May 22, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Saturday, May 22, 2021 Weekdend Edition Beckham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating of a Iconic Elk City businesswoman inducted into the the 2019-20 fiscal year. Centenarians of Oklahoma $17.2 million figure is with in Erick five months ago and that the child’s information was put into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons off the celebratory affair. In a light-hearted series of jokes, Ware detailed his years-long were not released by our office - regarding a NAMUS entry friendship with the platinum-haired beauty. In an outfit that looked as though it was plucked from high fashion magazines, Heckrodt grinned as Ware started his short comedic routine. The district could not find Ware began by noting Heckrodt’s deep love for her family. Ackley Park is set to open Friday, May 28. The swimming “If you go into her house, there is not probably a spot on her hall- pool will be open from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Train, car- way that doesn’t have a family photo. I bet there are a hundred. Isn’t ousel and mini golf open nightly from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. that right?” Photo courtesy of the City of Elk City. As Ware playfully turned to the guest of honor, Heckrodt quipped the fiscal year ended. He that she probably had even more photographs than that. Department of Human Services officials are working with to the current fiscal year, but The minister then stated that Heckrodt had amassed a wealth of wisdom in her 100 years of life — knowledge that he alluded she was Hunt, payroll/insurance City of Elk City responds more than happy to dispense. 48 years, with 40 of continues, and a final “Behind those sparkling eyes and that beautiful smile, she is say- ing, ‘if you would shut up, you might learn something,” Ware opined to speed skater’s request to a roar of knowing laughter. Of course, the well-placed bit was an acknowledgment of the vast Chris Gerold urges more to join experience and savvy that Heckrodt had accumulated. Much of that stems from Heckrodt’s many national and global the athletic venture travels. She has visited all 50 states and at least 27 countries. Later on Tuesday on the sheriff’s office FB page, Manning “Her middle name is ‘Go,’” Ware giggled. “I have been with her on said sheriff’s officials had found documents that confirmed 72 trips throughout the years. The minute the bus or van would be stopped, she would ask where the next trip would go.” flawless, Throughout her countless contributions and Elk to her thatCity doesn’t commu- nity and her church family, Ware said that Heckrodt’s impact is im- measurable. “She has affected so many lives in Elk City. I love you, Gwen,” Ware added. By Shonda Little Ware also noted that visiting Dr. John Perkins is one of Heck- satisfied that the circumstances through which he came to ton – 1978, 1982 and 1984 – and one state rodt’s favorite things. Late Wednesday morning, Elk City resident Gwendolyn Ramona “That’s where we always seem to meet up,” Ware ended. Heckrodt was surrounded by friends and family at the Elk City Bap- One of Heckrodt’s two been a coach sons thenfor 48 years took – a head football the microphone. He tist Church’s Event Center to celebrate a milestone enjoyed by only coach for 40 years – and has thanked the women of the church for their efforts in bringingan overallthe re a tiny percentage of Oklahoma residents. party together. cord of 307-147 and a playoff record of 44- She was turning 100. “I want to thank Mom 24. for He played having football me,” her at son adult Oklahoma said toState. more “Our strength is going to increase dramati Within the festive gathering was a representative of the Oklaho- By Shonda cally,” Little“The [players’] confidence in he said. laughter. “It’s thrilled me to death.” ma Centenarians of Oklahoma to commemorate the rare hallmark Maggie Elrod then took center stage. Elrod represented Centenar- achievement. The well-wishers seemed as much like a fan club as In the mid to early 1990s, the ians of Oklahoma to honor Heckrodt, which was a surprise for the whereabouts of 42-year-old Elk loved ones and friends. Women of the First Baptist Church served special guest. City resident Chris Gerold were food and refreshments. Elrod explained that she and Heckrodt had been friends for fif- pretty predictable. He jokes Front and center among the crowd was Heckrodt, described as teen years. now that his routine was almost Officials in Beckham County have cut nearly $1 million feisty, active, and sharp by the group. Ten decades had not seemed “It is my honor to represent theanCentenarians during interview inof Oklahoma the and asat athletic office clockwork. from their estimated budget this year, with the final to slow her down any, the crowd agreed. “I lived with ofskates See Induction page 2. approval the on,” Ger- fiscal year budget coming in the 2019-20 Doc Ware, longtime music minister for the congregation, kicked hold laughed. “It was morning, noon, and night when I wasn’t in school. Even then, it’s what Arrest warrant issued for Elk City woman did,2019-20 I the search and budget ismyon to Theallaccident at did. find friends their weeklycoordi an offensive Occurred Skating was the center of my meeting Monday. The fina just after 6 p.m. in a hay field 3 over to the state by the first of October. world.” Cain tried to repair something under his 1986 Ford F350 Approximately six months for enabling child abuse His starting date is the first Monday after ago,excise dust he decided them to drag his old skates out, board gives the final approval and signs off on it off was reigniting and strap them on. His 