January 31, 2026 Issue, Page 2 of 13

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026 The Elk City News Preparing now saves time and reduces stress when filing taxes By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – With tax season just around the corner, organizing W-2s, mortgage interest statements, dependent care forms, and other essential documents now can help reduce stress, avoid delays, and ensure taxpayers receive the refunds to which they are entitled. Regardless of whether the forms are digital or paper, it is vital to organize them into one folder, said Mengya Wang,Oklahoma State University Extension personal finance specialist. “Tax season can be stressful, but being organized is the best way to make sure you don’t overlook im- portant documents and to get your paperwork filed on time,” Wang said. “Taxpayers will feel more prepared and be less likely to get scammed.” While gathering tax documents, review the Internal Revenue Service website for additional details on tax forms, taxable income, charitable donations, address changes, individual tax identification numbers and more. Additionally, update life changes, such as marriage, divorce, a new baby or buying/selling a home. Tax season is also a good time to review household income and withholdings. Wang said people receiving large refunds are withholding more funds than necessary. “Many people could benefit from MISDEMEANORS & FELONIES adjusting withholdings, so they take home more money each paycheck,” she said. “If you owe taxes, adjust your withholdings to have more taken out each month or make estimated quarterly tax payments.” Taxpayers who owe taxes but don’t have the resources to pay them in full when filing have some options to resolve the tax bill. They may pay part of the balance and set up a payment plan, or they may see if they qualify for an offer in compromise. If a taxpayer can’t pay any of the amount when filing, ask to delay collection. More information is available in the Get Help with Tax Debt section of the IRS website. Taxpayers who are due a refund should have it electronically deposited into their bank account. The IRS encourages people to use direct deposit because it’s safer and faster. Be sure to include the correct account and routing numbers on tax documents. Be wary of scammers during tax season. Taxpayers who receive phone calls, emails, text messages and other communications indicating taxes are due or that legal immigrants will be deported if taxes aren’t paid immediately are being scammed. The IRS will never call or email requesting immediate payment in the form of gift cards or Bitcoin. For those who will receive a re- SUCCESS child crimes but I also worked the homicides or the bigger type cases, some of the big-time cases were the ones I concentrated on,” Cook noted. Although he did not intend on being the chief of police, his career path naturally took a turn into law enforcement. He graduated from Granite High School in 1992, and Cook then went on to college at Western Oklahoma State, in Altus to achieve his associate’s degree in applied science. From there he attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University to earn a degree in biology, specifically in fisheries biology. “I worked my last two years in college at the Oklahoma State Fish Hatchery at Grant. I was a part-time guy, and then I went full-time with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife in the Wildlife Division. I was actually working in endangered species recovery in Broken Bow. I lived in Broken Bow, McCurtain County, a wilderness area,” he said. He also said that he was working on the red cockaded woodpecker, which was in the Endangered Species Program. That was about the same time that the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife had big leases with Weyerhaeuser, which gave them millions of acres, and they leased it for $1. As part of the deal, they had to provide more enforcement for arson. They cross trained Cook so then he became a state game warden. Cook then took a job with the state of Missouri as a state game warden. He was there until 2011 and then returned to take over his family farm at Willow. That was when he started with the Elk City Police Department. The two careers were very similar, according to Cook. He said that the job is and continues to be talking to people. As game warden, he handled DUI arrests, as well as drug arrests and felonies in Missouri. With Cook’s history, his success has been the relationships he has Continued from page 1 MISDEMEANORS State of Okla vs Klye D Jaynes DUI State of Okla vs Wilber L Brewer Jr Possession of CS State of Okla vs Bailey E Alexander Larceny of merchandise State of Okla vs Ashley A Nunez Public intoxication. Assault & battery. Resisting. Property damage State of Okla vs John W Melton Threatening acts of violence State of Okla vs Logan K Littleman Assault & battery FELONIES State of Okla vs Sean K Schwerdtfeger Trespassing. Possession of firearm State of Okla vs Albert C Allen Concealing stolen property "There will not be any changes or exceptions to the publication of these records." MARRIAGES & DIVORCES MARRIAGES Alexander Hamar, Canute – Vickie Phillips, Elk City Ashley Stout, Centerton, AR – Alexandra McLeod, Centerton, AR (USPS # 173-020) 580-225-3000 Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO BOX 964, Elk City, OK 73648 Sheryl Ponce, Staff Writer SUBSCRIPTIONS Deliverd by mail: $50/yearly print only $60/yearly print & online $40/online only No refunds on subscriptions. [email protected] [email protected] Neva Pyatt, Advertising Director Ashley Moore, Advertising Director [email protected] Nancy Karnowski, CSR do it again this year. In fact, in the next month, we’re probably, going to get those apps out for it,” Cook continued. Cook also established a financial information workshop for senior citizens, as well as a ride along program. He wants more people to get involved in these types of programs, and he believes the sky is the limit on what can be done. He believes that they are ambassadors to the public. The department staff is five down, but not everyone is cut out to be a police officer. He said that they are selective in who they hire and have had 17 applications in the last two weeks. The requirements are strict, beginning with a clean background check, and the application packet is lengthy. “We want them to pay attention to detail. This is a detail-oriented job, so if you can’t pass the first test, which is to fill out the application correctly, that sends me a message. Then we have, of course, a physical fitness standard. A lot of them get to that point, and they can’t make past the physical fitness standard,” Cook said. The test includes climbing a sixfoot wall in five seconds; doing 30 sit ups in 60 seconds; 20 push-ups