May 3, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 14

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eS "See Historical page 6 )_ See Big Elk sports page 11 News WEEKEND Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 EDITION Friday, May 3, 2019 Collision kills one, injures another By Don Munsch Editor Asenior at Pryor High School died after he suffered inju- ries in a collision at the Elk City Motocross Track on Satur- day. Bobby Best, 18, was killed in the collision, according to a report from Fox 23 News in Tulsa. The second round of the Oklahoma State Championship Series of Motocross was held at the track Saturday and Sunday. Elk City Police Chief Eddie Holland said the driver later identified as Best was taken to Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City where life-saving measures were ad- ministered before he died. The other victim in the collision, Bayler McKellar, 11, of Luther was injured and transferred by helicopter to The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine in Oklahoma City. ‘The fire department was called to the Motocross just after 7:10 p.m., said Billy Sizemore, assistant fire chief of the Elk City Fire Department “What they told us was they thought it was a head-on or something,” Sizemore said. “They really didn’t say too much.” Mason Maahs, co-owner ofthe track, said the wreck oc- curred Saturday after practice in an unmarked track. The two riders hit head on, he said, and Best had all of his equip- ment on. He said the other rider, McKellar, suffered two broken arms and femur. A spokeswoman from OU Medicine said McKellar has been discharged. . From left, Michelle Anderson, Misty Musick, Shonda Currell, Lauren Raney and Stacie Hanson work on their lines in Maahs said he did not think there would be an investiga preparation for the production this week. The show played in Weatherford Thursday before moving on to Sayre and Elk City for Friday and Saturday night performances. Photo submitted. See Collision page 2. ‘Love’ is in the air GPRMC receives hat donations in Elk City, Sayre _ By Don Munsch 109 E. Main Stin Sayre, and on-stage and off-stage in the play breaks some ground Editor at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Be- many local productions at Elk here. yond the Pallet, 103 S. Main City’s Red Carpet Community “A few community theaters An old pair of shoes, jacket St. in Elk City. Theatre. She has directed across the state have done it, or pants can spark memories “Love, Loss, and What I youth productions as part of but nobody out here has, so for many people, and “Love, Wore” offers a collection of their Junior Actors’ Guild and we're the first ones to do it Loss and What I Wore” en- nostalgic vignettes and mono- is currently a sophomore at in Western Oklahoma,” said deavors to explore how cloth- logues that show how people’s Oklahoma City University. Currell of Elk City. ing can prompt memories in memories are triggered by “These stories are so “Love, Loss and What five women. articles of clothing. The play relatable,” Cloud said in the 1 Wore” is performed as Untitled Pop Up Theatre’s focuses on personal relation- release. “They’re intimate, aReader Theatre, so the GPRMC Women’s Director Miranda Cummings stands production of the Reader’s ships, but it also covers topics funny - even moving. I really performers have their scripts with members of theThomas Women’s Fellowship Theatre's “Love, Loss and like oppression, sexuality, di- enjoy the section about bras. in front of them, but the five group, including Sherry Corrigan and grandson Braxton What I Wore” by sisters Nora vorce and the fullness of life, The life changing bra - it just women do interact with one Rutz, Melissa Keefe, Sereatha Steele, Konena Jones Ephron and Delia Ephron, according to a UPUT release. fits right.” another. and Shari Doughtry. Photo submitted. based on the book by Ilene The play is directed by Elk UPUT director Tiphani “We'll all interact a little bit Beckerman, will be staged at City native Cadence Cloud, Currell said in an interview The Thomas Women’s Fellowship group first met in 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Brick, who has performed both with The Elk City News that See in the air page 2. September to begin a mission to bring blessings to newborn babies and their parents, and on Monday, the group donated its 300°" handmade hat to the Great Plains Regional Medical Center Women’s unit, according to a release from GPRMC. Merritt co-salutatorians Miranda Cummings, GPRMC Women’s director, accepted atote filled with knit hats of all sizes and colors, said Marnie Tosh, director of marketing and business development at GPRMC, in a news release. co-salutatorians. school, she said. She said she “The ladies have created some wonderful works of art that Porter was taken by will miss teachers, friends will be treasured by the mothers and fathers’who receive surprise but excited when and sports. them for their newborn babies,” Tosh said in the release. she found out she would be a Porter said her secret to “These hats will be in many cherished photos of each baby’s salutatorian. academic success was study- first days or in a keepsake box for years to come, an idea that “T didn’t think I was high ing hard and getting work should make these yarn enthusiasts very proud.” enough ranked,” she said. turned in on time and being ‘These women have surpassed GPRMC’s expectations with “But I was excited when I present in class. Porter’s their dedication to a meaningful project and their giving found out about it. Iworked mother, Heather, teaches fifth | hearts, Tosh said. hard the past four years.” and sixth grade reading at Porter plans to major in Merritt Middle School. radiology when she attends “She pushed me to work Southwestern Oklahoma State hard,” Klaudia said. University in Weatherford Klaudia considered other 5 next year. colleges but she opted for “Well, it makes good money —SWOSU because it was close t i=4 oc and it’s something I’ve always to home and she wanted liked,” Porter said. “I’ve to near her parents. She is = always wanted to gointothe _the daughter of Travis and . 4 medical field and just decided Heather Porter. ] Brooke Puckett and Klaudia Porter finished as co- on that.” Puckett plans to attend salutatorians at Merritt High School for the class of At Merritt High School, Oklahoma State University 2019. Staff photo by Don Munsch. Porter was president of FC- _and major in business. Her CLA and Key club and wasa _parents, Jay and Lori, at- The Elk City Chamber of Commerce will kick off the 2019 Editor's Note: Second ina Klaudia Porter and Brooke member of FCA anda student tended OSU. During her high _| ‘Block Party Season today with live music and food trucks series of stories chronicling Puckett and their senior council rep. She played school career, Puckett was from 6 to 9 p.m.. The block party will move east this yearto area high school valedictori-__ classmates at Merritt High basketball and rantrack and _ involved in softball, cheer, East Broadway and Main streets in the parking area behind ans and salutatorians. School are a week away from _cross country. student council, FCCLA and Downtown First National Bank. graduating. “Getting to be around Key Club. Visitors may listen to Kyle Brewer live and stores will be By Don Munsch Merritt High commence- _people and staying involved “Thope to some day own open late until 8 p.m. The chamber encourages people to Editor ment is May 10, and Porter and helping others out” was‘ my own business, maybe real _| bring their family, friends and lawn chairs and enjoy an eve- and Puckett will graduateas _ the best memory of high See Merritt page 2, | ning of “great shopping, fellowship and community spirit.” il Ill Ill UI Weather 15 oO Vol. 117, No. 36 Home delivery View online « sore las 4 34 » tomorrow . 75 cents, 14 pgs. 580.225.3000 ecdailynewsonline.com