August 29, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 14

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INSIDE EMENT TO A SPECIAL SUPPL D COUNTY RECOR THE BECKHAM ELK CITY NEWS & THE AUGUST 2026 Don’t Forget Have Fun At To Fuel Up The Rodeo! Before The Rodeo! SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 Weekend Edition Commissioners Approve Consulting Firm Concerning Water Rights and Celebrate Record Tax Income By Sheryl Ponce for the items was not available. The first of $24,442, a budgeted item. City Manager dle that would like to keep water, and the grams. There was a bill about municipali- was the purchase of a 2027 Ford F250 crew Tom Ivester said that this is part of a three- people in the south want to keep the water. ties, but it was only for communities that The Elk City Commissioners held their cab chassis from Barber-Dyson Ford in prong strategy for protecting the city’s wa- Martin also pointed out that there will be a have a population of 7000 or less. They will bimonthly meeting Wednesday, Aug. 19th, the amount of $52,990, a budgeted item, ter and ensuring future water sustainability. new senator in the east in a runoff. be watching the runoff races and getting to at 2 p.m., in City Hall. With Jeff Waters and and the other one was the purchase of 14 There are two water consultants working There are 11 interim studies that could know the candidates. Rod Carver absent, Mayor Micah Kilhoffer Kenwood Viking VP800 portable radios, on the report from the Dept. of Interior, affect the city. This firm is monitoring the The commissioners approved the con- opened the meeting with the invocation, including high-temperature remote speak- and these two individuals who monitor the studies and reporting back to Ivester. There tract and went on to approve the agree- and Rick Shelton led the flag salute. The er microphones and chargers from Chick- Capital for legislation on the City’s behalf. were 49 bills filed over the past two years. ment for Engineering services for Fairlawn commissioners began by approving the asaw Communications in the amount of Luke Martin spoke to the commission- The trends they see include those relat- Cemetery between the City of Elk City and minutes from the Aug. 3rd meeting, fol- $77,770.72, a budgeted item. ers about the new senator, Rick Vernon, ing to basin integrity studies and spacing. WDB Engineering, PLLC, in the amount lowed by the approval of renewing services The commissioners approved an Agree- from Altus. He pointed out that the com- This is a topic, along with the flex alloca- of $36,000, a budgeted item. They also with NinjaOne LLC, for IT services in the ment for Consulting Services between missioners should meet with him sooner tions and the number of years that might approved an Agreement for Engineering amount of $25,478.16, a budgeted item. Capital Plus, LLC, and the City of Elk City rather than later to discuss the water issue. be mixed with it. There are also bills con- services (for I-40 Frontage Road between The next two items on the agenda were for monitoring legislation affecting or per- He also said that there is a House member cerning groundwater measurement, as well not addressed because the spokesperson taining to City of Elk City in the amount and a Senate member near the Panhan- as water and wastewater investment pro- See APPROVE page X Go Purple for Alzheimer’s By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Rodeo of Champions has designated Sunday, Sept. 6th, as “Champi- WOHS ons Wear Purple Night.” This is in honor of raising awareness, strengthening support, and honoring those impacted by Alzhei- Board Gears mer’s and all other dementias. The Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Coalition (WOAC) will be in full force to help support caretak- ers with respite care, along with hosting a Up for Flea support group meeting on the second Tues- day of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the First Assembly of God Church, located on south Randall. Market WOAC will be raising funds for those who struggle with Alzheimer’s and dementia By Sheryl Ponce within a 60-mile radius of Elk City. Accord- ing to the Alzheimer’s Association, “The The Western Oklahoma Historical Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to Society Board of Directors met Monday, end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — Aug. 24th, at 11 a.m., at Western Tech- by accelerating global research, driving risk nology Center. President Dr. Danny reduction and early detection, and maximiz- Storm called the meeting to order, fol- ing quality care and support. It is the most lowed by a moment of silence in honor common form of dementia, and it causes of the late Jim Coffey. Coffey has been problems with memory, thinking, and be- an instrumental part in the organization havior.” and the Farm and Ranch Museum. The early signs and symptoms of Alzhei- The approval of the minutes from the mer’s and Dementia include – memory loss July meeting was approved with one that disrupts daily life; challenges in plan- change. Treasurer Beverly Jordan gave ning or solving problems; difficulty com- the treasurer’s report, which was also ap- pleting familiar tasks; confusion with time proved. Storm went on to the Standing or place; trouble understanding visual im- and Special Committees. Cindy Wood reported that there have been no new members over the past Rotarians Host District Governor ages and spatial relationships; new problems with words in speaking or writing; misplac- ing things and losing the ability to retrace steps; decreased or poor judgement; with- month. Randy Haggard said that the By Sheryl Ponce when he was in a wreck and in the