The Penny News Online

Oklahoma Highway Patrol is crediting the quick actions of Trooper Eric Burchett with saving a man’s life after a violent incident along Interstate 40 near Clinton on the morning of November 16.

A Wheeler, Texas man was injured Saturday afternoon in a two vehicle collision on Interstate 40 in Custer County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

SWOSU is excited to announce the receipt of a major charitable contribution from Nicholas Rains, ‘02, and his wife, Judy, endowing the Nicholas & Judy Rains Computer Science Scholarship to provide ongoing financial assistance to SWOSU students studying in the Computer Science Department.

Four people have filed a civil lawsuit against AirGas and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Weatherford after a massive anhydrous ammonia leak sent 34 victims to hospitals, including two in critical condition, and triggered wide evacuations across the city.

Western Oklahoma highways were busy for state troopers Saturday, with three separate crashes in Washita, Blaine, and Dewey counties sending multiple people to the hospital, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

State Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, says Oklahoma is starting to turn talk about space into real-world jobs and investment, and western Oklahoma is right in the middle of it.

A man wanted out of Elk City was arrested Wednesday in Shamrock, Texas after deputies found him hiding underneath a house and used a K-9 to take him into custody, according to law enforcement.

A Beckham County man convicted in the 2024 shooting death of Colter Jake Vaught has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The family of the late Dr. Sara Nell (Bergstrom) Marquis, ’76 & ’03, has made a major charitable gift to the Bulldog Angels Fund at SWOSU.

An Oklahoma City man is facing multiple felony charges after an alleged struggle with law enforcement at the Flying J truck stop off Interstate 40 in Sayre on Tuesday, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Beckham County District Court.

A recent study co-authored by SWOSU Assistant Professor Dr. Liedson Carneiro has been published in New Phytologist, one of the world’s leading journals in plant science.

The report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission shows most area towns up over last year, with statewide numbers also posting double–digit growth.

The spotlight belonged to freshman Selah Bentley on Saturday night as she was crowned Miss SWOSU 2026 in the annual Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant at the SWOSU Fine Arts Center.

A Weatherford man has now been charged with manslaughter after investigators say he fatally shot a friend while handling a handgun at a Weatherford home last week.

A Studio City, California woman has been charged in Custer County with trafficking methamphetamine after a November traffic stop, according to newly filed court documents.

Weatherford officials released new details following the major anhydrous ammonia leak that occurred late Wednesday night behind the Holiday Inn Express.

SWOSU has proudly presented Bruce Magill, '70, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit.

SWOSU has proudly presented Carl Birdsong, '83, with the university’s prestigious Presidential Order of Merit.

The SWOSU Alumni Association and the Washita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) partnered this Fall to honor two outstanding SWOSU graduates with the DAR's prestigious Women in American History Award.

SWOSU proudly recognized longtime benefactor and SWOSU Alumni Association Past President Mike Wilkes, '75, with the prestigious Presidential Order of Merit.

Clinton Regional Hospital has cleared a major hurdle in its effort to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital, a move hospital leaders say is aimed at securing the facility’s long-term future.

A 24-year-old Weatherford man is in custody after a fatal shooting at a home on Texas Avenue Thursday morning.

Elk City Meals on Wheels has been serving local seniors for 56 years.

Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, December 1, 2025, for four Beckham County school districts.

Court proceedings are underway in the case of a SWOSU student who was found dead near Veterans Lake in Sulphur last month.

Shelter in place orders were lifted Thursday morning in Weatherford after an overnight anhydrous ammonia leak from a tanker truck sent a toxic cloud across parts of the city, forcing evacuations of homes, nursing facilities and businesses.

The SWOSU Computer Club and SWOSU Esports hosted their annual Extra Life lock-in fundraiser, raising $1,000 to support the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.

A 16-year-old Blair driver was injured Sunday after a rollover crash on State Highway 9, 9 miles west of Mangum, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Candidates for the Board of Education in Arapaho-Butler, Clinton, Thomas-Fay-Custer and Weatherford Schools Custer County school districts will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning 8 a.m. Monday, December 1 2025.

Beckham County deputies took part in intensive active shooter and emergency response training on November 4th and 5th, coordinated by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s School Security Institute.