A 5.0 magnitude earthquake shook the area early on Thursday morning around 5:20 a.m. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter was located 23.8 miles southeast of Spearman and 25 miles north of Pampa.

Dr. Elizabeth Cochran is a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Earthquake Research Center in California.

She joined KXDJ’s Chris Samples on Friday morning to discuss the earthquake. “It can be quite difficult to actually identify a specific fault that an earthquake of this size might be on. It certainly occurred in the Anadarko Basin. There are many faults crisscrossing underneath Texas, even though that may sound surprising. Most of the time they don’t move very much,” Dr. Cochran explained.

You can listen to more from them by clicking here.


So, what does Dr. Cochran believe may have caused the earthquake? She said it is hard to know but she suspects oil and gas activity. “In Texas, there has been an increase in earthquakes particularly in West Texas. Those certainly correspond quite well to changes in oil and gas production. It is a possible cause. I’m not going to say 100 percent that this earthquake was caused by those activities. We do need to look into it further. So, if you made me guess right now, I would say this is likely induced by oil and gas activity but again, that research has not been done.”

Listen to more here.

A local long-time geologist heard the interview and said that in his opinion, while it may be the the cause of the Oklahoma earthquakes, he believes there is absolutely no way that was the cause for last week’s earthquake here in the Panhandle.

People as far as Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Wichita reported feeling the earthquake. A weak 1.5 M aftershock was reported around 11:15 p.m. Thursday night 25 miles north of Pampa.

Beginning with the upcoming school year, the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to monitor environmental conditions and guide activity modifications is no longer a recommendation, but a required standard for all UIL outdoor athletic and marching band activities in Texas.

On the KXDJ Morning Show with Chris Samples and Ken Splawn on Wednesday, they discussed the new requirement aimed to keep athletes better protected from heat-induced injuries.

Click here to listen.

Two-a-days begin on Monday, August 3.

In today’s KXJD “Did You Hear That?” segment with Chris Samples, Donnell Brown with the RA Brown Ranch discusses the future of ranching.

Keeping the farm or ranch in the family is getting more challenging all the time. He told Samples that the numbers tell a big part of the story.

Listen here.

Find out more about the ranch by clicking here.

Today, an inside look at the Perryton area real estate market with Bryce Hale of Perryton Realty. It is quite different than the booming situation in Pampa right now because of the data center construction.

Hale told KXDJ’s Chris Samples, “The beginning of the year was good, but the summer has tapered off. Usually, it is the opposite. Usually, people move around in the summer when teachers are moving in and out, the days are longer, it’s warm outside. There have been 30 houses sold since January 1. I looked at that. We feel slow right now. May to July in 2025, there were 23 houses sold. There’s only been 9 in that same time period so far this year. I am hopeful it will pick up as we get later in the year.”

Click here to listen to more from them.

Hale noted the rental market is still very strong here in Perryton.

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Another heat advisory has been issued for Wednesday from 12 to 9 p.m.

There is a low to medium chance for rain showers and thunderstorms to move across the western Panhandles this evening. These storms will present mainly a lightning threat. Howeve,r heavy rainfall can lead to localized flooding.

As temperatures increase this week, it is important to understand limitations on the body when it comes to heat. If you feel any of these symptoms you need to seek immediate attention or medical help.

There was one arrest on Wednesday, July 28. Rio Chase Garcia, 27, was arrested on a warrant for assault causes bodily injury on a family member and evading arrest or detention.

Financial Advisor--Clancy Vanderburg

"As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I believe it's important to invest my time to understand what you're working toward before you invest your money. It's also important to understand the level of risk you're comfortable accepting when investing so we can balance it with the steps necessary to reach your long-term goals," says Clancy.

Clancy is a 1999 graduate of Spearman High School, 2003 graduate of WTAMU, and lives in Spearman with his wife and two children.

Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for college for children or grandchildren, or just trying to protect the financial future of the ones you care for the most, we can work together to develop specific strategies to help you achieve your goals.

"I welcome the opportunity to work with your attorney, accountant and other trusted professionals to deliver a comprehensive strategy that leverages everyone's expertise."

Clancy will be available in Spearman and Perryton offices as well as by phone at (806) 604-0228.

Clancy shares he strongly believes leadership is submitting to his Heavenly Father as Jesus did, letting the Holy Spirit guide us all to God's will.

"Working together, we can help you develop a complete, tailored strategy to help you achieve your financial goals," says Vanderburg, "and I would be excited to earn your business!"

NEWMAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND OKLAHOMA HEART HOSPITAL ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND CARDIOVASCULAR CARE ACROSS NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA

SHATTUCK, Okla. — Newman Memorial Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital (OHH) have announced a strategic partnership designed to expand access to advanced cardiovascular care for patients throughout Northwest Oklahoma.

The partnership represents a significant investment in improving rural healthcare access by bringing nationally recognized cardiovascular expertise closer to home. Patients will benefit from increased cardiology clinic availability, streamlined access to consultations, diagnostic testing, procedures and surgeries, improved continuity of care, and a more coordinated patient experience across the cardiovascular care continuum.

