April 28, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 16

Page Text

Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Weekend Edition Elk City holds second April Beckham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating of a commissioners meeting the 2019-20 fiscal year. $17.2 million figure is with in Erick five months ago and that the child’s information Record winter storm resulted in water bill spikes, was put into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons commissioners learned were not released by our office - regarding a NAMUS entry By Shonda Little Each agenda item was ap- Chief Holland explained Kaufman reportedly came proved 5-0 with no dissenting that, through Carter Chev- in significantly below the next As Elk City Commission- votes. The rolet, thedistrict could not department wouldfind highest bidder. ers gathered for their second The meeting began at 2 have a “turn-key” vehicle. Ivester also explained that regularly scheduled meeting in p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, The dealership can install the they could have the trailer April, two new faces adorned in the Elk City Commission extensive equipment needed available in 12 weeks, and the dais. Chambers at City Hall. for a police vehicle included in the competitors had quoted a After being sworn in ear- Mayor Nick Archer started the price. much longer delay. lier in the month, new com- the meeting with the prayer. Commissioner Andresen The commission approved Department of Human Services officials are working with the fiscal Rod missioners yearCarver ended. He and Commissioner Rick Shelton asked if this would be the “to- the item. Rocky Andresen were present then lead the flag salute. tal package” and was told that Commissioners then voted for their first official meet- As standard, the commis- it would be. toHunt, payroll/insurance to the ing. Theycurrent replace fiscal year, but sioner first considered the long-serving commissioners Jeff Jackson minutes from the April 5 and Agenda item #2 considered a bid received from Kaufman approve the purchase of two 30-year roll-offs for the amount of $12,470, a bud- Oklahoma State 48 years, with 40 of and Larry Muck, respectively. April 12 meetings. continues, and aThe com- final Trailers for a new equipment geted item. The two most significant items that the commissioners missioners quickly approved the minutes. trailer for the street depart- ment for $58,450, a budgeted Commissioners quickly ap- proved this item. Representative says learned was that the historic Elk City Police Chief Eddie item. On agenda item #4, com- winter storm that struck most Holland spoke to the commis- of the American South and Midwest created a massive in- sion regarding the first agenda item, which was considering The commission approved the item. City Manager Tom Ivester missioners were asked to consider pursuing SCADA Elk City redistricting equipment for the water plant Later on Tuesday on the sheriff’s office FB page, Manning crease in water bills for a small purchasing a 2020 Tahoe Po- but significant percentage of Elk City customers and that lice Package from Carter Chev- rolet of Yukon for $53,152, a explained that this trailer would be used to move some of the street equipment, which to replace defective equip- ment. A budgeted item, this is bittersweet said sheriff’s officials had found documents that confirmed tax revenues were down. budgeted item. is why it was so expensive. See Commission page 2. By Shonda Little flawless, and that doesn’t District 57 Oklahoma State House Representative Anthony SWOSU students Moore (R-Clinton) has had a busy freshmen session. In Novem- ber, he bested fellow Clinton native Juan Garcia for the seat that win awards from ton – 1978, 1982 and 1984 – and one state long-time Representative Harold Wright had vacated. satisfiedhad Wright that theterm-limited been circumstances through out of which he the position. Withcame an to emp- ty seat up for grabs, Moore, his wife Rachel, their three children, Business and been a coach for 48 years – a head football and a litany of volunteer supporters poured themselves whole- heartedly into the election. coach for 40 years – and has an overall re In the heat of the campaign, he tried his best to knock on as Technology School cord of 307-147 and a playoff record of 44- many doors as he could within District 57, which contains Beck- ham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, and his native Custer Counties. 24. He played football at Oklahoma State. “Our strength is going to increase dramati Although most of Beckham County is represented by District 55 Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s cally,” he said. “The [players’] confidence in Representative Todd Russ, a hodgepodge portion of Elk City was Everett Dobson School of Business & Technology sliced off into Moore’s district. recently held its annual honors reception on the Now, as the census numbers are tallied, and the State House em- Weatherford campus to recognize outstanding stu- barks upon its once-a-decade redistricting, Moore says he is fulfill- ing a campaign promise to his Elk City constituents. dents in the school. Among the students winning Ironically, that pledge comes with the result of him ultimately awards were (from left): Casady Church, Elk City, during an interview in the athletic office at Officials losing them as in Beckham County have cut nearly $1 million constituents. Dr. W.W. Ward & Elsie Ward Memorial Scholarship; fromknow, “You their estimated it’s pretty budget this year, bittersweet,” Moorewith the final sighed. “When I Ricky Ramirez, Sayre, Dr. W.W. Ward & Elsie Ward approval turned 16 and ofgot themy 2019-20 fiscal first car, Elk year City wasbudget coming the first in that place the Memorial Scholarship; Jacie Piercy, Sayre, Dr. W.W. I drove. I have a lot of friends in Elk City. I grew up competing Ward & Elsie Ward Memorial Scholarship. against Elk City in golf in high school and will say that school pro- duces some of the best golfers around. I love your golf course. I the2019-20 have budget friendsisall search onover Elktheir at to find City an weekly and offensive meetingby the wascoordi honored Monday. supportTheI re- fina ceivedTheout accident Occurred of there. But, when Ijust wasafter 6 p.m. in a hay field 3 out knocking on doors during Elk City man charged with felony theover to thethe campaign, Cain57’s residents, state tried to by the number repair is constituents, onefirst thing something October. of that I that they under heard from the Elk City wanted his Elk