May 16, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 Weekend Edition ECPS Hires New District Treasurer By Sheryl Ponce the approval of the April 13th Board pended so far this FY and $3,210,193.72 all that, we’re in really good shape finan- tachment from each site; and/or discuss Meeting Minutes, the Superintendent’s encumbered. Future expenses included cially. My fear continues to not be next Elk City FFA program. They returned to The Elk City Public Schools Board of Financial Report, the Treasurer’s report $100,000. The Total Revenue collected year, but it is the year after that I am con- open session at 7:16 p.m., to continue to Education met for their regular monthly ending April 30th, the Activity Fund was $18,958,005.48, with $16,748,318.66 cerned about,” Sparks explained. the items listed on the agenda. No action meeting Monday, May 11th, at 6 p.m., in Report, and new encumbrances and collected and $1,897,225.53 projected The Board voted to convene into ex- was taken concerning the items listed for the ECPS Conference Room. The meet- change orders as submitted. In the Su- revenue with $100,000 potential reve- ecutive session at 6:04 p.m., to do one executive session. ing was opened by president Brandon perintendent’s Report, superintendent nue. or all of the following – discuss the em- The first item they approved was the Storm. There were no comments from Mike Sparks told the board that the “We started FY2026 with $5,329,348.13 ployment, resignation, termination, or OSSBA Employment Services for the the public, therefore, the board contin- district is in good financial position. in carryover. We are on pace to decrease appointment of all persons listed as such 26/27 school year. Sparks said that this ued to approve the consent agenda. The total expenditures for the year is that by $1,105,650.16. That leaves us on the agenda; discuss certified staff; Included in the consent agenda was $20,063,655.64, with $16,753,461.92 ex- with a carryover of $4,223,697.97. To say discuss all support staff that included at- See HIRES page 10 Track Stars Set Records By Sheryl Ponce 4x200, with a time of 1:40.8. The relay team was Addi Caldwell, Campbell The Elk City community came out Garbarino, Brenyn Ball, and Blakely to send the Elk City High School track Ball. In the 100m was Campbell Gar- team off to state, Thursday, May 7th. barino, who broke the ECPS record Under the direction of Andy Peffer, with 12.03 time, and she also ran the there were 17 tracksters who qualified 300H and broke the school record with for the state track meet. Those included a 43.45. They held a third-place team ten boys - Luke Thomas, Conley Poole, title on the girls’ side. The boys 4x200 Devin Hickey, Marcus De La Rosa, also broke the record at 1.29.54s. ECHS Rhaziah Reese, Dom Gordon, Riley won the Public School State Title. Smith, Julian Denham, Charles Jones, This year has been record breaking, and Dakota Brown. There were seven not only for the team, but for individual girls who also qualified - Campbell athletes. A tradition that surpassed team Garbarino, Blakely Ball, Brenyn Ball, and community expectations that creat- Luci O’Hara, Kami McClure, Lacey ed an excitement as they were sent off to Bonner, and Addi Caldwell. the state meet. Track has made a place in The girls set a new state record in the the record books that will live on. The Great Race Stops in Elk City for Lunch By Sheryl Ponce see the old machines make it to the finish at 11:15 a.m., for lunch. The race will travel line and claim the prize. to Amarillo, followed by lunch in Tucumcari. The Great Race has had a grand history Since this is the Route 66 Centennial, Racers go on to Albuquerque for an overnight of events that began by accident, but a lot the 2026 Great Race will start on Sat. June visit. Thursday, June 25th, the Great Race will of work, when Tom McRae and Norman 20th, out of Springfield, Ill., from 9:30 a.m. pull into Gallup for lunch and spend the night Miller began it in 1983. The two partnered to 1 p.m., CDT. Their first stop will be at in Flagstaff, Friday, the 26th. a deal that planned to race pre-World War Collinsville in Ill. for an overnight stay. They Racers will have lunch in Kingman, Ar- II automobiles across the United States for a will then get lunch on Sunday, June 21st, in izona, Friday. They will spend overnight at massive purse. Since that first race, the race Waynesville, Missouri. San Bernadine, and they will get up to finish has been a marvel to the automotive history. The next overnight stop will take place at at Pasadena Calf. The challenge for the long-distance race Joplin, Missouri on Route 66. Claremore is Once the race is completed, they will trav- involved 69 antique auto enthusiasts. The their next stop for lunch on Monday, June el back home to their families and crews. battle started at Knott’s Berry Farm near 22nd, followed by a pit stop in Sapulpa. They This event will have left an impact in Elk L.A., where some paid a $5000 entry fee to will then make it to Oklahoma City’s Stock City as well as every other town they passed run for the $250,000 purse. The final desti- Yards for another overnight visit. through. Come out to the museum to see the nation was Indianapolis, Indiana. Race fans Tuesday, June 23rd, the Great Race will stop antique cars and welcome the Great Race to gathered to watch the final leg of the race and in Elk City at the National Route 66 Museum Elk City. SWOSU Celebrates Distinguished Alumni By Sheryl Ponce SWOSU Foundation Executive Direc- tor presiding. Each of the inductees Alumni who have made an impact on Southwestern Oklahoma State spoke to those gathered to honor them and followed by the closing given by City Wide Garage Sale on the Horizon University are recognized for their King. The official sponsor for the event By Sheryl Ponce contributions to society, their accom- was Lucille’s Roadhouse Restaurant plishments, affiliations, and careers that Hotel and Bar. The Elk City Chamber of Commerce honor the legacy that embodies the tra- According to the program, “Beutler announced the Elk City Citywide Ga- ditions and excellence of the university. leads the Beutler & Son Rodeo Com- rage Sale will be taking place Saturday, Each inductee has added value to the pany, a legacy enterprise with deep June 6th. It is time to get addresses on pride that permeates through, not only roots in the Beutler Brothers Rodeo the map to sell clothes, furniture, tools, Western Oklahoma, but the entire state. Company started in 1929 by his grand- toys, or home décor. This year the university is honoring father, Elra Beutler. Today, Beutler & Addresses must be registered with four alumni who fit the criteria that has Son is one of the most successful and ilies rummage through old clothes, the Chamber by Friday, May 29th, at 5 been set to become part of the family respected stock contracting firms in the furniture, or shoes to be listed on the p.m. To secure a place, register the sale of distinguished alumni. Those include professional rodeo industry. Beutler Chamber’s Garage Sale lists. Shop local location by calling 580-225-0207, no Bennie Beutler, class of 1970; Melvena and his company have been recognized not only means local merchants, but it comments or messages will be accept- Heisch, class of 1974; John Kassiter, with seven Saddle Bronc of the Year includes individual garage sales. Stop ed as registration. Garage sales must be class of 1963; and Bruce Magill, class of awards, seven Bull of the Year awards, by to claim someone else’s treasures for registered with the Chamber to have 1970. and seven Bareback Horse of the Year your own. Get ready now for June 6th, an address appear on the list of garage The Hall of Fame Induction took to secure a spot in the parade of garage sales. place May 8th, with Garrett King, See ALUMNI page 10 sales. It is this time each year that fam- Weather Vol. Vol. 117,122, No.No. 54 20 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 90 / 70 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com