10-year-old daughter Gia his old flame. Hartman, Beckham Beckham County Sheriff’s County Clerk. Office, Carter Fire, Elk City Fire, our first phase of the CAPS County “Gia got officialsand interested, said sheinand April that I went tochanges Shawnee,”in the budget Gerhold However, investigators learned that the adult pair had previous recounted. “It’s been a few months ago, but it immediately felt encounters with child welfare officials. fun to me. I hadn’t been on my skates in a while. My daughter was The probable cause affidavit pertaining to Taylor’s charge refer- tion scheme for the Elk offense. On the de excited about it, so that made it fun for me. But, it was also just ences an incident report concerning a dog bite to a 5-year-old child, cool to go at it again.” reported also to be Taylor’s child. However, Gerhold said that he promptly learned that the full- This reportedly occurred on October 1, 2020. The county cut $998,696 from its budget, Hartman said body activity might not be as easy for a 40-something man as it “The report notes that Animal Control Officer Lemons concluded was for a teenager. something was ‘off.’ The report contained minimal information, “You think I’m in department orshape, everybut I’m just official skinny. gives theirI’ve always been estimate of what but ACO Stepp had spoken with Paige whose statement was an skinny. But, Ineeding they’re smoked fortwo the packs of year,”cigarettes Hartman a day for a said. long time. “The excise unknown dog attacked (omitted) and that Paige had limited knowl- That will hit you. I was excited to get back into it,” he explained. edge of the incident,” the reporting detective wrote. Skating has been a part of Gerhold’s life for almost as long as he could stay on the floor the However, in a report included in the affidavit, law enforcement can remember. came to believe that the actual attacking dog was Jones’s dog, Born and raised in Southern California, his family found an un- Jones a.m. Benjiwith Hot Hash and known as “Dr. Dre.” likely path to Elk City when he was still a child in the early 1990s. On December 19, 2020, a Department of Human Services em- “My“We don’t parents know were those figures cross-country yet,”I she truckers. was said. “We’re born in Orangekind By Shonda Little ployee worked the initial referral from the child abuse hotline. County, and then we had moved into the high desert of California. During this investigation concerning the bruising to the back, For them, being in Oklahoma made sense because it was right year before and current year figures and help the county An arrest warrant was issued through the Beckham County buttocks and legs of the now-deceased child, which had occurred in the middle part of the country. Elk City was on I-40, so that District Court on May 14 for a 23-year-old Elk City woman on one before the call, a safety plan was reportedly put into place. was even“Butbetter. we’ve They had a made 20friend whocuts; percent lived here somewho said that offices charge of a parent willfully or maliciously engaging in child abuse. Based on statements given to the ECPD detective from two a house beside him was up for rent. Well, they were paying like On January 22, 24-year-old Troy Jones was charged with first- ODHS employees, on or about early January 2021, an agreement $1,200 a month for a three-bedroom in California back in the 90s. A fire degree thatrelated murder burned thedeath to the Team child. Tae Kwon of aChip was reportedly reached between the parties that Taylor would get We get couldthose comefinal figures here and get from them, essentially theit’s samekind of wait house for and $375. Do child’s That building Tuesday mother is afternoon now being accused inof the 1400 enabling that abuse. visitation with the children but that Jones was not to be around That was a no-brainer, especially because they got to be home According to the probable cause affidavit, the Elk City Police the kids. a definite date set for the more,”Commissioners Gerhold remembered. gave their final approval for the figures Department initiated an investigation concerning suspected child The report also states that should Jones have been around the While he said that he had skated some in California, the then children, he was not permitted to discipline them. in November. preteen fell in love with the sport when moving to Elk City. He first weekend fireof a abuse chief for the 3-year-old ElkJones child. CitywasFire Department. reported to be the No boyfriend “The DHS report to the district attorney’s office concerning this injuries of the child’s occurred. mother, PaigeTwo Lavonpeople Taylor. in the build was there, comingatinto theone least community accountwithout in there,”knowing a soulsaid. Hartman aside matter clearly states on page 6 of 16 that Taylor agreed to not have from his family. ing escaped unharmed. The main part of the After the child succumbed to his injuries at the University of Oklahoma Children’sinHospital in water Oklahoma City, law enforce- the children around Jones. It also reflects that Jones denied caus- HeHartman quickly found coulda not home within an provide the exact iconic Skate figure.Place Thenear I-40. public fire occurred the hot heater area. 75 children this year. ing$12,130. injuries to That figure (omitted), butwas up from agreed 40 be to not lastaround year. the children ment suspected Jones as the perpetrator The insurance company also is investigating.of the child’s injuries and charged him with murder. See Taylor page 2. See Skating page 3. Weather Vol. Vol. 117,119, No.No. 54 41 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 77 / 64 99/70 75 cents, 8 pgs. 75 cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com