April 15, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Ww . See Agriculture page5 See Big Elk sports page 9 & \ WE = ituNews Tuesday, April 16, 2019 Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 MID-WEEK EDITION Circle of Care Home to be built in Elk City to where the house will be built. So we're in the process ofgetting that deed finalized and signed over to Circle of Care. So at that point, the land does not belong to the New Mayor local church anymore, it belongs to Circle of Care.” He said the house will be a community project because the host parents with the sibling groups could be from By Don Munsch any church or no church. Editor “Circle of Care helps recruit them and train them New Elk City Mayor Nick Archer eagerly awaits the with the approval and the future of the city. over-watch of Department of Archer was sworn in as mayor last week. Human Services, of course, “Elk City, our draw area and the geographical location of but this is a community where we are, puts us in a great position for growth and for thing,” he said, noting the becoming the hub of Western Oklahoma,” Archer said. importance offamilies stay- ‘Archer said he city will benefit from the Community Ac- ing together. tion Project Plans, approved by voters in February, to add a The Cimarron Home will number of quality of life features in town. be able to accommodate six “P'd like to see those projects get started as soon as pos- foster children with trained sible and as efficiently as possible,” Archer said. foster parents. He said residents entrusted the city with a lot of money and the Rev. Terry Koehn, right, senior minister of the church, stand in front of land Circle of Care launched and responsibility for the CAPPs program. where a foster home will be built across the street from the church. Staff photo by “T'd like them to see that and to be able to reap that Don Munsch. the Legacy of Care campaign benefit sooner than later,” he said. He hopes to see some in 2017, according to anews By Don Munsch about growing up with a ist Church, and the United release. It is a $5 million cap- of the smaller projects finished within the next eight to 10 months, but he does not know whether that is 100 percent Editor birth sister in his family, he Methodist Church in Sayre, ital campaign to address the possible now. choked up. are partnering with Oklaho- needs ofsibling sets in foster He is excited about all of the projects in CAPPs, with the The Rev. Terry Koehn pos- “Ihave, over the years, ma United Methodist Circle care amid the state’s severe new activity center being planned and in progress at Ack- sesses first-hand experience not really appreciated as I of Care to raise $200,000 to shortage of foster homes for ley Park West accounting for Archer’s focus now. He wants of the foster care system. should have the opportunity build the “Cimarron Home” sibling sets of three or more that building to be something that Elk City and Western He is an adoptive parent to have grown up with one of in Elk City to be a home to children. Oklahoma can be proud of, “but at the same time not break and adopted person who my birth sisters,” he said. large sibling sets in foster Sarah Steffes, vice the bank.” grew up ina foster home, ‘Asan adopted person, care. The land where the president of development for Archer had been involved in city affairs before becoming and he calls himself a “kid Koehn discussed how there’s four-bedroom room will be Oklahoma United Methodist mayor. In 2013, when he moved back to Elk City from Okla- brother of seven” people. an “uncanny connection be- builtis located on 1 2 acres Circle of Care for Children homa City, he was part of Leadership Elk City and said he From sisters, he learned how tween folks in a birth nuclear of land just north of Elk City and Youth, told Rotarians eagerly accepted that position, getting a chance to see the to iron clothes and make his family that you just can’t UMC, whose address is 720 that her organization is inner workings ofthe city. Former Elk City Mayor Bill bed long before he said any explain,” later saying in an W. Country Club Road. The expanding its reach across child should have to do that, emotional moment that every church donated the land for Oklahoma to help more See Mayor page 3. but he said that in turn made other day when he talks to the project. children and families. Her him a better husband. his sister, “I’m reminded of “We've got four acres and organization desires to keep Koehn spoke about his how important it is to have change over there,” Koehn sibling sets together while experiences with foster care her in my life.” said. “So we've gone through they’re in foster care and during the Elk City Rotary Members of the church for the process as a local church keep those children in their Club meeting last week, and when he talked specifically which Koehn serves as pas- tor, Elk City United Method- to deed one ofthose acres plus a driveway easement See Foster home page 2. Chamber’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Annual Lt. Govenor’s Turkey Hunt By Don Munsch Editor Elk City remains in the hunt for economic develop- ment, and the annual Lt. Governor's Turkey Hunt helps the city with its profile. ‘The third annual Turkey Hunt in Elk City came to town last week, with partici- pating hunters arriving from in-state as well around the File photo. country and Canada. ‘The hunt attracts awide Children who can’t wait to find Easter eggs can hop on range of folks, from people over to Ackley Park at 1 p.m. Saturday for the Elk City who have never fired a gun to Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Elk City Easter Egg those are avid hunters, said Hunt. Julie Lenius, director of Elk Admission is free to all participants, and the Easter City Convention & Visitors Bunny will be on hand at Ackley Park for pictures after the Bureau. hunt, the chamber stated in a news release. “It’s really a fun thing to The hunt is open for children between the ages of 1-10, bea part of,” Lenius said. “By the time these ladies and and they will search for than more than 11,000 candy-filled gentlemen leave our commu- Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, center, poses with Elk City Mayor Nick Archer, left, eggs hidden in designated areas of Ackley Park. nity, they say, ‘We'd love to and Elk City Manager Lee Litterell during the Lt. Governor’s Turkey Hunt in Elk City Families are encouraged to bring their cameras for come back,’ and want more last week. Photo by Terri Chervenka. pictures with the Easter Bunny. information.” The First Assembly of God Church volunteered to hide Lenius explained the back- we're trying to recruittothe Oklahoma that we're trying nities to be host cities, and all the eggs and helped the chamber with the age divisions, Bunt meat an alturkey State andourcommunity.” torecruitto Western Okla-_ up until four years ago, there | the release stated. The city's parks department and Con- Bike . ia llaenaee y The Turkey Hunt here had homa, and then some of the —_ were six communities. Then vention and Visitors Bureau also contributed to the Easter vernor started this 33 10 special guests, or hunters, state sponsors.” Elk City was added three Egg Hunt. ; _ | 80! ” Lenius said, “It’s _L@nius said. Department of There are eight communi- _years ago, and then Pawnee Before the hunt, children can visit the Link’s Eggstrava- ewetate) S Commerce representatives _ ties that are allowedtobea County was added. ganza, which will be located directly across from the Deperttitent ‘ofCommerce Were here as well. host city, Lenius said. “That's officially all they're _| Carousel in Ackley Park from noon to 2 p.m. The Link’s ‘and the people that they “We had one from Ari- “So we're pretty honored —_going to allow because the organizers will be providing free hot dogs, cotton candy bring to these Turkey Hunt 20a,” Lenius said about to fall in that category,” she lieutenant governor can’t and drinks while supplies last. A giant bounce house and are cite selectors, CEOs, guests. “One from Calgary, said. make it to more than that games will also be available for kidsto enjoy. decision-makers for business Canada. A couple from The lieutenant governor’s For more information, please contact the Elk City Cham- Dallas, Texas. Afewherein office approves the commu- See Turkey hunt page 2. | ber of Commerce at 580-225-0207. (HL Ml Mtl INN Weather Eg ii 6 Vol. 117, No. 31 Home delivery View online « sore las 4 34 » tomorrow sm 7 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 ecdailynewsonline.com