January 31, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 13

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Weekend Edition SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026 Highest Sales Tax Ever Reported to Commissioners By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Commission met last Wednesday, at 2 p.m., in City Hall. The meeting was opened by Mayor Micah Kilhoffer, who gave the invocation, followed by Rick Shelton leading the flag salute. City Manager Tom Ivester was not present for the meeting. The commissioners approved the minutes of the Jan. 5th meeting, and then they approved Resolution 2026-1: A Resolution between the City of Elk City and Beckham County Commissioners to help provide labor to maintain the traffic light at Highway 6 and Merritt Road. This is an annual agreement. The next item on the agenda was the approval of the quote from Vistacom for a new radio recorder for the Elk City Police Department in the amount of $39,427. The commissioners also approved the quote from Ram Jack (American Leveling Co., Inc.) to seal and weatherproof Carn- egie Library’s foundation in the amount of $42,500. This will repair leaks around the foundation of the library. The commissioners approved a quote from Cloud’s Lawn and Irrigation for landscaping services to restore and enhance the library grounds following the completion of the foundation sealing and weatherproofing project in the amount of $9,461. They went on to look at the structure located at 114 Merritt as a dilapidated building detrimental to the public health, safe- ty, and welfare, and ordering the removal. It was previously tabled from March 4th, 2024. The commissioners heard from city inspector Gary Nix and then the representative for the homeowners. They tabled it until the Feb. 18th meeting, when the owners should be at the meeting. The Purchase Orders FY 25-26 and recurring invoices for Jan. 21st, were approved. There was no City Manager’s Report, and the commissioners went on to the City Treasurer’s Report. The city is in good financial position, and City Treasurer Jennifer Rainey reported that the sales tax returns hit a record number with $1.6 million. This is the highest in Elk City history. The use tax was up 11 percent over last year, and the cigarette tax was down three percent. There were no public comments, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m. The next meeting will take place Feb. 1st, at 7 p.m. in City Hall. Community Trust and Involvement Key to Success with ECPD By Sheryl Ponce Retirement reception Tribute to Iconic Police Chief Holland By Sheryl Ponce As Eddie Holland relinquishes his duties as Elk City Police Chief, he will still be seen in and around Elk City as part of the City of Elk City. After 45 years in the profession and leading the Elk City Police Department, he has decided to retire. He grew up in Western Oklahoma, although he spent years in law enforcement across the state before returning home. Throughout his service to Elk City, he has been a visible leader in the department, as well as in the community. Holland has brought his expertise in leadership to the force. He has served as a role model for younger and older officers, allowing them to do their jobs while respecting their positions. In the community, Holland has served on the Steering Committee for the Elk City Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Classes. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club and can be seen serving Meals on Wheels along with other civic events. Holland leaves a legacy of respect and knowledge with everyone he has worked beside. Whether it was a beginning officer or an experienced detective, he has been a confidant and supporter of their work. He promoted their successes and gave honors to a job well done. Because of Holland’s leadership, the department and individual officers have received recognition for their heroic efforts in the line of duty. It may be time to bid Chief Holland farewell to his position on the force, but he will continue to be a leader in the community. His influence and direction in the way he interacts with others is nothing but remarkable. No matter what he has going on, he is a man who is welcoming, genuine, compassionate, yet firm. Elk City has been fortunate to have called him Chief. See SUCCESS page 2 Eddie Holland and Cheryl Sipes PEO Founder’s Day Honored John Cook, wife Angela and Sam Head Out to Pioneer Center for an Evening of Activities By Sheryl Ponce Elk City’s Chapters DY and GX celebrated their P.E.O. Sisterhood last Wednesday, Jan. 21st, at 1:45 p.m., prior to the Elk City Commission meeting. Mayor Micah Kilhoffer presented a Proclamation in honor of the occasion. Members of both chapters were present as Patty Albert, president of Chapter DY, and Nan Shiblom, president of Chapter GX, accepted the proclamation. P.E.O. was founded by Hattie Briggs, Alice Coffin, Ella Stewart, Suela Pearson, Franc Roads, Alice Bird, and Mary Allen at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1869. The organization has expanded to over 250,000 members in chapters throughout the United States and Canada. The sisterhood is a source of friendship and support that celebrates the advancement of women. They also help educate women with scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College. Additionally, P.E.O. motivates women to achieve their highest aspirations. Both local chapters help support local and area young women with scholarships. Chapter DY meeting during the day and Chapter GX is a group of women who meet in the evening. For more information about the organization, contact a local P.E.O. member. As John Cook steps into his new role as Chief of the Elk City Police Department, he looks to continue the path of establishing trust with the public, as well as programs that promote an understanding of the department. “I want to build upon the great public relations that we have with the public. I view the police department as a business like any other business, although the product or the products that we offer is trust. So whatever we can do to build and maintain trust from the citizens is what I want to do. We already have such a great relationship with the citizens,” Cook said. He went on to explain the relationship that the department has with the city council and city manager as being very good right now, but in the future that could change. Cook believes it is his job to insulate the police department from issues that may harm the officers, such as a reduction in force or anything that would bring a bad light onto the officers. “I want it to be that we are trusted so much by the public that they won’t stand for city government to do that. My job is to make sure our department is insulated. Over the last few years, we’ve done a lot of things like the Citizens’ Academy. That was awesome. We’re going to By Sheryl Ponce The place to be this Friday is Elk City’s Pioneer Center, where the evening begins with the annual Pancake Supper put on by the Key Club. It will take place in the high school commons starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. The cost of a ticket is $7 and the proceeds go to their numerous projects. Also at 5 p.m., there will be a reception for the Elk City Leadership Hall of Fame recipients in the Pioneer Center Hospitality Room. The three being honored this year include Sadiaa Jones, Roger Shockey, and Dan Storm, DDS. They will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a presentation between the Elkettes and Elks basketball games in the gym. Watch both teams as they defeat Bethany on their home court. This is a wonderful evening out to support local students, as well as those leaders who have made an impact in Elk City. PEO Chapter DY and Chapter GX members Weather tomorrow 53 / 27 99/70 Vol. Vol. 117,122, No.No. 54 5 75 cents 75 cents, 12 pgs. Mail delivery Home delivery 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 Viewonline online View elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com