united again into one district. It was the number one thing I heard 1986 Ford City F350 to be re- assault with a dangerous weapon His starting date is the first Monday after by aexcise Hartman, to me so Beckham board long shot. gives I love representation, but I felt like I should honor what was expressed Beckham by the oftenCounty ElktheCityfinal County people Sheriff’s approval and hate there. Clerk. I Office, losingand toldCarter thatsigns those Fire, area off peopleElkthat on it within my if they City Fire, our first phase of the CAPS wouldCounty honor me officials said in with their vote,April thatdo my I would changes bestintothe budget get them By Shonda Little at the intersection of Boone and Newtown. into a unified Elk City district — even if that meant that I would When the reporting officer arrived, he observed the second officer lose them as future constituents. This was an issue that was kind A 50-year-old Elk City man has walking DeLaCruz to his patrol vehicle. tion of schemethan different for theyouElk offense.face. normally On the It isdeimportant that we listen been released from the Beckham The suspect was detained until the officers could determine what to our voters so we can continue to earn their votes. In listening County Detention Center after had happened. to the people of Elk City, I was essentially moving to make them being charged with assault and Dispatch also informed the officer that the female was on her way The my no longer county voters.cutBut, it $998,696was thefrom itsthing right budget, to doHartman because theysaid battery with a dangerous weap- to the Elk City Police Department. were clear in their wish to be united.” on and domestic abuse. The officer arrived at the ECPD and met with the alleged victim as Though the new district lines aren’t completely final yet, thanks At approximately 10:50 a.m. well as another female. Both women were said to be in the SUV that department in part to Moore,orElk every official City is gives slated to havetheir thatestimate of what long-desired re- on April 19, the Elk City Police DeLaCruz had allegedly chased. they’re needing for the year,” Hartman said. “The excise unification. Department was called to a mo- The officer asked them to explain their side of the events. In the meantime, Moore will pick up Canute, Foss, and parts of tel on the 2600 block of East The second female stated that DeLaCruz had been at her resi- Okarche. could stay on the floor the Highway 66 in Elk City. dence “trying to kick her door in all night.” “I’m attending an event this week at Eischen’s in Okarche. So The call for services was in The other female, reported to be DeLaCruz’s wife, said they had now I am going to have that and Friends in my district. That has reference to removing a subject been fighting for three days. me squared up to enjoy some of the best chicken in the country a.m. with Hot Hash and from the property. The alleged victim had asked the woman to come pick her up from while“We don’t meeting know those with constituents. figures Thereyet,” are she worsesaid. “We’re things for kind a law- Daniel DeLaCru While en route, the ECPD dis- the motel. She believed that DeLaCruz had followed the woman. maker,” Moore laughed. patchers notified the officer that When the two women left, DeLaCruz reportedly began chasing Regardless of how the districts are officially drawn, Moore ac- a man was threatening a hotel guest. them. year knowledges before thatand current electing year for a Democrat figures and 55 District help the county doesn’t seem The man was identified as Daniel DeLaCruz. Through the course of the chase, DeLaCruz allegedly ran into the likely. The district’s current representative, Todd Russ, will be While responding, dispatch advised that DeLaCruz had left the alleged victim’s vehicle. “But we’ve term-limited made in 2022, 20 percent leaving the seatcuts; widesome open. offices motel and was allegedly chasing the female in a vehicle. The alleged victim reportedly said, “he’s been beating on me,” and However, regardless of the electoral disadvantage Democrats “They were heading into town,” the officer wrote. reportedly left bruising. have in western Oklahoma, Moore says that he feels that he was A fire that Dispatch burned advised the that the Teamwere vehicles Chip Tae a tan Kwon SUV and a gray SUV. The officer noted that the woman had a large bruise on her arm. get to elected those final all represent figureshis from them, it’seven constituents— kind of thosewait he and doesn’t Do building Upon Tuesday arrival, dispatch afternoon informed in the the officer that1400 they were cur- She claimed that the suspect had punched her in the arm. always see politically eye-to-eye with on every platform issue. rently on the phone with the female half of the dispute, who alleged The officer then contacted the second officer, who a definite datewas stillthe set for detain- Commissioners “I didn’t run just togave theironly represent finalRepublicans,” approval forMoore the figures said. DeLaCruz had just struck her vehicle. ing DeLaCruz. “I don’t even look at the party registration for the voters who call She gave their current location near the cemeteries on North The officer noted DeLaCruz had damage to the front of his vehicle and email my office. There are some, just because we live in a small fire chief for the Elk City Fire Department. No first weekend in November. Washington. that was consistent with the damage to the back of the alleged vic- place, that I know are Democrats. That does not make me not injuries The occurred. officer drove towardTwo that people direction.in the build tim’s vehicle. wantthere, at least to work one or for them account look into in whatever there,” Hartman issue theysaid. are calling ing A escaped short time unharmed. later, a The second officer mainhepart advised had of the the sus- located The alleged victim claimed she got a motel room to flee DeLa- about. Of course, there are some issues and principles that I will firevehicle pect’s occurred and in headedthewest hotonwater Countryheater area. Club and then south on Cruz’s alleged abuse. Hartman could not provide an exact figure. The public 75 children this year. That figure was up from 40 last year. $12,130. See Moore page 2. Boone. The insurance company also is investigating. The second officer was able to successfully get DeLaCruz stopped See Assault page 2. Weather Vol. Vol. 117,119, No.No. 54 34 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 70 / 48 99/70 75 cents, 12 pgs.pgs. 75 cents, 16 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com