hos- that a gentleman came and was doing blacksmith organization met last week pital. Two Rotarians came to visit him, work on the streets and just trying to drawal from work or social activities; and at the Blacksmith Shop. Donnie Jordan The Elk City Rotary Club met for only to suggest he apply for a Rotary help the youth and the people on the changes in mood and personality. then talked about the art display in the their regular meeting Thursday at noon Ambassadorial Scholarship. The schol- streets. Somehow, that guy recognized Caretakers are challenged with changes in Education Building. Currently, they in the Meals on Wheels dining room. arship would pay him to study overseas his potential and decided that he had their loved ones. Many times, they need help are working on displaying the Route They welcomed the Rotary’s District for a year. This would pay for the flight, potential.” navigating those changes as well as their 66 quilt made by Carol Spieker. He or- 5770, Southwest Oklahoma, District schooling, and housing. He was award- Fountain repeated a quote from the medical issues while helping the patient. dered a special hanging display, and they Governor, Dr. Patrick D. “Pat” Foun- ed the scholarship, which was one out Indian District Governor that said, This is a night to say thanks to those who will be putting it up on Wednesday. He tain to the meeting. He is from the Ada of three chosen to represent the orga- “When you give more than you think help caretakers and patients. They cannot added that the next artist will be Jenny Rotary Club and a retired business ad- nization. He went to Australia and then you can, life returns to you more than reach as many people without community Jarnigan, who was the first artist that ministration professor at East Central returned only to meet his wife. you can ever imagine.” displayed her work. She will be the first University in Ada. Fountain achieved When he attended a conference, The quote resonated with Fountain, See PURPLE page 2 repeated artist. They are working on the his Doctor of Business Education de- Fountain heard a district governor and he encouraged the Elk City Rotar- artist who will follow Jarnigan. gree with a major field of marketing at from India speak about leading expedi- ians to follow that sentiment. He also The Archives Report was given by Louisiana Tech University. tions all over India and all over Asia to went on to talk about membership, the Judy Haught. She received an email Fountain was Ada Rotary Club’s inoculate children for polio. Interact high school organization, as from a producer from ARD German president in 2010-2011. He and his “He spoke a little bit, very quietly. well as the RYLA leadership conference Radio who will be traveling Route 66, wife have hosted Rotary and Youth You could see what a humble man he for high school students. Fountain sug- and she is interested in ghost towns. The Exchange students, group study ex- was. But this is what he said, ‘As a young gested ways to accommodate schedules woman asked about Texola, as well as change team members, and students adult, he had no education, no future.’ to add to the club’s membership. One Elk City. She will be in Elk City Oct. 1st. studying English at ECU. He is an Eagle He said a Rotarian mentored him. He of those ideas was to have an evening Haught also said that she will be inter- Scout and currently serves on Scouting helped him start a business, helped him group that meets once a month. viewing Mrs. Carter for the archives. America’s International Committee, get his education, and got him into the As Fountain concluded his talk, he Haggard gave the Museum Board a and a life member of the International Rotary. And He said Rotary gave him a referred to Bob the Builder, the cartoon report. He said that the numbers for the Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. new life, new purpose, new friendships, character that said to get a job done; museum grew from 1966 to 4244 this As Fountain began to talk, he men- new meaning, and a global family. And one has to have the right tools for the year. Additionally, the gift shop numbers tioned how he is traveling throughout he said, “Life has taught me this beau- job, have a plan, and have the people do went from $8473 last year to $21,236 this the district and visiting with Rotarians. tiful truth. And when you look at that, the job. People are the most important year. He also said that they are bricking “Rotary is amazing in terms of what Rotarians and Rotary did give him pur- ingredients to the success of any orga- the walk at the bucking chutes, and as- we can do, and so I challenge this club pose, gave him a new life, gave him a nization. He presented President Trish sistant city manager Billy Thornton will to do these things, and you are doing future,” Fountain explained. Southard banners for the year’s new slo- be attending their meetings to inform these things. They say Rotary touches He continued, “He was running with gan to hang during all of the meetings. the board about City interests. people, and our theme this year is “Cre- a street gang on the streets of India. The meeting was adjourned at 1 The docents’ soda shop will close ate a Lasting Impact,” he said. I’m thinking, wow. Now he’s the dis- p.m.; their next meeting will take place Fountain went on to talk about his trict governor, and he’s done all those Thursday, at noon, in Meals on Wheels’ See MARKET page 2 experience in Rotary and how it began great things. What happened? He said dining room. Weather Vol.No. Vol. 117, 122,54 No. 35 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 103 / 73 75 75 cents,cents 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com