October 3, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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< Aw ©. oof m™ « yy Serving 4 ; Western Oklahoma x“ee Since 1901 Weekend Edition Commission to discuss signs Beckham records at Monday meeting two more deaths By Don Munsch, Editor Political signs posted in People posting signs must adhere to seven restrictions, why the ordinance wouldn’t allow signs prior to 30 days lation of the city code. “The city is not sending from COVID-19 yards are ubiquitous every election season. with one of these being that the political signs can’t be before the election. “They don’t have intent or out any more letters and City departments can there have been no citations They are no exception in displayed prior to 30 days reasoning with these ordi- issued,” Ivester said. establish rules for masks Elk City, but an ordinance before an election, Ivester nances, and I don’t the his- on the books does not allow said, reading from the or- tory of it, so I don’t know,” The ordinance has some By Don Munsch, Editor them to be legally posted dinance. Some of the other he said. constitutional issues, Ivester State and local health authorities announced two new earlier than 30 days until restrictions include post- The political sign ordi- said. Commissioners on deaths from the coronavirus in Beckham County this election day. ing signs in right-of-ways nance — enacted in 1994 — is week. Monday can discuss the or- City Manager Tom Ivester and posting them on private included in a section about Both victims were male, with one in the 65-plus age dinance and decide whether said the subject of signs be- property without permission signs, including their defi- group and one in the 50-64 age group. One man lived in to revise, revisit, study, re- Elk City and the other lived in Sayre. ing posted before the al- of the owner. Another stipu- nition, classifications, gen- lowed time will be discussed lation is that signs need to eral regulations and types. place or eliminate it. No ex- Numbers of new COVID-19 cases in Beckham County by the city commission at its removed 72 hours after polls The city inspector’s office ecutive session will be held have risen dramatically in the last couple of weeks, with meeting Monday. The meet- closed. sent out nine letters advising about the matter, Ivester overall cases moving from 200 overall in mid-September ing starts at 7 p.m. Ivester said he didn’t know people that they were in vio- said. to more than 560 by the end of the month. As of press time Thursday, there are more than 300 active cases in the county. The first death of a Beckham County resident oc- curred in July. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rec- ommended Americans wear masks to slow and stop the spread of the coronavirus. TheCDC also recommends fre- quent hand washing and social distancing. Elk City Mayor Nick Archer said about two months ago that he was not in favor of the city having mandatory mask wearing. Others on the city commission who answered an inquiry from The News had similar views. Elk City City Manager Tom Ivester said Tuesday that he will allow de- partment heads in the city to decide whether they want to require their employees who work extensively with the public to wear masks. “Because it is case specific,” Ivester said. Some departments have employees who have regular interaction with the public, while others don’t. “The police department has their own take on things, and the chief handles those,” Ivester said. Masks for officers at the Elk City Police Department are Elk City Homecoming was Friday night. Ho! mecoming King and Queen candidates for 2020 still discretionary at this time, said Elk City police Chief at Elk City High School are, from left at top, Carlie McKinnon, Jackson Easttom, Mattie Eddie Holland. Thompson, Felix Gonzales, Matti Jones and Bubba Brownfield. “Tf they feel they are in a situation where personal space Class escorts are Daylan Thompson and Hannah White, juniors, middle left; Cooper Patton and close contact is evident, they will wear a protective and Jacky Sanchez, sophomores, middle right; Hunter Anderson and Alex Cupp, freshmen, front row left; Abigail Brown and Catch Geno, eighth-graders, front row middle; and Kenedee mask,” Holland said in an email. “If they are summoned Wyatt and Jeremiah Jackson, seventh-graders, front row right. See Masks page 2. Staff photos by Don Munsch. ime Profiles of King and Queen candidates Matti Jones band, FCA, NHS, Interact, After graduation, I plan on and Jessica Gonzales Activities: Cross-country, Key Club and student coun- attending the University of Jackson Easttom track, soccer, basketball, cil. Central Oklahoma and get- Activities: Football choir, FCA and Key Club. Post-high school plans: ting my Bachelor’s degree Post-high school plans: Post-high school plans: I plan to attend Oklahoma in marketing. Go to school and become the After high school, I plan State University and major Parents: Levi and Corrie President. on attending Southwestern in business. Richardson Parents: Johnny Easttom Josh Torres with Gary A. Crain Inc. of Prague Oklahoma State University Parents: David and Wanda Felix Gonzales and Karla Easttom paints a stone brick on the wall Wednesday and major in kinesiology. Thompson Activities: Football, wres- Bubba Brownfield on the Oklahoma Highway 6 bridge over Parents: Joe and Tambra Carlie McKinnon tling and weightlifting Activities: Football Interstate 40 in Elk City. The roadway is a Jones Activities: ECHS band Post-high school plans: Post-high school plans: diverging diamond interchange, the first in Mattie Thompson [drum major], ECHS choir, Working on the pipeline and Go to school and then start the state. Final touches on the roadway will Activities: I play golf and student council, Interact, becoming the Vice Presi- my career in welding. continue, including lights for the bridge’s four Tam a football trainer. I am Key Club, NHS and FCA. dent. Parents: Ashley and Moni- oil derricks. Staff photo by Don Munsch. also also a member of the Post-high school plans: Parents: Leno Gonzales ca Brownfield Vol. 118, No. 80 Mail delivery View online Weather tomorrow 90 / 62 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com