April 11, 2020 Issue, Page 10 of 16

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Page 2 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, April 11, 2020 Distancing Here are some other windows that Julie Western painted at Bap- Continued from page 1. cantile, a business on Main tist Village of Elk City. If that means asking some- Street in Elk City, which Photos by Julie Western. body to close, then we will.” has a sign in its window that When or if people are says if people can read the seen in public congregating sign, they need to go home. now — such as children us- So when he looks at down- ing playground equipment town and sees the number of or people playing a pickup businesses that are closed, game of basketball at a park then that is an encouraging - Archer said a “slippery sign that people are doing slope” can occur on enforce- their part to flatten the curve ment matters. while putting their liveli- “T think people want to hoods at risk to prevent the do the right thing,” he said. spread of the disease. “In your example of it being “On the other hand, if you children, I think that their go to get groceries and see a parents are the best influence whole a family getting gro- that they can have. If the po- ceries, that is discouraging,” lice need to stop and remind he said. “There’s really no fill that purpose, to fulfill somebody of something, need to take your entire fam- that void wherever we can,” that’s in their orders, that’s ily to get groceries, but yet she said. what they will be doing.” we still see things like that.” Cathy Henderson, Baptist Archer said no one wants People doing their part on Village of Elk City campus to see businesses shut down social distancing is the only director, said Baptist Village or see the city have 10-year way the public can get back is grateful to Western and lows for sales tax numbers. to normal as fast as possible, Comforting Hands Hospice. But he pointed to 580 Mer- he said. “Her beautiful artwork has brightened up the campus,” she said. “The residents Rural Hospice happy, and I love doing that,” she said. hospice has been part of Elk City for nine years and will loved it, as they could look out the window and watch her use her talents. Julie She said Comforting celebrate its 10th anniver- even included Easter-themed Continued from page 1. it is up to the administration Continued from page 1. Hands Hospice is happy sary next March. paintings. It is a blessing to rural hospitals are report- to respond with rapid action to continue to support the “Anything that we can do have many friends that are ing they are running out of to sustain rural providers. “It gives you happiness community and share happi- that is community based, willing to use their gifts to operating funds. This jeop- ardizes their ability to main- Any unnecessary delay will when you see other people ness wherever it can go. The we're always looking to ful- bring joy to many.” tain health care services dur- only worsen this situation. (including severe/ grandmother and continued have helped Williams be Canute cation ing the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we request you We cannot afford to ignore profound), history and psy- to [have] fascinating con- the teacher she is today. make the financial relief of their pressing needs. chology. versations up until her re- rural hospitals a priority. Michael and Cristi Wil- cent passing. Cristi’s style Her best advice is to “start The vast majority of rural Continued from page 1. Rural hospitals need access liams were married in 1996. of teaching is lecture-based the hour with a smile and hospitals have also ceased two daughters-in-law, performing elective proce- to financial resources im- Kaitlyn and Taylor, and They have two children, with interactions and class- end the hour with a smile.” dures and seeing non-urgent mediately and in the most one grandson, Liam. Merz Kyler Williams, who is 19 room conversations.” As many teachers are strug- patients. They know the streamlined manner. is a member of St. Matthew years old, and Dalton Wil- Williams tells _ students liams, who is 17 years old. she does not care as much as gling with the current teach- COVID-19 emergency con- Catholic Church and is a member of the Canute Lions Williams has taught at many about how they perform on ing situation, teachers must fronting our country must Thank you for your atten- take precedence. However, tion to ensuring the health Club. levels in surrounding towns, state testing as much as the remember that “students these actions threaten their and well-being of patients in Williams teaches high but began teaching history at knowledge they carry with Canute Public Schools four them after her class, the re- need us more than we may financial viability. We are rural America. We welcome school history, psychology, hearing from rural hospitals military history and current years ago. lease stated. be aware,” the release stated. the opportunity to discuss from across the country that events. “As a child, she always “The best feeling as a Williams is “extremely have only days left of cash- your efforts addressing our She graduated from knew she wanted to be a teacher is to have students humbled” at being chosen on-hand — money needed for concerns. Southwestern Oklahoma teacher,” the release stat- who share their knowledge payroll and supplies. Editor's note: The letter State University in 1995 ed. “She has many family outside of the classroom as High School Teacher of Mr. Secretary, our rural also requested Azar provide with a Bachelor of Science members who are teachers, and feel pride that they can the Year and the wonderful providers need your imme- degree in Elementary Edu- including her mother, who explain history,” the release diate assistance. Congress a personal briefing to mem- group she works with makes cation. Throughout the years continues to be an inspi- stated. has provided you with the bers of Congress by telecon- she has continued to obtain ration to her. Her interest So many individuals in each day a blessing, the re- funding and flexibility. Now ference on April 3. certifications in special edu- in history began with her her teaching experiences lease stated. PSO seeks to lower customers’ bills, thanks to lower natural gas costs By Jack Money, The significantly larger portion ers," said Matthew Horeled, term energy outlook pub- will begin to rise at the end 2020, falling incrementally Oklahoman of a bill, the adjustment will its regulatory and finance lished this week stated the of the second quarter as do- on a monthly basis to about TULSA - Public Service add up to thousands of dol- vice president. Henry Hub natural gas spot mestic production of the fuel lars in savings. 87.5 Bef per day in Decem- Co. of Oklahoma has been A trend? price averaged $1.74 per declines along with drilling paying less than planned for The adjustment will be PSO is the first electric million British thermal units and completion activities ber. natural gas used to help gen- provided through a monthly utility to file a fuel costs ad- (MMBtu) in March, attribut- and as utilities move into PSO customers in north- erate electricity. fuel costs assessment. justment case with Oklaho- ing its low cost to warmer- generating more power to The company _ notified If approved as filed with ma regulators since the coro- than-normal _ temperatures handle the summer cooling eastern, southeastern, south- the Oklahoma Corporation the Oklahoma Corporation navirus pandemic-enhanced that reduced space heating season. western and western parts Commission it intends to Commission, utility officials energy bust began. demands. It forecasts that Henry Hub of the state will enjoy some pass along those savings to expect savings to show up Utilities and other power Reduced energy demands natural gas spot prices will customers, starting in May. on customers’ bills in May providers across the nation because of businesses idled average $2.11 per MMBtu relief because of lower costs For a residential customer and to last through the re- that rely on natural gas to by the coronavirus also are in 2020 and then increase in for the fuel, Horeled said. that uses 1,100 kilowatt- mainder of 2020. generate substantial portions playing a role. 2021 to reach an annual ay- "With the current state of hours a month, the savings "The reduction in the fuel of their electricity are seeing The EIA estimates that to- erage of $2.98 per MMBtu. will decrease a monthly bill cost adjustment is largely cheaper prices and should tal U.S. working natural gas Domestic dry natural gas the economy due to the CO- by more than $9, or about the result of continued lower be passing those cost sav- in storage ended March at 2 production set a record in VID-19 pandemic, this re- 24%, officials said. prices for natural gas, which ings along to their customers trillion cubic feet, 17% more 2019, averaging 92.2 billion duction in fuel costs comes For a larger commercial PSO uses to generate a sub- soon. than the five-year average. cubic feet per day. and industrial customer, for stantial portion of the elec- The U.S. Energy Informa- The EIA, however, also The EIA forecasts it will at a good time for our cus- which fuel costs make up a tricity used by our custom- tion Administration's short- predicts natural gas prices average 91.7 Bef per day in tomers." 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