April 4, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekday Edition Beckham County reports first case of coronavirus cific communities in Kevin Stitt’s “Safer at Home” ex- Man with which the people who ecutive order that calls for non-es- have positive cases coronavirus live. All positive cases sential businesses in counties with COVID-19 cases to temporarily sus- not tested, are in isolation and the pend services until April 16. contact investigations On Sunday, Stitt issued a sixth treated at have started, the re- amendment to Executive Order (EO) lease stated. GPRMC “Oklahoma is expe- 2020-07 requiring travelers from six states to self-quarantine for 14 days, By Don Munsch, Editor riencing community with those states including New The Beckham County spread, therefore the York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Cal- man who tested positive health department en- ifornia, Louisiana and Washington. for COVID-19 was nei- courages all residents Stitt’s amended executive order ther tested by nor treated to assume there are at Great Plains Regional also requires delivery personnel to positive cases in your Medical Center, the hospi- submit to screenings when making community and to tal, based in Elk City, stated take all precautions as deliveries at hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities and daycares, the the CDC has promot- Signs on the door at Great Plains Regional Medical Center notify visi- ed: social distancing, release stated. ‘The Oklahoma State De- tors of changes made at the hospital, including rules for visitors. Staff thorough hand wash- The EO also protects health care partment of Health notified photo by Don Munsch. ing, and staying home workers and their families from dis- GPRMC of the confirmed if you are sick, over 65 crimination in housing or child care. case of COVID-19 in Stitt’s “Safer at Home” order in- Beckham County, the hos- The Oklahoma State Department ing to a release from the Southwest Years of age and/or have an under- cludes guidelines for all 77 counties pital said. of Health announced Monday that Oklahoma region office for the Okla- !ying health condition.,” the release until April 30, such as no gatherings Under the direction ofthe Beckham County had its first case of homa State Department ° of Health, “t#te4- Because of Beckham County of 10 or more people, and people 65 OSHD, this man was im- coronavirus. The Southwest region office stated positive case, it is now one of the and older and those with compro- pprctiately placorsin See GPRMCpage 2. A man in his 40s was described as in the release that the county health counties statewide that is required mised immune systems must shelter the person who was infected, accord- departments will not release the spe- to come into compliance with Gov. at home. School district leaders discuss steps to continue learning By Don Munsch, Editor devices on their own, Garrison said. Elk City Public Schools officials planned For the 25 percent of students who don’t Elk City to distributed Chromebooks by the end of have devices in their homes, the district has schools begin this past week — Friday — to students who endeavored to help them. A paper packet Left to right, Janelle Hutchinson, Linda needed them for distance learning. system has been established to deliver les- distance Hutchinson and Allison Robinson are mem- bers of Hutch’s Donations Committee. Photo Superintendent Rick Garrison said the dis- sons. For those who do not have internet at learning trict was “pleasantly surprised” that a survey home, they can access the internet at two of Monday by Manda Smith. revealed that about 75 percent of district the district campuses. The district just spent Hutch’s continues students already have a device at home or about $10,000 on Wi-Fi access outside mid- By Don Munsch, Editor access to a computer that will allow them to dle school gym and at the student parking Learning has changed engage in distance learning. lot of the high school,. Garrison said. So stu- to give back “So we’re down to about 25 percent, so that’s probably in between 400 or 500 kids dents can drop by the schools to pick up and download their work. in the last century or so, from instruction delivered in one-room schoolhouses for us,” he said. “We've got plenty of de- “T realize that’s a bit of a hardship, but By Manda Smith, Contributing writer vices to check out.” that’s probably not a bad way to do it and to lessons being taught in Hutch’s convenience stores provide everyday essen- People who check out the Chromebooks still give everybody access if they choose,” large school buildings with tials, but the company also gives back to the community have to sign an agreement that they are re- he said. multiple classrooms. And it serves. in contemporary times, sponsible for them and that if they get de- He said there will be some responsibility A family-owned business that was founded in 1969, stroyed, they are responsible for their cost to on the parent-student side of ensuring they schools haye evolyed to al- Hutch’s has locations throughout Western Oklahoma and replace. are meeting requirements in this environ- low people to learn at home one location in Liberal, Kansas. David and Linda Hutchin- “Each building has made plans on how ment to make learning successful. on the computer. son are at the helm of the company that has grown to con- they want to do that and how they want to The district has “great leaders in our build- Because of the coronavi- sist of 15 convenience stores and truck stops, along with check those out,” Garrison said about distri- ing. Our principals have really stepped up,” tus spread, Elk City Public providing bobtail and transport fuel deliveries. In 2012, bution. Garrison said, adding that teachers have also Schools, like other school the company opened its first Huddle House Restaurant in Students 18 and older could check out the See Distance page 2. districts in Oklahoma Elk City. Hutch’s corporate office is in Elk City. now, will implement dis- For nine years, David and Linda have joined with their customers and employees to support their local Salvation Statewide filing starts Wednesday tance learning for students. Distance learning begins Army chapters. People seeking office in Beckham County Candidate packets can be picked up in per- Monday, with students do- “We have a donation committee that meets once or should be aware of rules on filing because of son and are available by calling the County ing lessons at their homes. twice a month, and we wanted a cause,” Linda Hutchin- the effects of coronavirus. Election Board office, Manning said. The This format of learning will son said. “The Salvation Army encompasses many dif- Statewide candidate filing period begins at packet will be carried outside the County last until of the end of the ferent causes, [and] that kind of satisfied all of us. It’s academic year, which ends 8 a.m. Wednesday, said Sherron Manning, Election Board office to the individual. Fil- something that gets our employees involved, too; they get secretary of the Beckham County Election ing packets are also available on the State May 8. excited about it.” Board, ina release. Election Board’s website. Robin Coffman, cur- The red Salvation Army donation buckets get put out at riculum director for Elk “Since the Courthouse is open with re- Filing will be from 8 am. to 5 p.m. on all Hutch’s convenience stores on Thanksgiving Day and stricted access, we will only be accepting Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The City Public Schools, said stay out through the end of the year. Hutch’s customers candidate’s paperwork and filing fees one deadline for filing as a candidate is 5 p.m. all teachers will be using a can donate change, cash or their “cash value coupons” person at a time to follow social distancing April 10, with no exceptions. Google platform. earned through Hutch’s Loyalty Rewards Program. guidelines,” she said. “If you would like to Candidates for state offices file with the “Tf a student has internet “We started out saying we would just match the re- access and a device, then make an appointment to ensure you are not Secretary of the State Election Board in Sraiels conipors that were donsted; ie ee ee waiting, please call the Election Board Of- Oklahoma City. Candidates for county they a See 2 Lieilaildi tai Se See Filing page 2. PATE AC ID Weather Vol. 118, No. 25 Mail delivery View online «IL ON tomorrow 66 / 55 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com