Recently recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Best Hospitals for Specialized Care in Cardiac Care for 2026, Oklahoma Heart Hospital was the only Oklahoma hospital included in the national cardiac care ranking. The prestigious list recognizes hospitals demonstrating excellence in clinical quality, advanced medical practice, patient outcomes, and patient experience.

As part of the partnership, Oklahoma Heart Hospital cardiologists will expand their presence in Shattuck through Newman Memorial Hospital while continuing to serve patients throughout Northwest Oklahoma. The collaboration will also enhance access to advanced cardiac imaging, cardiac monitoring, cardiac clearance for surgical procedures, specialty consultations, and seamless referral pathways for advanced cardiovascular treatment when necessary.

As a physician-owned cardiovascular hospital, Oklahoma Heart Hospital has built a national reputation for delivering specialized, patient-centered cardiac care focused on evidence-based medicine, quality outcomes, innovation, and exceptional patient experiences.

"This partnership represents far more than an expansion of cardiology services—it represents a commitment to ensuring the people of Northwest Oklahoma have access to the very best cardiovascular care available," said Tom Vasko, Chief Executive Officer of Newman Memorial Hospital. "We are bringing together Oklahoma's leading cardiovascular hospital, advanced cardiac monitoring through our Mayo Clinic collaboration, and Newman's integrated rural healthcare platform to create something truly unique for our region. I am excited about the level of care this partnership will bring, but even more excited about the impact it will have on the lives of our patients and families. Together, we are advancing Dr. Newman's vision by ensuring world-class cardiac care is accessible close to home."

"Newman Memorial Hospital has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to expanding access to specialty healthcare in rural Oklahoma, and we are honored to partner with their team," said Jeff Robertson, Chief Operating Officer of Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians. "As Oklahoma's leading cardiovascular hospital and the state's only hospital recognized by Newsweek among America's Best Hospitals for Specialized Cardiac Care in 2026, we are committed to bringing the highest level of heart care closer to the patients and communities we serve. This partnership combines Newman's dedication to rural healthcare access with Oklahoma Heart Hospital's nationally recognized cardiovascular expertise to enhance patient outcomes, improve continuity of care, and expand access to advanced cardiac services throughout Northwest Oklahoma."

The partnership reflects both organizations' shared commitment to improving healthcare access, advancing quality outcomes, and ensuring rural communities have access to world-class cardiovascular care.

About Newman Memorial Hospital
Newman Memorial Hospital is an independent, county-owned 25-bed Critical Access Hospital and integrated rural health system serving Northwest Oklahoma. The organization provides acute care, emergency services, specialty care, and a network of rural health and specialty clinics, along with telehealth services and innovative programs designed to improve access to healthcare across rural communities.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital
Oklahoma Heart Hospital is a physician-owned hospital dedicated exclusively to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Nationally recognized for excellence in cardiac care, Oklahoma Heart Hospital provides comprehensive cardiovascular services with a focus on quality outcomes, innovation, and patient-centered care.

Unchained Foods is an app that helps users find local hidden gem restaurants no matter where they are across the country.

Founded by Antu Radhakrishnan and Tommy (Trey) Butler, this app was built to help people on road trips discover new restaurants rather than eating at the same chain restaurants they can find at home.

Tommy (Trey) Butler is a graduate of Perryton High School and is in his fourth year at Texas
Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine.

Antu Radhakrishnan is a professor of small animal internal medicine at Texas Tech’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He and his wife have four daughters and, on road trips, they preferred to eat at local places rather than chains.

Frustrated with the difficulty in finding local restaurants, the idea of Unchained was born.

Antu and Tommy partnered to build the app that can now be found on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Users will see a map of their current location with nearby locally-owned restaurants. After
clicking a location, the user will find images, hours, address, phone number, website and more.

Currently, restaurants can be searched by city or restaurant name. Users may create an
account to save favorite restaurants and tell the Unchained team more about a restaurant.

Restaurant owners can create an account and claim their restaurant, update information, and post photos. If a local restaurant is not on the app, any user can submit a restaurant to be reviewed and approved by our team.

Features currently under development include users’ ability to leave ratings and reviews; and
restaurant owners will be able to post specials visible to users within a certain radius of their
location. These and other updates to optimize search and identification for foodies and
restaurateurs are underway.

Unchained Foods partnered with Tracemark Impressions to manage their social media and
marketing. Tracemark was founded by two friends, Austin Bergeron and Anthony Castaneda, in Spring, Texas. Tracemark Impressions’ values, excitement over this project, and content
creation made the partnership a seamless match.

You can find Unchained Foods on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok or visit their website
unchainedfoods.com. You can also try the app yourself by downloading it from your app store.

Stay Unchained!

Ochiltree County is located in the northern Texas Panhandle, where agriculture, history, industry — and even beloved Western literature — continue to shape a strong and forward-moving community.

Created in 1876 and organized in 1889, Ochiltree County was named after William Beck Ochiltree, an attorney general of the Republic of Texas. Its county seat, Perryton, is the northernmost county seat in Texas and serves as the county’s economic, educational, and cultural hub.

