amazon Plans 30,000 Square Foot Delivery Station in Weatherford Industrial Park
Weatherford, OK – Plans are moving forward for a new Amazon delivery facility in Weatherford, a development local leaders say will strengthen the area’s economy and create new employment opportunities. The company will build a 30,000 square
Last Call for Christmas in the Park Activities This Saturday Night in Elk City
Elk City, OK – Christmas in the Park is winding down, and this Saturday night, December 20, is your last chance to enjoy all the weekend activities in Elk City’s Ackley Park. The Christmas light display will
Texas AG Sues Xcel Energy Over Wildfire That Reached Western Oklahoma
Austin, TX – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy, alleging the utility’s negligence caused the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire, which burned more than one million acres in Texas and spread into
Elk City Celebrates Opening of New Airport Hangar and Terminal
Elk City, OK — City officials, state leaders, and community members gathered at the Elk City Municipal Airport today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new aircraft hangar and terminal building, marking a major milestone in
Two Injured in Late-Night Single-Vehicle Crash in Rural Custer County
Thomas, OK – A single vehicle injury collision was reported late Monday night in rural Custer County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The crash occurred on December 15, 2025, at approximately 10:06 pm in a wheat
Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents Announces Resignation of SWOSU President Dr. Diana Lovell
Weatherford, OK – The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents today announced that Dr. Diana Lovell has submitted her resignation as President of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, effective December 31, 2025. RUSO and SWOSU
Two Contraband Incidents Detected at Beckham County Jail
Sayre, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says heightened security measures at the Beckham County Jail led to two separate contraband incidents being detected last week, preventing illegal items from entering the facility. Sheriff Manning said
Wellington Woman Placed on Probation in Childress County Theft Case
Childress County, TX – Three pleas were entered Monday, December 8, in the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County. Luke Inman, District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District, along with Assistant District Attorney Harley Caudle, prosecuted
PSO Brings Free LED Light Bulbs to Local Food Pantries Across Western Oklahoma
Tulsa, OK – Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is helping families in Western Oklahoma save energy and money through its Shine a Light Project, delivering free LED light bulbs to food pantries in communities including Elk
Weatherford Bridge Project Earns Top Statewide Honor from Contractors Group
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Dec. 8 meeting opened with statewide recognition for a major western Oklahoma project, as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s District 5 received one of the industry’s highest honors
Elk City Man Charged After Investigators Say He Sold Trafficking Amounts of Fentanyl-Laced Pills
Elk City, OK – A man living in Elk City is facing a felony drug trafficking charge after a controlled purchase at his home led to the discovery of pills containing a fentanyl precursor and methamphetamine, according
Washita County Sheriff’s Office Receives Grant for Speed Reduction and High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign
Cordell, OK – The Washita County Sheriff’s Office has received a National Highway Safety Grant to support a speed reduction awareness and high-visibility enforcement campaign aimed at reducing speeding-related crashes. Through the “Speeding Slows You Down” initiative,
Oklahoma Approves Construction of Specialized Hangar for Dawn Aerospace Spaceplane at Burns Flat
Burns Flat, OK – Oklahoma’s commission responsible for advancing the state’s space industry finalized a deal this week to construct a hangar for a $17 million spaceplane. The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission approved construction
NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Weatherford Ammonia Leak
Weatherford, OK – The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings on the anhydrous ammonia leak that struck Weatherford on the night of November 12, an incident that injured dozens, forced large evacuations, and has
Arrest Made After Online Predator Investigation in Elk City
Elk City, OK – Elk City Police arrested a man following an online predator investigation that began December 6 at a convenience store on the east side of the city. Officers were notified about an adult male,
SWOSU to Host 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony on December 12
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the upcoming 2025 Fall Commencement Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. in the Pioneer Event Center. The event will honor the academic accomplishments of
Friends of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum Receive $71,000 Grant to Restore Glancy Motor Hotel Sign
Clinton, OK — The Friends of the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton were recently awarded a $71,505 grant from the Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program to help restore and display the iconic Glancy Motor Hotel neon
Weatherford Board Sends New High School Bond to February Ballot, Requires 60 Percent Approval
Weatherford, OK – The Weatherford School Board unanimously approved placing a proposal for a new Weatherford High School campus before district voters on February 10, 2026 during a special meeting Tuesday morning. Voters will see two separate
Helicopter Paramedic and EMS Director Accused of Stealing Narcotics in Burns Flat Case
Burns Flat, OK – Oklahoma investigators say a helicopter paramedic and EMS director stole morphine and fentanyl she was supposed to administer to patients, and now faces possible prison time. Court documents identify her as 44-year-old nurse
Head-on crash on US 281 leaves one dead, one injured
Lookeba, OK – A head-on collision Sunday afternoon on US-281 in Caddo County left one driver dead and another injured, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened at 2:09 pm about a mile
SWOSU Professor Dr. Hardeep S. Saluja Honored with AAiPS Recognition Award
Weatherford, OK – Dr. Hardeep S. Saluja, Department Chair and Bernhardt Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has received the Recognition Award from the American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAiPS). The award
Two Suspects Charged After Deputies Find Stolen Copper at Custer County Wind Site
Custer County, OK – Two people have been charged in Custer County after deputies say they were caught with stolen copper and other items taken from a wind turbine site near Thomas. 29 year old Slayton McKinnon
Two Unattended Deaths on I-40 Reported in Beckham County
Beckham County, OK – Beckham County deputies responded to two separate unattended deaths last week, a pair of cases Sheriff Derek Manning says are uncommon but handled with the utmost care and procedure. The first call came




