March 25, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Weekday Edition Closed lobby The Elk City News has closed its lobby to the public until further notice because of the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19. We will remain open our normal business hours of 8:30 am. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anyone needing to make a payment is encouraged to mail it to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City Oklahoma 73644. Thanks for your consideration. If you have any ques- tions, please call the office at 580-225-3000. Many businesses around Elk City are posting signs in their windows to notify customers about social distancing, cleaning measures and or that they are restricting lobby hours. Staff photos by Don Munsch. City, school district and county respond to crisis \ fe 2 wi ‘ f By Don Munsch, Editor mission and Authority will continue and be open to the public Elk City residents can still get a haircut in town, but city but city leaders will ensure compliance of social distancing Haaken Ahiers and Trevor Breeden. Submitted photo. practices. The city will not issue cutoffs for water utilities Coronavirus affects leaders are encouraging barbershops and salons to take a break during the coronavirus crisis. until further notice. In-person gatherings of 50 or more are. strongly discouraged until further notice. City Commissioners during a state of emergency declara- City leaders say they highly encourage gathering places, military decisions, That is just one of the recommendations made by Elk City tion that was approved Friday at a special called meeting. even for cherished such as restaurants and bars, to limit the number of patrons No confirmed cases of COViD-19 have been found here. such that there is at least six feet available to each patron. City leaders also said those businesses should “significantly The proclamation became effective Friday and will last until noon April 14, although it could extend for an additional increase and enhance facility cleaning regimens.” period thereafter. The proclamation also stated that local gyms, exercise fa- graduations “TJ am fully aware of the problems this order creates for cilities, dance studios, salons, barbershops and similar estab- By Manda Smith, Contributing writer our residents, business owners and workers,” Mayor Nick lishments are encouraged to discontinue activi When Shameron Ahiers and Lee Ann Breeden’s sons de- Archer said in a city release. “We are working with local, nificantly increase and enhance facility clea cided to join the Navy a week apart, both moms were thrilled state and federal resources to offset economic hardships. We Archer said after the meeting that constituents have asked and looked forward to the days when they could watch their must all work together to stop the spread of the coronavirus. for the tougher measures and he encourages everyone to fol- sons graduate from Great Lake Recruit Training Command Please do your part to protect our community.” low Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. in Great Lakes, Illinois. City Manager Lee Litterell said in the release that the “Tt’s a trying time for our city, state and nation,” Archer For one mom, seeing her son graduate would look a lot measures were taken out of “an abundance of caution.” said. different than she had imagined. “The spread of COVID-19 is a serious public health emer- Corey Lively, CEO of Great Plains Regional Medical Cen- Haaken Ahiers and Trevor Breeden have been best friends gency and we must be aggressive in our efforts to protect ter, attended the meeting and said he would recommend the since middle school. They met playing football for Elk City, the lives of our community members,” Litterell said. “We public to continue to follow universal protocols — washing and have remained close ever are doing our best to take the necessary actions to prevent hands and social isolation and so forth — and said his hos- since, graduating from ECHS the spread of the virus while keeping the public informed pital posts information on its Facebook page to keep people in May 2019. and updated.” informed on developments on the ongoing crisis. Lee Ann explained what in- The proclamation stated meetings of Elk City City Com- See Crisis page 2. fluenced Trevor’s decision to join the Navy. | “After being accepted into How churches are coping with virus Trevor Breeden’ Haaken Ahlers the Engineering program at OSU, Trevor decided that he See Military page 2. Religious bodies put services online A global coronavirus pandemic required him to do that, though. Banks, post office, Still, even in front of an empty sanctuary Sunday at Elk City United Methodist Church, Rodgers, the church’s senior police make minister, delivered a sermon in an online service in which he gave reassurance about having faith in dark times. modifications, He never thought he would ever have to ask people to stay home from church, whether it was for worship, activities or carry on business youth and children’s activities. By Don Munsch, Editor “To preach here in an empty sanctuary, these are not things One can still make a bank deposit and mail a letter as T’ve ever thought we would have to do,” he said. the public emergency revolving the coronavirus begins to But Rodgers said the changes the church is making are Elk City United Methodist Church Associate small compared to families affected by the virus itself. change how people go about their daily lives in Western ter Ben Pascoe conducts a Sunday church service Oklahoma. Elk City United Methodist was not the only church in to an empty congregation Sunday morning. The Banks town to use online services Sunday, as First Baptist Church church put the service online so people could Representatives from three Elk City banks say they are also participated. watch and participate at home. Members of the taking the normal coronavirus precautions at their facilities. Russell Duck, senior pastor at First Baptist Church, said church were asked to stay home for the first time last week his congregation would participate in an online When reached by phone last week, none of the officials said because of the spread of the coronavirus. Inset: service on Sunday and will do so for the next two Sun- they would be closing their lobbies, but that would change Scott Rodgers delivers the sermon during the ser- days thereafter. The church will not have Sunday school later in the week, when at least two banks — Great Plains vice. Staff pictures by Don Munsch. and Wednesday night activities for the time being, and the Bank and First National Bank — had signs in the lobby win- By Don Munsch, Editor church won’t ask anyone to visit the church. dows noting they were restricting access. Editor's note: This is the third story in a series on how Lake Carpenter, senior vice president at Bank of Western “We'll have the basic crew we need to put the service on- the coronavirus is affecting Elk City. The News is looking at Oklahoma, said his bank’s job is to keep employees sound line,” Duck said about this past Sunday. how various entities in our community — from the hospital to and healthy and follow advice that has been given on social The church has a blend service on YouTube channel and distancing. schools to businesses, among others — are coping with the has a modern worship service that is on Facebook live, he coronavirus pandemic. said, “The media’s done a great job of making people aware of The Rev. Scott Rodgers hates telling people to stay home He hopes containment conditions with the coronavirus the steps they need to take to do that,” he said. from church. See Churches page 2. He said his bank employees will be as accessible to cus See Modifications page 2. I INN) | Weather tomorrow / 58 Vol. 118, No. 22 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com