August 6, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Tuesday, August 6, 2019 Weekday Edition Splash pad makes debut at Elk City park By Don Munsch, Editor over here, but now we have this, so we have The new splash pad at Ackley Park West another option for the youngsters to enjoy in lies to the south and across a parking from the summer time.” the Thunder Court, but one might have Kammie McAbee of Elk City brought thought Sam Brewer was at the Thunder daughter Palmer, 4, to the opening. Court shortly after a ribbon-cutting was held “We're excited about it,” Kammie said. for the splash pad Friday morning. “We’ve been looking forward to it for a Brewer, 12, mimicked action seen on the good while.” Thunder Court Friday as he tried to shoot Kammie said Palmer thought the pad was his one of his flip-flop shoes into a bucket cool and wanted to see the ribbon-cutting, that drops water on users. One time when the and she and her mom were going to come shoe went inside one of the three buckets, he back later and play in the water. raised his arms in exultation. “She’s been to several other splash pads Others also gave rave reviews. and obviously she was very excited to have “T like it,” said Julie Brewer, mother of one here in Elk City,” Kammie said, adding Sam and Ella, 10, of Elk City. “I think it’s a she and Palmer use the walking track to walk great addition. Not only do we have the pool See Splash Pad page 2. Wednesday night Sam Brewer, 12, and sister Ella, 10, of Elk City play with one of the features at the new splash pad at Ackley Park West during its opening on Friday. Staff photo by homicide update Elk City man to be arraigned Don Munsch. No additional details have been released Around midnight, Elk City police officers By Don Munsch, Editor The other three charges filed against Gladd, as of today as Elk City police continue to An Elk City man will be arraigned on who has bonded out of Beckham County responded to a shots fired call at an address investigate a man’s death after his body was eight charges, including two alleging forc- Jail, are use of technology to solicit a minor, in the 1000 block of North Adams. When found following calls about shots being officers arrived, they found a dead male, ible sodomy and three alleging sexual bat- violation of Computer Crimes Act and rape fired Wednesday night, according to an Elk who has been identified as Robert Earl tery, all with high school students, on Aug. by instrumentation. City Police Department release. Turnbow, 33. Police said his current address 20, according to information from Beckham The probable cause affidavit states Sweet- Elk City PD Chief Eddie Holland said is not known. County. water Public Schools Superintendent Casey it probably would be mid-week before he Police released no further information Cameron Gladd, 30, is a former teacher Reed contacted the Beckham County Sher- would have any additional information to other than to say it was an ongoing inves- and coach at Sweetwater High School and iff’s Office on Jan. 17 to notify authorities share. tigation. a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper. See Gladd page 2. From one generation to another Ruth Mikles, a resident of the Baptist Village of Elk City, looks at two classic Ponti- acs with son Tony Mikles at the Third Annual Car and Motorcycle Show Saturday at Baptist Village of Elk City. Left, Mikah Morris and 2-year-old son Breman of Elk City look at a street rod pickup from 1934 at the show. Staff photos by Don Munsch. Beckham County files suit in opioid epidemic matter By Don Munsch, Editor Mills and Custer — also have filed similar ac- industry and that their marketed products result of illegal activity, such as drugs be- The Beckham County Commissioners last tion with the law firm, she said. represent only a tiny fraction of the opioids week approved a resolution to authorize re- Beckham County Commissioner District 3 ing stolen or fraudulently obtained,” the AP used in Oklahoma. Johnson & Johnson says tention of attorneys and filing of litigation to Johnny Davis said commissioners took the that much of the nation's opioid crisis is the story stated. address the opioid epidemic. advice of Marsee in moving forward with Commissioners retained the law firm of Tisdal and O'Hara, with offices in Clinton the lawsuit. “She just recommended that we do this United Fund announces recipients and Edmond, to pursue opioid litigation, said so that we'd already have a seat at the table, By Don Munsch, Editor is considered administrative, in addition to Angela Marsee, District 2 district attorney. somebody representing us,” Davis said. The Elk City United Fund board last week uncollectible.] Marsee said she could not discuss the law- Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary released its award amounts to local organi- The fundraising campaign begins the first suit’s specifics, explaining doing so would Janssen Pharmaceuticals were sued by Okla- zations and charities. Friday after Labor Day and it usually lasts enter the realm of litigation strategy and is- homa Attorney General Mike Hunter, who Total amount allocated was $43,000, with until Thanksgiving. sues that commissioners talked about in the alleged that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen nine groups up for consideration and eight “It’s been difficult the last few years be- executive session. helped cause the opioid crisis with its overly receiving funds. Help Inc. received the larg- cause our economy has been down, but we “Tt is a separate and distinct lawsuit filed aggressive marketing measures, leading to est amount: $10,000. Total amount raised hope we can have some generous donations from the suit filed by the attorney general’s thousands of overdose deaths over the past was $47,300. “We always try to raise $47,300 because from individuals and businesses around to office, and it’s on behalf of Beckham Coun- decade in just Oklahoma itself, according to ty,” she said. an online story from NPR. An Associated we always add an extra 10 percent as un- help these worthwhile organizations,” Al- Once paperwork is filed by Tisdal and Press story said Hunter also alleged the mar- collectible,” said Mark Albert, chairman of bert said, noting they affect the whole com- O’Hara, then further information about the keting campaign was misleading. the board of the United Fund. Money for munity. lawsuit can be available to the public. Oth- The defendants in the case state they par- the fund comes from private entities and One agency was added this year: Court er counties in this judicial district - Roger _ ticipated in a “lawful and strictly regulated _ businesses. [Part of that money - $4,300 - See Fund page 2. Weather Vol. 117, No. 63 Mail delivery View online ‘ (OL OW » tomorrow 102 / 78 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com