December 13, 2025 Issue, Page 2 of 12

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025 The Elk City News CareerTech expands innovative grants to smaller schools Oklahoma CareerTech is ex- “Oklahoma uses the reserve schools, technology centers and programs of study; career path- FY27 funding. technology education. The sys- panding a grant opportunity to funds to provide innovative grant colleges across the state. ways, workforce and industry More information about the tem offers programs and services smaller schools that were not pre- opportunities to distribute fund- Previously, secondary schools partnerships; supporting CTE Perkins innovative grants is in 29 technology center districts viously eligible. ing to schools across the state to and technology centers apply- special populations; high growth available on the Oklahoma Ca- operating on 63 campuses, 394 The innovative grants are expand CareerTech education ing for innovative grants were and emerging technologies; inno- reerTech website at https://okla- PK-12 school districts, 20 Skills awarded through funds from the opportunities for students,” said required to receive a Perkins al- vation in career exploration; in- homa.gov/careertech/educators/ Centers campuses that include Strengthening Career and Tech- Steve Robison, federal grants location of at least $15,000. Tech novative strategies to recruit and perkins/innovation-grants.html. three juvenile facilities and 49 nical Education for the 21st Cen- compliance manager at Oklaho- centers and colleges serving post- retain (High Schools That Work, adult education and family liter- tury Act, which amended the Carl ma CareerTech. “The purpose of secondary students must receive Tech Centers That Work and oth- OKLAHOMA CAREERTECH: acy providers. D. Perkins Career and Technical the innovative grants is to devel- an allocation of at least $50,000. er strategies); CTE new program; OKLAHOMA’S WORKFORCE The agency is governed by the Act of 2006. Oklahoma receives op new and sustainable projects In FY27, however, schools that and improving academic profi- LEADER State Board of Career and Tech- about $18.4 million every year in for high need areas and create are below the $15,000 minimum ciency. The Oklahoma Department nology Education and works Perkins grant money; 15% of the more innovative projects for secondary allocation and that are School districts must complete of Career and Technology Edu- closely with the State Depart- pass-through dollars is set aside classrooms.” otherwise members of a consor- a comprehensive local needs as- cation provides leadership and ment of Education and the State for reserve funds. The other 85% In fiscal year 26, Oklahoma Ca- tium will be eligible to participate. sessment and have at least two resources and assures standards Regents for Higher Education to is allocated to schools based on a reerTech has awarded $3.25 mil- Grants are available in eight programs to apply. Grants open of excellence for a comprehensive provide a seamless educational federal formula. lion in innovative grants to K-12 areas: career development and to new applicants in March for statewide system of career and system for all Oklahomans. Misdemeanors MISDEMEANORS Felonies PSO Distributes Free Light Bulbs State of Okla vs Keith A Phillips DUS. Obstructing an officer vs Redina G Bentley Public intoxication vs Star D Thacker Possession of CS & paraphernalia vs David F Alexander Public intoxication vs Lachelle M Wilson DUS. Possession of CS & marihuana to Oklahoma Food Pantries TULSA, Okla. (December 5, 2025) able to food pantry clients, but any Church Catholic Church – Public Service Company of Okla- PSO customer can take advantage Duncan: Christians Concerned Wilburton: Feed the Need – Wil- FELONIES homa (PSO) is continuing its com- of rebates and instant discounts on Elk City: St. Mathews burton Senior Citizens Center State of Okla vs April D Jenkins Possession of drugs in jail mitment to support communities many energy-efficient products. For Grove: Christian HELP Center vs Tristan N Leyja DUI it serves by distributing more than more information visit PowerFor- Hobart: Kiowa County Service ABOUT PSO vs Dewayne S Evans DUI. DUS. TOC 30,000 LED light bulbs to 33 food wardWithPSO.com. Agencies – First United Methodist PSO, a unit of American Electric vs Bill Brown Drug trafficking (Fentanyl) pantries this year. Participating food pantries in- Church Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is an electric vs Michael O Winslow Stalking The Shine a Light Project partners clude: Idabel: Hand to Hand utility company serving more than with food banks and pantries across Antlers: First Baptist Church Jenks: Jenks Community Food 580,000 customer accounts in eastern PSO’s service area to provide light Atoka: Southern Oklahoma Nutri- Bank and southwestern Oklahoma, power- Marriages & Divorces bulbs to families in need. By working alongside organizations already serv- ing their communities, PSO helps en- tion Program of Carter County Bartlesville: Concern Center, Sal- vation Army Lawton: Lawton Food Bank Locust Grove: Locust Grove Min- isterial Alliance Food Pantry ing a brighter energy future for its cus- tomers and 232 communities. Based in Tulsa, PSO has approximately 4,400 MARRIAGES sure these bulbs reach the households Broken Arrow: Arms Around BA, McAlester: First Baptist Church, megawatts of generating capacity that Jesus Villapando, Clinton – Brittnee, Clinton that need them most. Broken Arrow Neighbors First United Methodist Church of primarily includes natural gas com- Cody Cox, Sayre – Shea Coats, Sayre Since 2014, PSO’s Shine a Light Carnegie: Carnegie Food Pantry McAlester Pantry, Frink Baptist plemented by wind energy. It main- Ryan Flick, Elk City – Megan Lafferty, Elk City Project has distributed over 1 million Cheyenne: Rogers Mills Circle of Church tains and operates more than 20,000 Brice