August 15, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition Elk City assistant football coach Dee Wilhelm, center shot, watches as freshman Andrew Muse, left, and sophomore Logan Trevino do a drill in a practice Monday afternoon at the Elk City practice field. Monday was the beginning of fall practices for football. Left, junior Corey Culver, does a drill while his teammates watch, and right, junior running back Day Day Thompson looks for a hole in the defense. Staff photos by Don Munsch. Superintendent talks about reopening campuses during pandemic LaShona Watkins and daughter LaBaiia, third By Don Munsch, Editor start of classes on campuses and the work educators have grade, and Breianna Wasilchen and brother Elk City Public Schools students returned to class Thurs- to do to ensure the safety of children. He said while teachers Fernando Maldonado, second grade, stop day after the summer break and the time spent away from are up to the task in doing their jobs, he said teachers are all for a few moments before entering Elk City campuses since schools shut down in March. Five months scared and he said he is scared, too. But he said educators Elementary Thursday for the first day of classes. Staff photos by Don Munsch. have transpired since students last stepped foot in a building have to try to see how everything goes and that children have for classes. to see courage and faith in the adults who lead them. And the return could be a tenuous one, as Elk City Super- intendent Rick Garrison told the Elk City school board Mon- “T think they’re excited but very anxious and we all are,” Garrison said about teachers. “We have a couple of teachers Parade to be held day at its monthly meeting. He said if three or four teachers on a campus have to quarantine because of the coronavirus, that are in quarantine and we have a couple of kids that are in quarantine. You can only sustain that for so long before you during rodeo then the campus could not operate. have to say we’re going to have to go to distance learning.” “You can cover so much,” he said, adding that the district He said the district is trying to navigate the reality of the County fair to include has “got some really dedicated teachers that are working re- pandemic the best it can. Garrison appreciates the confi- ally hard” to make classes on campus happen. dence trustees have in him. just livestock show Board member Melanie Randle said she is rooting hard Also at the meeting, Garrison discussed financial informa- for children and staffers to be in buildings as the school year tion with the board. By Don Munsch, Editor opens. “If this plays out like we think it’s going to play out, we're The Elk City Rodeo of Champions will feature a rodeo Garrison spoke near the end of the meeting about the re- See Campus page 2. and parade this year, with the parade being approved by the rodeo board Tuesday, Lucas discusses views on stimulus package Although the annual event always includes a rodeo and parade, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown a monkey wrench into the scheduling of many activities this year - lo- By Don Munsch, Editor intact for several more months, until the end of the year, If people are hoping for another stimulus check or addi- reports said. That money comes above and beyond what cally, statewide and nationally. The rodeo will be held at 8 tional unemployment from the government, they might have the state provides a week. Republicans say the amount of p.m. Sept. 4, 5 and 6 at the Beutler Bros. Arena in Elk City. to wait a little while longer — if they get any help at all. money - $600 a week - is too high and is essentially a dis- The parade will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 5. Negotiators from both sides of the aisle - Democratic incentive to work, although some analysts say there just are Larry McConnell, president of the rodeo board, said last congressional leaders and representatives from President not enough jobs to around now, as the country copes with week that as far as whether social distancing would be man- Trump’s team — hit an impasse in the last few weeks, with double-digit unemployment. Republicans wanted a weekly datory at the rodeo, organizers won’t require that unless state no agreement in sight. Federal unemployment assistance amount of $200, but the White House was willing to go or city officials implement restrictions. Masks are an option ended at the end of July, and that aspect of the negotiations higher, to $400 a week, although states would have to fund for rodeo-goers. — full renewal of the insurance — has been a large point of a quarter of that amount, reports said. The Washington Post There will be no concerts this year. For more information disagreement between Republicans and Democrats during reports more than 31 million Americans received unemploy- on the rodeo, access https://www.elkcityrodeo.com. their discussions. ment aid from the government in July. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beckham Coun- Democrats want the $600 a week assistance to remain See Stimulus page 2. ty Fair Board has decided to only have the livestock show this year. All other fair related events and activities have Hammon man receives life sentence for murder been canceled, according to a news release from the Beck- OKLAHOMA CITY - A Hammon man was sentenced to A five-count indictment unsealed on April 6, 2018, ham County Extension Office. Any items that 4-H’ers have serve life in federal prison Monday by U.S. District Court charged Bullcoming with crimes he committed on Sept. 6, made for this year’s fair may be entered in the 2021 county Judge Charles B. Goodwin for the first-degree felony mur- 2017: first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree felony fair. der in Indian Country and related offenses, said U.S. Attor- murder, carjacking resulting in death, kidnapping resulting “Safety is the fair board’s first concern,” the release stated. ney Timothy J. Downing. in death, and arson, the release stated. The indictment stated The livestock show will begin at 8 a.m. Sep. 12, with In addition, Tommy Dean Bullcoming, 56,was ordered to he “used force, violence, and intimidation to intentionally the livestock to be released at the conclusion of individual pay $17,613 in restitution for damage to the victim’s home take a Lexus RX300” from an Indian woman and that this shows: swine, 8 a.m.; sheep and goat, 10 a.m.; judge poultry, and vehicle as well as funeral expenses, a news release stat- resulted in death. It further alleged he killed the victim “by 10 a.m.; and cattle, noon. ed. See Murder page 2. Vol. 118, No. 69 Weather tomorrow 91/ 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com