December 20, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 22

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a Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901... Friday, December 20, 2019 Weekend Edition New board member Organization wants to learn about offers free dinner district’s operations = By Don Munsch, Editor on Christmas Melanie Randle wants to the dinner will be served from 5-6 p.m. The dinner will be learn more about Elk City family friendly. No alcohol will be served. Public Schools. This marks the first time LCF will do the free dinner, said She will receive a fairly Liberty McArthur, LCF founder and executive director. strong look at the inner work- LCF sought sponsorship for the food. ings of the district now that “We talked to different businesses and individuals and she will be a board member. families and they sponsored tables,” McArthur said. “The Randle was appointed to the tables were $50 apiece if you wanted to do your decorations board last week, taking over on the table or $100 apiece, and we went and bought all the the vacant Seat 3 spot previ- Bailey Krajnik has volunteered to help The decorations and we’re doing centerpieces. And then we also ously held by Jim Blevins, LIFE Community Foundation with its Com- had some bigger donors that are sponsoring to help pay for who left the board in No- munity Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day in vember after making a move the food.” Melanie Randle Elk City. She worked on centerpieces for the The LIFE Community Foundation is a nonprofit in Elk out of district boundaries. “T just felt that it would be event, held at the Elk City Convention Center. City that provides advocacy and case management services good to get in and see how things work in the school system, Facebook photo used with permission. to the homeless and those at risk of being homeless. McAr- and also just maybe add some practical knowledge to being thur said her organization is expecting around 200 people at By Don Munsch, Editor the dinner, Party favors will be given to everyone. a part of the board because I’m not a business owner, but I think it’s good to have somebody in there to share some The LIFE Community Foundation will have a free Christ- “Santa is going to give the kids small stockings with some practical judgment on things,” she said. “I’m really inter- mas Day dinner Wednesday at the Elk City Convention Cen- stuff in it,” McArthur said. “As you leave, everyone who ested in how things work within a school system.” ter. didn’t see Santa will get an adult-type stocking.” Randle has lived in Elk City for 34 years, living in Okla- The dinner consists of the traditional American meal of Every adult stocking will have a $10 gift card to some- homa City for about seven years before that. turkey, ham and vegetables and desserts associated with the where in town and some other goodies. Some bakers are “My dad was in the Air Force, so I think the long as I’ve Christmas Day meal. Santa Claus — before heading back to placing some food in the stockings. been anywhere was probably Tennessee,” she said, noting the North Pole — will meet with children from 4-6 p.m. and ‘See Dinner page 2. she finished school in Chattanooga, where she attended high Lucas: Nation, Oklahomans deserve school and community college. Her father had retired by the time she moved to Elk City. Randle has done a variety ofjobs, with the last work being “T’ve done home health, too. We've gone from the spec- better than Trump impeachment home day care. trum of kids to the elderly,” she said, laughing. She has a son in high school, Darius, a senior at Elk City By Don Munsch, Editor Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton being the others. See Board member page 2. WASHINGTON, D.C. — The office of U.S. Rep. Frank The House vote came along party lines and the case will Lucas, who represents the 3rd District of Oklahoma, sent be sent to the Senate for a trial. No date has been set. The a news release that included Lucas’ statement Wednesday House vote was 230-197 on abuse of power and 229-198 on Former prosecutor night after the U.S. House of Representatives impeached obstruction of Congress. President Donald J. Trump. “Today is a sad day for us all - the American people and running for Oklahoma Lucas voted “No” on both articles of impeachment. Those articles were abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, the institution that is the U.S. House of Representatives,” Lucas said in his statement. “For the third time in history, the State House stemming from Trump’s dealings with Ukraine and alleged solicitation of foreign interference in the 2020 election. House of Representatives has impeached a sitting president. “As I have said before, the strength of our democracy Trump became the third president to be impeached, with ‘See Impeachment page 2. United Fund honors past contributors United Fund honored three people Monday for their contributions to the community. Pictured here are, front row, Steve Mor- ris, Lindy McConnell and Clay Blackwell. Standing are, front row, board mem- bers Dana Morris (wife of Steve Morris), Juanita = Wham, David Atkinson, Mark Albert, Jacque Albert and Mandy Wilson. Stand- ing back are Purcy Walker, -' Pam Osterloh, Roy Gar- A hay ahs iE: % fw 2 rison, Vicki Chambers, Juan Garcia poses with his wife September Jerry Thompson, Anita and their three children: Carys, left [bottom], Archer and Terry Archer. Danica, center, and Maya, right. Photo submit- Staff photo by Don Munsch. ted by Juan Garcia.. Former assistant district attorney Juan Garcia of Clinton By Don Munsch, Editor United Fund board officials in Elk City honored longtime Hometown Tidings has announced his intentions to run for the Oklahoma State contributors Monday at Great Plans Bank in Elk City. Be sure to look at our “Hometown Tidings” special in House of Representatives in District 57 (Custer, Beckham, Marilyn Morris, Nita Blackwell and Lindy McConnell today’s edition. This special features recipes, a local fire Blaine, Caddo and Canadian counties). were honored, Clay Blackwell accepted a plaque for Nita, department story, santa letters and more! He will run as a Democrat. Harold Wright, a Republican, his wife, who died in 2018. Steve Morris accepted a plaque We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their sup- js the current representative from District 57. for his mother, who also died in 2018. port in making this possible. , “As the son of immigrants who became U.S. citizens, my “As long as I can ever remember, Marilyn was on the Rib Crib, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Thru story is literally made in America. I was born, educated, and United Fund, and she always quietly went about her way Tubing Solutions, Fred’s Steakhouse and Saloon, North- now raise my own family in western Oklahoma,” Garcia and did her job,” said Mark Albert, chairman of the board fork Electric Cooperative, Haines Wrecker, ACE Hard- said in a news release. for the United Fund, in a conference room with honorees. ware, Carter Electric, Farmers Union Co-Op Gin, Dr. Lisa 1 Garcia said he comes from from a “meager upbringing” Albert also praised Blackwell for her work in the United Walker, Troy Jones Equipment, Great Plains Bank, Gal- nd said he thinks believes his work ethic sets him apart Fund; she was especially involved in Meals on Wheels. He leria Furniture and Mattress Outlet, Elk City RV Sales, from the average political candidate. personally told McConnell the United Fund would miss her Sonic, Western Technology Center, KTS Auto Glass, Dj’s 5 See Garcia page 2. See United Fund page 2. Rentals, Tyson Trout Agency, and Lugreg Trucking. NE > LUeta Weather Vol. 117, No. 102 Mail delivery View online tomorrow 51 / 75 cents, 22 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com