U.S. Route 83 runs directly through the county and becomes Main Street in Perryton, connecting local businesses, historic landmarks, and agricultural operations. The county’s reputation as the “Wheatheart of the Nation” reflects real production strength. Between 1900 and 1910, the economy transitioned from livestock to wheat farming, and by 2002 Ochiltree County ranked first in Texas for wheat acreage. Large-scale farming operations remain central to the local economy, supported by modern equipment, grain handling facilities, and a strong regional workforce.

Ranching laid the groundwork for that success. In the 1880s, pioneers such as Henry W. Cresswell established major cattle operations, initially living in dugouts near Wolf Creek. That early investment in land and livestock positioned the county as a serious agricultural producer long before wheat became dominant.

Ochiltree County is also widely recognized as the home of Hank the Cowdog, the self-proclaimed “Head of Ranch Security.” Author John R. Erickson created the beloved children’s book series while living and ranching in the Perryton area, drawing directly from the landscapes, ranch life, and Panhandle culture that define Ochiltree County. First published in 1983, the Hank the Cowdog series has sold millions of copies and introduced generations of readers to life on a High Plains ranch. The character remains a point of pride for the community and reflects the enduring spirit of ranching heritage in the Texas Panhandle.

The area’s history reaches back centuries. Prehistoric “Plains Villagers” (c. A.D. 1100–1500) left stone ruins in the Canadian River Valley. Even earlier groups constructed pueblo-like structures referred to as the “Buried City.” The Comanche later dominated the region until their removal following the Red River War. Today’s cultivated fields sit on land with deep cultural and archaeological significance.

One of the most defining moments in county history occurred in 1919, when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway bypassed the original town of Ochiltree by eight miles. Rather than accept economic decline, residents moved homes and businesses on steam-powered rollers to the new railroad townsite of Perryton. Citizens from Ochiltree and nearby Gray relocated entire structures to maintain rail access. The original Ochiltree site later became a ghost town, with only the Ochiltree Cemetery remaining along Highway 70. That relocation effort remains one of the most remarkable community actions in Texas Panhandle history.

Heritage preservation is a priority in Ochiltree County. The Museum of the Plains, founded in 1975 in a single courthouse room, has grown into a large, multi-building complex. The museum houses approximately 10,000 artifacts, including wagons, antique vehicles, agricultural equipment, and bones from an ancient Imperial mammoth. Outdoor exhibits include a Santa Fe depot and caboose, a 1906 farmhouse, the Gray Community Church, and a relocated general store. Interior displays document Native cultures with projectile points, a Kiowa teepee, and a replica Kiowa calendar drawn on deer skin. On February 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM, the museum will host Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation for an educational program.

Perryton’s downtown reflects both history and ongoing investment. U.S. 83 passes the 1928 Classical Revival-style Ochiltree County Courthouse and the historic Ellis Theater, originally constructed in the 1930s. The theater was heavily damaged in the tornado that occurred in 2023. Local retail, service industries, energy operations, and agricultural businesses contribute to a stable economic base. The 1950s oil boom added another layer of development through successful oil and gas drilling, further strengthening the county’s infrastructure and tax base.

Outdoor recreation is available at Lake Fryer & Wolf Creek Park, offering space for fishing, boating, and community gatherings.

Ochiltree County combines documented history, productive agriculture, energy development, literary legacy, and community investment. Its past demonstrates resilience; its present reflects stability and growth. For visitors, businesses, and families, it offers both substance and opportunity in the Texas Panhandle.

Area tax rates (city) adopted for the next fiscal year include:

Cactus $0.314208
Canadian $0.846380
Borger $0.606807
Dumas $0.614928
Fritch $0.547556
Gruver $0.2770
Pampa $0.703304
Perryton $0.501485
Sunray $0.302340
Stratford: $0.820486

As the area taxing entities wrap up their public tax hearings, we are finally able to publish the information as each community and county adopt local budgets and tax rates for the upcoming year.

Have you ever wondered just how your taxes are calculated?  Be an informed taxpayer!

To learn more click (more)

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We have many different businesses looking for employees.

Michael Crain, a former state investigator, joined KXDJ's Chris Samples for installment number nine in their series on the Tom Brown case recently.

Crain has been looking closely at the case out of Canadian and he agrees with all of the investigators from the state of Texas on down that believe Tom committed suicide and there was a coverup. He has now taken the steps to become a licensed private investigator as well.

He has found many inconsistencies in the story from the family as well as statements made by the private investigator they hired, Philip Klein of Klein Investigations and Consulting.

In this episode, Crain shares more from Klein and his multiple versions of parts of the case as well as information he received from Trace Sargent, the handler for the cadaver dog that was used in the case.

If you are interested in listening to previous episodes, they are all linked below.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

Episode 6

Episode 7

Episode 8

Episode 9

Latest Episode - November 2025

Thank you to HPO Reader Laura Alexander from Tulsa, Oklahoma, for sharing this postcard for our readers to enjoy!