August 22, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 14

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2026 Weekend Edition Gov. Stitt Joins Rep. Archer in 77 County Visitations By Sheryl Ponce of that is the Elk City Regional Airport, quality of life, putting Elk City in a position State Representative, Nick Archer to speak. where the state contributed over $3 mil- to succeed. Archer also thanked the employees and The 28th Governor, Kevin Stitt, returned lion towards a modernization project that “We’re starting to see some results from then congratulated Governor Kevin Stitt to Elk City last week for a luncheon catered delivered to us in general and improved in- that. I’m sure some of you have heard, but on his eight years in office. He spoke about by Pedro’s and sponsored by the Elk City frastructure, and those improvements have just last month, Elk City surpassed, I try to the importance of showing the governor Chamber of Commerce. City employees really helped to give us the opportunity for get the number right, $1.579 million dol- what success Elk City has had during his were also there as part of an appreciation economic growth and open new doors and lars. That marks our highest sales tax in the term. luncheon. The meeting was opened by possibilities for Elk City in Western Okla- history of our city. That also helps put our Archer said, “The state of Oklahoma Mayor Micah Kilhoffer, who welcomed ev- homa,” Kilhoffer said. city at 5 percent out of Oklahoma munici- and the leadership of Governor Stitt made eryone to the event. He continued to say that the investments palities and puts us roughly 30 percent over a great partner in bringing a lot of these “Over the past several years, Elk City in projects have included the transporta- any comparable in Western Oklahoma,” things to fruition. When we think about has benefited significant investments made tion investments to help better the infra- Kilhoffer added. those numbers that the mayor mentioned, possible through a strong partnership be- structure and put in better opportunities. After thanking city employees for their tween state and local officials. An example It is about growing business, improving the hard work, Kilhoffer welcomed District 55 See STITT page 2 Gov. Kevin Stitt ECFD Recognize Newest Fire and EMS Staff By Sheryl Ponce ing, and learning the skills needed to safely and effectively serve our com- The Elk City Fire Department an- munity. Some have already complet- nounced the latest members of the Elk ed their required certifications, while City Fire and EMS. They have been others are continuing to work toward recognized for the hard work they have finishing them,” the announcement on done to achieve the right to be called social media said. part of the ECFD. Those individuals The new fire station has allowed the are Rylan Jones, Jospeh Karpilo, Eddie department to increase their full-time Clendennen, Collin Morgan, and Ca- personnel from eight to nine per shift. den Culver. Each one represents four The increased staffing was made possi- full-time firefighters and one volunteer ble because of the new fire station. With firefighter. these added men, there is an increase in According to the department’s strength and confidence in serving the announcement, they have been in community. training and completed the following The post continued to say, “We are certifications - Firefighter 1, Hazard- proud of what these five members have ous Materials Awareness, Hazardous accomplished and appreciate the time, Materials Operations, and Emergency effort, and commitment they have Rodeo of Champions Presents Medical Technician, along with nu- shown throughout their training.” merous additional classes and hands- As the new faces around the station on training. become more recognizable and serve “Becoming a firefighter involves Elk City, take time to welcome them New Chuckwagon Race much more than getting hired and reporting for duty. Their first year has included many hours in the classroom, on the training ground, studying, test- as part of those who provide a valuable service for the town. They appear ready for hard work and giving back to the community. By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Rodeo of Champions steering com- mittee has been busy putting together another year of entertainment for the upcoming rodeo. It will take place Labor Day Weekend. They have announced that the specialty act will be Circle 7 Chuckwagons out of Minot, North Dakota. There will be two chuckwagons that are pulled by a four-horse team of miniature thoroughbreds. These horses are bred for speed, but they are small enough to get around the arena. According to the rodeo an- nouncement on their social media platforms, Reed Rosencrans will bring the act to Elk City. They have raced competitively in Canada for years, but they are now on a path of showing off the event for rodeos across the United States. ““I bring excitement to a rodeo,” he said. “The crowd Chamber Supports gets into it, picks a winner, has fun, and cheers,” Rosen- crans told the committee. Rosencrans and his wife, Kim, have three daughters, Hannah, Paige, and Leah. Welcome them to Elk City Community Events and purchase tickets now for at least one night at the By Sheryl Ponce at 10 a.m., and the rodeo will heat up rodeo. again that evening. This year they will The Elk City Chamber of Commerce have an outdoor concert with “John puts together a calendar of events that King” performing at 10:30 p.m. in Ack- are happening throughout the town ley Park. Bring your own lawn chair. and places what they call “table tents” Sept 6th is “Champions Wear Purple,” in stores and restaurants. They are re- Rodeo Night for Alzheimer’s Aware- newed periodically to update future ness. events. The calendars give community Sept 7th, fastpitch softball will be members and tourists opportunities to playing Bethany at 5 p.m., and the next get involved in area activities. day they will play Kingfisher, also at The West Central Oklahoma Ken- 5 p.m. The FFA Leadership Conven- nel Club All Breed Dog Show will be tion will take place Sept. 9th, and the held again at the Civic Center Aug. Beckham County Free Fair is going to 27th through the 28th. The public is be Sept. 10th through the 12th, at the welcome to watch the competition that Sayre Activity Building. The football brings top dogs from across the coun- team will face-off with Childress, Tex- try. That includes dogs of all breeds. as, at Childress, at 7 p.m. Sparks Celebrates Growth for Students and Staff Aug. 28th, the Elk City Varsity Foot- ball will play Shawnee on the home field at 7 p.m., that evening is also The Carnegie Library will host “Homestead How to - Sourdough Bread” at 11 a.m., on Sept. 12th, and By Sheryl Ponce language arts (ELA), along with history for 8th grades were all above grade level were “Little Cheer Night” at 6:20 p.m. Sept. registration is required for this event. high school. 76 percent compared to the state average of 1st the Varsity fastpitch team will be Also on Sept. 12th, the Shooting Sports During the Elk City Public School Board “Everyone is involved in this, and it is ex- students above grade level was 61 percent. playing Woodward at 5 p.m., and on Banquet will take place at the Civic of Education meeting last week, Superinten- citing. We continue to get good results, and I The average percentage of students in the Thursday, Sept. 3rd the varsity football Center. On Sept. 14th, fast pitch soft- dent Mike Sparks reported the current test think that it is only going to grow. We spend 5th, 8th, and high school above grade level will play Altus on home turf, at 7 p.m. ball will play Weatherford at 5 p.m. scores for the district. The growth in the per- a lot of time talking about our process and was 59 percent, and the average percentage The 88th Annual Rodeo of Cham- Fall Festival of the Arts is going to be centage of students at or above grade level the things we can control,” Sparks said. of students above grade level in the state was pions will start Sept. 4th, at 8 p.m., at Sept. 19th through the 20th, at the Civic is above the state percentage in every area. In the area of math, the average percent the Beutler Brothers Arena. The rodeo He looked at the science, math, and English of students in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and See GROWTH page 2 parade will be the following morning See CHAMBER page 2 Weather Vol.No. Vol. 117, 122,54 No. 34 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 103 / 76 75 75 cents,cents 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com