in 60 seconds; running a 100-yard dash in 15 seconds, and running a mile and one/ half in 15 minutes. The department pays for the officers to go to a gym to keep fit, but that is the entrance test. Cook believes that the physical part of the job is only part of it. The people they meet is the hardest part of the job, but it is also the best part of the job. “I’ve met a tremendous amount of awesome people in my position. I once was in patrol for a little while, then I went to the detective’s office. I was in the detective’s office for ten years, and I concentrated mainly on Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator Brianna Barker, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic 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 ... fund, plan now how the money will be used. “Don’t think of a refund as a bonus. Instead, add to your emergency fund, reduce high-interest debt or add it to an education fund for your children,” Wang said. “It’s financially wise to use these funds as a way to help build your assets.” Many taxpayers qualify for free filing options through the IRS Free File program or volunteer programs such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Some OSU Extension county offices are partnering with the United Way of North Central Oklahoma to bring the VITA program to several locations around Oklahoma. The VITA program as- Swearing In developed within the community. Although he continues to live on the family farm, Elk City is where he and his family do their business. They shop here, which includes buying their groceries and cars here. In the future he hopes to have the department fully staffed, conduct more outreach programs, such as the Citizens Academy, and continue to build trust within the community. Cook says that he wants the public to know that if anyone needs anything, his door is open. “Well, the more the public trusts us, the more likely they are to tell us about things happening in the community. Because, I mean, we can’t possibly staff enough people to watch every intersection,” Cook said. He also said that statically Elk City is below the national and state crime rate, and he attributes that to the people that live here. It is the type of people in Elk City that make it great, but Cook also sees that the biggest problem in the area is in Lester Lee Habekott was born on March 28, 1953 to Virgil Lester and Ada Mae (Mitchell) Habekott in Peek, OK. He passed on January 22, 2026 at the age of 72 years, 9 months, and 25 days. Lester grew up with his eight siblings Danny, Karline, Butch, Loretta, Ruth Ann, Clayton, Freddie, and Roger. He spent his childhood at Crawford, OK, Arnett, OK, and Canadian, TX. He graduated in 1972 from Canadian High. During high school he worked for George Hand at the filling station and as a custom harvester for Ray Risley. While Lester was on harvest he met Virginia Marie Tryon. They married in February of 1972 and to this union Michelle was born and Lester welcomed in Troy and Tracey as his own. He began his career in the oil field as a roughneck working for Moran Brothers. He worked in the oil field for over forty years working his way up to consultant and retired in 2018. In his spare time, Lester enjoyed farming and spending time with his horses and cattle. He also enjoyed gardening. After he retired, he became known as the King of Peddling. He could be found tinkering with just about everything in his shop. He built the deer camp in Packsaddle, OK and loved spending time with his brothers there fishing and hunting. But most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially when it came to his grandkids. Lester was baptized at home by Andy Taylor and was a member of Trinity Fellowship. Lester was known for his humor and laughter and will be greatly missed by his friends and family. Have you ever considered becoming a hospice volunteer? A fulfulling experience in the spirit of giving and receiving. THE BRANDING IRON restaurant $15.99 Thursday Night Steak & Shrimp Buffet $12.99 Friday Night Catfish & Ribs Buffet Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving central western Oklahoma since 2011. mental health. The officers are not mental health care professionals, yet they are called out to handle the situation. People with mental health episodes are not criminals. He believes there is a need to have a mental health professional on staff, but he has not been able to find anyone for the job. As Cook makes his way as Chief of Police, he is backed by his family. He has been married to Angela for the past 32 years, and they have two children. A 30-year-old son, Clint, and an 11-year-old daughter Samantha who they call “Sam.” Angela is a teacher in Altus on the Altus Air Force Base. She was named Honorary Commander for five or six years. Chief of Police in Elk City is a position of respect and honor. Cook has filled those requirements as assist chief over the past few years. He will continue to serve the community, as well as the officers in the Elk City Police Department. Welcome him as he navigates and promotes goodwill throughout out the town. OBITUARIES LESTER HABEKOTT Our Difference is Our Care Carrie Perry, RN sists qualified taxpayers with free tax preparation. The volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service. Check with the nearest county OSU Extension office to see if the program is available. “Tax season can be stressful. Getting organized early can help alleviate some stress and help ensure taxpayers get back everything they’re entitled to receive,” Wang said. OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state›s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost. Dine-In or Carryout Available 1200 S. 10th Street • Clinton, OK • 580-323-5554 Lester is preceded in death by his late spouse Virginia Habekott, parents Virgil and Ada Habekott, brother Butch Habekott, son Troy Tryon, and nephew Josh Habekott. He is survived by his daughter Michelle Morgan of Elk City, OK; son Tracey Tryon of Elk City, OK; three grandchildren Shelby Gallagher and husband DJ of Elk City, OK, Drayton Stinson and wife Madison of Fay, OK, Brendon Stinson and wife Madison of Fay, OK; three great grandchildren Caden Stinson, Gavin Gallagher and Cora Gallagher; brothers Clayton Habekott and wife Candice of Elk City, OK, Freddie Habekott of Brownwood, TX, Roger Habekott and wife Nancy of Higgins, TX; sisters Karline Vanhooser of Allen, TX, Loretta Newhouse of Edmond, OK, and Ruth Ann Briggs and husband Tony of Canadian, TX; best friend and companion Lovella Booth; many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends. The family would like to thank Comforting Hands Hospice, Davita Dialysis Center, Dr. Treva Graham, James McCullough, Madison Stinson, Sheila Ragsdale and Kristina Daniels for their compassion and kindness.