May 16, 2020 Issue, Page 2 of 10

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Page 2 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, May 16, 2020 Finances Classes Garrison said. edu. He said Tuesday that the Students can also enroll district thinks it is “properly now for the 2020 fall semes- staffed” and that it has man- Continued from page 1. amined in a number of areas, ter that starts Aug. 17. aged to keep class sizes to a money does allow us to do such as busing, lunches and Continued from page 1. admitted to the university Summer office hours for comfortable number. so. We have already done enrollment as well as what ther the Weatherford or and have no holds on their the Weatherford Regis- “So the short answer is some minor improvements would happen if a child got account, the release stated. that we have not made a con- Sayre campuses, Moore trar’s office are 8 a.m. to 4 over the past few weeks but exposed to the coronavirus. said. Online enrollment is certed effort to saturate or Additional —_ information p-m. Monday through Fri- are waiting on to see how our “It’s a big darn deal,” Gar- also available through the is available by calling the cut staff or do away with any day. Summer office hours budget works out before we rison said about preparation, explaining the situation go- programs at this time going SWOSU website for stu- Weatherford office at 580- do any bigger ticket items.” dents who have completed at 774-3008 or 580- 774-3777 on the Sayre campus are 7 into next year,” he said in the Garrison told the board the ing forward requires guid- least 60 hours and the prior or the Sayre campus at 580- a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday email. “We anticipate our district will have to make ance from the board and dis- through Thursday. insurance will be going up semester at SWOSU. Stu- 928-5533. Students can also make some “really innova- trict leaders. dents must already be fully email enrollment@swosu. tive decisions” in the dis- He gave one example of considerably next year and trict’s technology program. the complexities of coping typically it takes about 3% ritt “T don’t think there’s any more than the previous year with the problem of COV- Merritt students were among way around it — we're go- ID-19. torun the school. So just by those everywhere who did ing to have to put devices “We can’t put out unreal- doing nothing typically our learning at home. Thomas in kids’ hands hands per- istic recommendations,” he cost of living increases. We didn’t like having to do dis- manently, and not just on a said. “To say that you 500 feel like we are going to pro- tance learning, but she un- check-out basis,” he said. kids or 600 kids in a building tect our carryover this year, derstood the need for it, even “At least probably from the and say we can only have 10 which will make managing Continued from page 1. ing,” she said. as she wished she could have fifth grade up. That’s a pretty in the commons area at one these situations a little easier Pitch team. She also was Thomas said if she sticks finished her senior year with good investment to do that.” time is not realistic.” than if we got into our carry- awarded All-Academic All with athletic training, then the usual events and activi- He thinks that next year, Garrison said he wants to over [for] several thousand State for softball this year. she wants to be a college ties that seniors participate because of health condi- make sure the district makes dollars. Honestly, we have Thomas, the daughter of trainer one day, but she said in. tions, classes might have to the right decisions. been very blessed so far and daughter of Steven and Ra- kinesiology also lets her ex- “That was definitely the be done at both home and “Our kids, their lives and chel Johnson and Jodi and pand into physical therapy hardest — not getting to play if things end up like we proj- campus, so the devices’ im- future is at stake that we ect we are in about as good Dayson Fox, plans to attend and occupational therapy my last season of softball,” portance will come into play. have to get this thing right,” as shape possible to go into the University of Central and gives her other options she said. “That was definite- Later in the meeting, dur- he said. Trustees’ guidance FY2I1 which looks to be a Oklahoma to study kine- as far as a career. ly the hardest part.” ing discussion about the and leadership figure into very difficult budget year.” siology. She is the grand- She said UCO has one of Thomas’ fondest memory Covid-19 Recovery & Sta- the mix. In other developments, the daughter of Jeff and Emily the best kinesiology pro- of high school was the bus bilizing Plan, Garrison said Also at the meeting, trust- board approved a request Johnson and Roy and Sonya grams in the state and some rides to and from softball planning is needed for the ees learned the district has from coaches to use district Judd. of the scholarships that she and football games. She next school year even as ed- 35 more students this year facilities to hold summer “In high school, I was the received from there became explained the camaraderie ucators complete the current than last year at this time. camps pending COVID-19 athletic trainer for our foot- her deciding factor in attend- being built on those rides is school year. The district has 2,179 stu- recommendations. | Those ball team for three years, ing the school. what made it special. “We can’t just wait till Au- dents. camps would be for boys and ever since then I knew As the school year “The deep conversations gust to think about that,” he “So we have to figure 35 and girls basketball, foot- wanted to be around sports, wrapped up and schools you get to have with your said, adding that preparation more kids into our funding ball, baseball, softball and so kinesiology lets me to get implemented distance learn- coaches on the one-hour bus and training need to be ex- formula, which is huge,” tennis. a master’s in athletic train- ing because of the pandemic, drive” stood out, she said. Outgoing health commissioner says “ many lives saved” By Nolan Clay, The Okla- would not confirm him. He on?” “T am excited and hopeful gree, not a master of science ficials, ... visiting Associate homan must leave later this month He said Tuesday, “It puts that the vision you have for degree or a doctoral degree Professor of Health Admin- In a farewell letter, outgo- when the Legislature ad- us in a bind. ... It just feels Oklahoma will continue to in public health or public istration and Policy at Hud- ing Health Commissioner journs its regular session. a little bit like politics that charge forward, even in my health administration. son College of Public Health Gary Cox wrote that he