December 23, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 26

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y Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Elk City junior high students donate food to Help Inc. Courtesy photos. By Shonda Little countless Elk Citians jumped into action. “Our wonderful people stepped up and God took care of us ten- At the end of last week, Help Inc. volunteer Joanna Wood walked. fold,” she explained. “We had people showing up with donations of into the local charity housed inside the old National Guard Armory food, others coming in with checks. There were even challenges that too stunned initially to process what she was seeing. went out on Facebook. For example, David Dyson donated and chal- “Joanna said she walked in at first and could see something was lenged other community leaders. They all also answered the call. Be- off, but couldn't put her finger on it,” said fellow volunteer Cheeri fore we knew it, we had what we lost and then some.” Anthes. “It was like it was too much to understand for a second. Anthes, a native of Kingsville, Texas, and her family moved to ‘Thenit hit her and she could see our freezer doors were open almost Elk City from Malaysia when her husband's oilfield job transferred all the meat was gone.” them to western Oklahoma. ‘The organization is responsible for feeding hundreds of needy “Malaysia was wonderful and our kids learned a lot living there in western Oklahoma families weekly, so the loss was devastating to their early years, but nothing compares to Elk City. My husband and there, she was able to focus her time completely with Help Inc. full- say the least. I always tell people back home that we live in the greatest commu- time. “Joanna and I are here six days a week sometimes between the two “Lam sad to announce that the food pantry was robbed. Someone nity in the world and this goes to prove that. The kids grew up, went of us. We are both here five days a week and at least one of us comes broke in and took almost all the meat from our freezer shelves,” the to school and graduated from here. Then the grandkids came. This See Donations page 2. ‘group posted to their Facebook. is our home and we wouldn't pick anywhere else,” Anthes gushed. However, the despair was short-lived. Anthes first volunteered for Help Inc. in 2008 while also working Anthes said as soon as the community learned of the tragedy, full-time as the Methodist Church’s secretary. After retiring from Elk City Commission names ECPD Officer and Breaking ground for WOCS gym Dispatcher of the Year Municipal elections to be held in April By Shonda Little ‘The Elk City Commission started their final scheduled meeting of the year by announcing the Elk City Police Department's Officer of the Year and Communications Officer of the Year. ECPD Chief Eddie Holland explained that the two officers had been selected by a vote of their peers. Corporal John Currid was named ECPD Officer of the Year and Communications Officer Wendi Grinder was awarded Communi- cations Officer of the Year. ‘The commission then began their meeting with a prayer offered by Commissioner Jeff Jackson who gave special reference for the moisture the community has recently been receiving. Minutes from the month's first meeting were approved before sera the commissioners addressed the agenda. ‘The commission then approved a resolution calling for a non- Einbiy‘Thomas, Friendsof Christian Education Board; Kyle Zybach, ‘Briends of Christian Educa- partisan general election held for the ward 2 and ward 3 commis- tion Board; DJ DeLeon, Western Oklahoma Christian School Board, Dora Miller, Principal of all 3 sioners as well as mayor. Western Oklahoma Christian School campuses; Brett Russell, Western Oklahoma Christian School On agenda item #2, the commission disclosed an ordinance that Board; Megan Thomas, Western Oklahoma Christian School Elk City Campus Principal; and John would close the north portion of 13th Street to the public, Thomas Western Oklahoma Christian School Board and Friend’s of Christian Education Board. City Manager Tom Ivester explained this was related to the re- cent auction sale the Gathering Place located on S. Main Street. Courtesy of Shona Zybach. See Commission page 2. ‘The Western Oklahoma Christian School in Elk City is celebrating their tenth year with a groundbreaking for their new gym. The gym is a much needed and anticipated phase for the campus. Absentee ballot request form available for 2021 It will not just be a gymnasium, but also a place for morning cha- pel, indoor recess and PE when Oklahoma weather is incooperative, Voters interested in voting by absentee ballot during the 2021 Voters with questions should contact the Beckham County Elec- and a host for music programs and graduations. election year, can request absentee ballots now using the State Elec- tion Board at 928-3314 or [email protected]. The ‘The Western Oklahoma Christian School has many people to tion Board’s online OK Voter Portal or download and print an appli- Beckham County Election Board is located at 306 E. Main St, Sayre. thank for making this project possible such as Jeff Jackson, JAMAC, cation from the State Election Board website. Applications are also Office hours are M-E, 8:00 am-2:00 pm. Great Plains Bank and Andarko Dozer. available at the Beckham County Election Board and can be emailed, Please visit the following sites for more information: ‘The campus is excited for this addition and asking those that are faxed, or mailed to the County Election Board. OK Voter Portal: https://okvoterportal.okelections.us/ making their end of year donations, to please prayerfully consider Voters can request ballots for a single election or all elections in State Election Board Website: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/voter- this project. Any financial support is appreciated, but also prayers as which they are eligible to vote during the election year. Interested info/absentee-voting html they continue to follow the vision for Christian Education in west- voters will need to submit a new request for the 2021 election year. County Election Board Directory: hetps://oklahoma.gov/elections/ ern Oklahoma. If you have any questions, regarding donations, con- ‘The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the January 12 about-us/county-election-boards.html tact Kyle Zybach 580-225-1883 or enrollment please contact Megan election is 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2021, The list of elections is List of Elections: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/support/electionlist. ‘Thomas at the school office (580) 303-4922. available on the State Election website. heml Vol. 118, No. 103 «UU Ut Weather tomorrow /29 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com