July 16, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma y Since 1901 Vendors come from far and wide for Christmas in July By William B. Carroll meaning of the event. Sports Editor Chad Wright said the couple has been traveling to different events for around five Area residents flocked to Foss Lake State years and he agreed with his wife about the Park Friday and Saturday for the 29th An- positive elements of the event at Foss Lake nual Christmas in July event. that keep bringing the couple back. The event got underway Friday with the “Every time we go to any of these types Members of the Killin’ Time Band perform Friday night during the 29th Annual opening event honoring veterans at 6 p.m. of events, people are always happy and in Christmas in July event at Foss Lake State Park. Members are Steve Sullivan with a flag retiring ceremony at 7 p.m. a good mood,” Chris Wright said. “It is on rhythm guitar and vocals, Larry Craft on rhythm guitar and vocals, Tom The tribute to veterans is one of the one of the things I really enjoy about this Gray on the bass, Sam Edwards on the steel guitar, Jingles Green on lead reasons event vendor Liz Wright said she business.” guitar and Mike Ragland on drums. Staff photo by William B. Carroll. enjoys coming to Christmas in July. Wright On Friday night the Killin’ Time Band and her husband Chad, who are from Den- performed a variety of different tunes as ton, Texas, have been coming to the event now for three years. The couple owns C Bar W, which specializes in hats, shirts and eventgoers enjoyed the slightly cooler temperatures. New social media and handmade knives. Friday afternoon, Chad Wright was busy talking to several custom- Saturday, Christmas in July started off early with a SK Dam run. This was fol- vaping policies approved ers who were taking a close look at the lowed by a trail ride and the Foss Lake knives he had on display. Little King and Queen contest. By Don Munsch said vaping products typically have already The couple travels to festivals all around The Core Youth Ministries group from Editor been illegal for anyone under 18 to possess. the southeast and southwest. Liz Wright New Beginnings in Cordell was the Satur- “Most districts including EC always con- said one aspect the couple really enjoys day evening entertainment and of course New policies on vaping and social media sidered them illegal or against school policy about the event at Foss Lake is the atmo- event participants were treated to fireworks usage were approved by the Elk City Public under the drug-free, tobacco-free policy sphere and the patriotic and pro-veteran on the lake Saturday evening. Schools board last week. from the start,” Garrison said in an email on State leaders wanted school districts to July 10. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill inform people about vaping and social 33 in April that expanded the tobacco-free media policies and make policy consistent schools law that would include prohibition Main Street water leak across the state, so Elk City Superintendent Rick Garrison decided to have the board of vaping on campus. In earlier interview, Garrison said the approve information on both vaping and district has always had a tobacco policy, but Vetoes = social media in district code. not for the non-tobacco smoking products. On vaping, the board, who met July 8, He said the district wanted to draw attention approved a new policy that includes vapor to how vaping falls under those parameters. products in its list of prohibited tobacco Vaping usage has been seen in children items on campus. These products are as young as elementary age, Garrison said. prohibited on campus regardless if they are possessed by a student or adult. Garrison See New policies page 2. Elk City man dies in wreck By Don Munsch Amy Elliott, chief administrative of- Editor ficer for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma City, said Friday An Elk City man died after a vehicle the manner of death in the case is suicide, crash on June 30, and investigators are with the cause of death of being multiple ons still examining the crash and its aftermath, according to a Facebook post from Roger sharp-force injuries. The autopsy report is pending. Mills County Sheriff Darren Atha. On July 2, a local land owner discovered ee : = MEA The body of Christopher Todd Tomlin- a deceased adult male approximately one Elk City public works employees work on a water leak on a pipe on Thursday son, 51, was found on July 2. His body was quarter mile from the location where the afternoon. After the pipe was fixed late Thursday, crews patched up the street sent to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner vehicle of Tomlinson was found crashed Friday. Staff photo by Don Munsch. for an autopsy. No foul play was suspected, June 30. Roger Mills County Sheriff's Atha stated in a Facebook message to a By Don Munsch was working fine Friday morning, and the News inquiry. See Fatality wreck page 2. Editor street was patched up by city crews by the afternoon. No damage was reported from Elk City water and street department the water pipe leak. crews labored through a couple of sizzling Merchants were understanding, and some hot days late last week to fix a water pipe of them brought bottled water to city em- that sustained a leak and forced a closure of ployees, Litterell said. There was an inter- a portion of Main Street between Broadway ruption in the water flow in that section of Avenue and 3rd Street. Main Street during the repair process. Crews had to tear into the pavement to “They had to take out a section of the wa- fix the pipe, disrupting vehicle traffic flow. ter line, cut out about a six-foot section of Pedestrians could still use the sidewalks the line and replace it with as new piece of along the street. The pipe was fixed at pipe,” Litterell said about repairs. 10:30 p.m. Thursday. “They got done with the pipe itself about Litterell said the pipe was decades old, 8 o'clock, and it took about two and half and he was not sure how the leak happened, hours of cleanup out here in the street,” as it could have been shifting of the ground x City Manager Lee Litterell said Friday or wear and tear or age of the pipe. Around 100 participants packed into the Elk City Convention Center Satur- morning. “They’ ve stayed out here from 11 day night to enjoy the 19th Annual Square Dance Jamboree. Here dancers The city was informed of the problem o'clock yesterday [Thursday] morning until are just getting the night started as part of the evening dance program. This around 11 a.m. Thursday by someone 10:30 last night,” he said. “They worked dance was the first dance, performed just after the Grand March got the eve- from a business, Litterell said. The pipe hard. We’re proud of them.” ning started. See more pictures on page 2. Staff photo by William B. Carroll. OOO Weather tomorrow 5/78 Vol. 117, No. 57 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com