is absence,” Cox wrote. Senators said they also for 17 years, possession of a The governor appointed you're not going to confirm leaving the state Health De- Cox to the position in Sep- some guy that’s done a great The opposition to his con- had concerns after the at- doctorate level degree, Na- tional Institute for Public partment in a better posi- tember. In comments to re- job leading us through this, firmation was so great in the torney general asked for an Health trained and a proven tion than when he began last porters Monday and Tues- in the middle of a pandem- Senate that it wasn’t even investigative audit of the track record for delivering year. day, Stitt praised Cox and ic.” scheduled for a committee Health Department and af- on progressive and innova- “Many lives of Oklaho- criticized the Senate. In his letter, Cox outlined hearing. ter hearing complaints from tive public health strategies He fell out of favor at a employees there. mans have been saved with “It’s very disappointing,” his accomplishments over is deemed unqualified,” he the collective effort of all the governor said Monday. the last eight months and time when senators -- and “You just kind of pile all wrote. state representatives -- are at Oklahomans,” he wrote “Can’t say enough great what still needs to be done. that together and it became The governor said five or odds with the governor. really, really hard to confirm six people were interviewed Gov. Kevin Stitt in the letter He thanked the governor for things about the Health De- Senators said they had him,” Sen. Greg McCort- for the position and “we felt dated Monday. partment. And to not con-“your faith in me, my lead- concerns because Cox did ney, chairman of the Senate like Gary had the right expe- Cox, 73, is out as the top firm this person, I just want ership and the team that we not meet the legal require- Health and Human Services rience.” official at the Health Depart- Oklahomans to ask the ques- have built at the Oklahoma ments for the job. He is not Committee, said Saturday. Cox was in charge of the ment because state senators tion, ‘Why? What’s going State Department of Health.” a doctor and has a law de- In the farewell letter, Cox Oklahoma City-County addressed the Senate’s re- Health Department when Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects fusal to consider his con- firmation, calling it “even he was tapped to be health commissioner. Before that, stay-at-home order as patchwork of more unfortunate that the he was in charge of the Tul- timing of this is occurring in sa Health Department. the midst of a pandemic.” “He was a disrupter,” Stitt coronavirus rules grows in U.S. “I am disheartened and saddened that a leader with said. “And so really, what happened was he was dis- By Jaweed Kaleem, Los can go and what they can do it’s dangerous to fully re- mony to a Senate committee over 50 years of service rupting and changing some Angeles Times as different regions lift some open before there is wide- this week. Cities and states, to the state, recognized things and holding people The Wisconsin Supreme restrictions and clamp down spread testing and contract he said, may end up “turn- national leader in public accountable. Some of those Court on Wednesday struck on others. tracing. ing back the clock” if they health, former president of employees down there didn’t down the state’s stay-at- In New Jersey, residents “There is a real risk that relax restrictions too soon, the National Association for like it and you’ ve seen what home order, ruling that the can go to drive-in movies, you will trigger an outbreak causing more deaths and job County and City Health Of- happened.” governor’s administration church services and other that you may not be able to losses. overstepped its authority “gatherings of vehicles” control,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, The warnings haven't Ralph W. Shannon when it shut down schools starting Wednesday, and director of the National In- stopped dozens of states Ralph W. Shannon and nonessential businesses curbside retail will resume stitute of Allergy and Infec- from moving forward with July 15, 1942 - May 10, through the end of May to within days, the governor tious Diseases, said in testi- openings. 2020 slow the spread of the coro- announced. Ralph was born on July 15, navirus. The 5-4 decision by the conservative court, which In Louisiana, restaurants can open their doors over the weekend to a quarter of ElkCituNews 1942 in Pawhuska, OK to Jack P Shannon and Mary (Taylor) Shannon. called the order “invalid” their former capacity, with USPS # 173-020 He grew up in Elk City, OK and “unenforceable,” gives reservations-only dining in 580-225-3000 where he was active in most Democratic Gov. Tony New Orleans. sports. After high school, he Evers until May 20 to come But in northern Virginia, Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC joined the Army Reserve and up with an alternative plan the governor has put into 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 when he returned from active Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 with the Republican-con- place two more weeks of duty, he attended SWOSU. trolled state Legislature. stay-at-home rules as other POSTMASTER: Send adress changes to 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644 He worked several years for daughter, Rachael. He is also If there’s no agreement, it parts of the state reopen. Josh Umholtz Globe Life before beginning a survived by his long term could be left up to individual Across the Potomac in SUBSCRIPTIONS Publisher long career in sales, companion and best friend, counties to decide on their Washington, D.C., the may- Deliverd by mail: Don Munsch He was one of the top sales Carolyn Miss and his younger $75/yearly reps for American Magnet and brother, Dal Shannon of Okla- own rules. or is continuing restrictions ‘$50/six months Editor The ruling, a major win until at least June 8. No refunds on subscriptions. Brittany Howell will be dearly missed. homa City. for state Republicans who The disjointed rules come Classifieds He was preceded in death No memorial service is have pushed for reopenings, as the U.S. death toll from editor @ ecdailynews.com D’Ann Brasuell by his parents and his older planned due to the current adds to a growing national the COVID-19 pandemic sports @ ecdailynews.com Graphics Supervisor brother, Jack T Shannon. pandemic situation, Intern- ads @ ecdailynews.com Neva Pyatt He is survived by his daugh- ment will be at Fairlawn Cem- patchwork of regulations continues to grow, with classifieds@ ecdailynews.com ter, Kim McHenry and grand- etery in Elk City, OK. governing where residents health experts warning that Advertising