Clark, Hammon – Nevaeh Becker, Hammon energy efficient light bulbs. Care Okmulgee: Salvation Army miles of distribution lines and 3,800 “Community partnerships are at Chickasha: Salvation Army, First Ryan: Community Action De- miles of transmission lines. Public DIVORCES the heart of what we do,” said PSO Baptist Church velopment Corporation Jefferson Service Company of Oklahoma was Grant Miller vs Maggie Miller President and Chief Operating Of- Clinton: Saint Mary's Saint Vin- County recognized by the Edison Electric In- Kylie Lopez vs Kevin Lopez ficer Leigh Anne Strahler. “Working cent De Paul Food Pantry, Mission Sand Springs: Sand Springs Com- stitute with an Emergency Response Tristan Goodman vs Joshua Goodman alongside food pantries allows us to House munity Services Award in January 2025. Find news re- provide more than just light, it’s about Coalgate: Big Five Community Vinita: Craig County Neighbors leases and other information at www. supporting families and strengthen- Action Helping Neighbors PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us ing the communities we serve.” Coweta: CARD Inc. Weatherford: Connections Food on Facebook, X, NextDoor and Insta- The Shine a Light Project is avail- Dewey: Dewey United Methodist and Resource Center, St. Eugene gram @PSOklahoma. room light up or does it darken? (USPS # 173-020) 580-225-3000 LEADERSHIP How do you show up?’” As she concluded her talk, she Continued from page 1 asked each member of Class XI Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 The program was opened to talk about one person in the Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 by Rodney Cloud and Phillip class to illuminate what he or she O’Donnell from the Leadership has seen in each other. Each per- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO BOX 964, Elk City, OK 73648 Steering Committee and followed son took the opportunity to talk by the invocation given by Walker about another member, and what SUBSCRIPTIONS Sheryl Ponce, Hinds. The flag salute was led by he/she learned about him/her Staff Writer and from him/her. Deliverd by mail: Laura Carlucci. Guests and lead- ership members were welcomed Once the class completed $50/yearly print only Neva Pyatt, to the dinner by Matt Brown ca- the exercise, Rodriguez, Boone. $60/yearly print & online $40/online only Advertising Director tered by Poppy’s Pit & Grill. Smith, and DeWilde talked about Once everyone was served the class projects. They worked No refunds on subscriptions. Gina Jones, on two community service proj- Advertising Director and had the opportunity to eat, Dr. Casey Merrifield Cameron Rodriguez [email protected] Stacy Carnes-Stricker from the ects. One of those was repainting [email protected] Nancy Karnowski, Photography. The sponsors were show up in the world?’ Because and updating the skate park, and Steering Committee recognized CSR recognized for their contribu- how you show up in the world the other one was to paint Santa’s ECNclassifi[email protected] the photography by Chervenka tions, followed by Jennifer Hag- matters. If you’ve been around sleigh for Christmas in the Park. erman announcing the steering me, the question I like to ask is, Next on program was the video committee’s efforts and thanks ‘Do you know what it’s like to be and thank you presentation made Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices for their leadership throughout the year. on the other side of you when you show up?’ And part of that by Teresa Smith, followed by the graduation ceremony in which Lilly Vargas introduced the is really just being able to have Eddie Holland and Jessica Ford Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual guest speaker and leadership a self-awareness to know what gave the class his/her certificate resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as mentor, Casey Merrifield, to needs to change. Today in our and plaque. cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the speak. She thanked everyone for class, we talked a lot about differ- After class pictures and con- the dedication and opportunity ent ways we’ve grown,” Merrifield gratulations for a year of hard practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. began. to work with the group. She also work, the program came to a For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: told of how much growth there She continued to say, “he opens close. The next class, Leadership have been through Leadership his story in this book, he talks Class XII will begin their journey Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator Classes. She introduced the book, about the difference between be- in learning leadership and com- “How to Know a Person,” by Da- ing an illuminator and a dimin- munity involvement. For more Brianna Barker, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES vid Brooks. isher. My question to you tonight, information about the program, “He (Brooks) starts with this as I talk about this class is, ‘When contact the Elk City Chamber of idea that, ‘Do you know how to you walk into a room, does the Commerce. SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic Need an Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) • End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) • End Stage Liver Disease • End Stage Renal Disease • AIDS/HIV • End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Professional, Passionate Advance, Attentive ... Our Difference is Our Care EYE OPENING Have you ever considered becoming a hospice volunteer? A fulfulling experience in the spirit of gift this year? giving and receiving. Check out our gift cards! 580-339-6818 DOCTORS BINTZ & ELLIS OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANS Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving Carrie Perry, RN central western Oklahoma since 2011. 920 N. Main, Elk City • 580.243.1121