August 11, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Wednesday, August 11, 2021 WeekdayEdition Elk City provides updates on activity center and a uatic center in conceptual design stage = == By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan In February of 2019, Elk City residents voted to approve Com- munity Action Plan Projects (C.A.PBS.), a one penny sales tax for CHANGING a duration of twenty years which will generate $70 million dollars for community projects that will enhance the quality of life for FAMILY] STORAGE a those residing in the city. In January 2020, The Elk City News reported that the planned ac- tivity center was in the conceptual design phase. Later that year, in July, ECN reported that the City Commission was exploring upgrades to the pool located in Ackley Park. Now, aftera C.A.PPS. meeting held July 27 and a later meeting with City Manager Tom Ivester, ECN is able to provide some updates on the two projects. A post on the City of Elk City Facebook page dated July 27 shares that “Over the two full size basketball courts, the second floor which includes a walking track, has been poured. The parking lot is also a work in progress with curbs being poured on the proper- ty.” The post continued to explain the construction crew was “still Also discussed were features such as bathrooms, including family held August 2 that there is still a wait for roofing materials and battling supply constraints in many different areas of this mas- bathrooms, changing rooms and the general floor plan. One of that once the roof was installed, work on the inside could begin. sive project.” Quoting the construction superintendent as saying ‘The C.A.PPS. meeting held on the morning of July 27 pertained the representatives also said that he “doesn’t see the center being that “[his] crew is installing the railing inside and doing anything to the conceptual design stage of the planned aquatic center. open next summer but rather the next.” else that can be done until they receive what they need to finish In a presentation given by Studio Architecture representatives In a meeting later between City Manager Tom Ivester and ECN, the roof” and that he expects supply constraints to continue for John Postic and Joshua Hill, three different exterior options “several more weeks.” It was stated at the commission meeting were shown. Each option had a different facade, port and door. See Aquatic page 2. Elk City High School’s Senior Class Tattoos help positively sponsor hopes this week’s Senior Sunrise identify suspect will kick off a spirit-filled school year Elk City man found himself charged with falsely imper- Due to that, a 49-year-old ro sonating another who might { to alumni. All these years later, he reflects upon the most memorable parts become liable to any suit or of his high school career to assist current ECHS seniors in making prosecution. the most of their final year in the Elk City School system. ‘At approximately 6:20 a.m. on “There are so many things I love about being a teacher, but one of July 4, the ECPD officer was the things that is most special is being here in this last year and patrolling near Jefferson and remembering what stood out and helped me,” Barnett explained. 5th Street in Elk City when he “The senior year should be part fun and part hardcore preparation observed gold in color Pontiac for going into adulthood and whatever career or educational path Bonneville bearing an Okla- a student is bound for. The two may feel conflicting, but that is homa license plate traveling on a balance that is important - to know how to succeed in life, but Jefferson. also having fun while you are doing it.” ‘The vehicle’s license plate was Barnett enlisted in the United States Army in 2005. During his Birdshead reportedly shown to be expired military service, he was deployed to Iraq and the Philippines. His as of June 30, 2021. The officer initiated a traffic travels taught him lessons too numerous to list, but chief among By Shonda Little stop upon the vehicle and con- them was the value of education. tacted the driver, who allegedly For that reason, he enrolled in the University of Central Oklaho- Any identifiable markings identified himself as a 50-year- ma after being honorably discharged. After earning his bachelor's and physical features are of- old man named Stephen Bird- degree in English and creative writing in 2018, he took his first ten logged into the state's da-~ shead, post-collegiate job with the Elk City Public Schools. tabase to help identify them “I started out as the junior high soccer coach and went on to be “It should be noted that driver for future reference whenever the high school coach the following year,’ Barnett recounted. someone is arrested. This of- was concealing his identity and “The graduating class of 2019 was my first class to teach. I then was correctly identified on a ten includes height, weight, subsequent traffic stop as Os- went on to get my master’s degree from UCO.” eye color, scars and, yes, tat- car Birdshead,” the reporting When Barnett reflects upon his life’s ultimate journey, he says tos. that teaching was always in the foreground of his thoughts. In- officer wrote. Sometimes those identifiers During the traffic stop, the vesting his efforts into the students of his hometown felt equally can be a dead giveaway when reporting officer reportedly natural, law enforcement attempts to observed a tattoo on the right “I know it sounds cliche, but my teachers and coaches kept me identify a suspect positively, side of the suspect’s neck, As the senior English teacher, Josh Barnett enjoys the ex- where I needed to be. Looking back, I now remember them teach- particularly if the person has which read “Kelly.” tra duty as senior class sponsor. As ECHS alumni himself, ing me things I didn’t know thatI needed at the time. I joke that a specific tattoo. From a previous law enforce- he understands the value of guidance during the last year I went into teaching for the money, but we all know that no one According to the Elk City Po- ment contact, it was known of high school. Courtesy photo. gets into this profession to get rich. What is more rewarding than lice Department, such was that Oscar Birdshead was mar- all the gold in the world is to be able to give back to students what By Shonda Little was given to me,” Barnett said. the case when an ECPD offi- ried to a woman named Kelly. cer promptly realized a man ‘The reporting officer was aware Nearly two decades ago, Elk City High School teacher Josh Bar- As the senior-level English teacher, Barnett is now the teacher was allegedly not giving an nett walked the graduation stage and transformed from student accurate name. See Tattoos page 2, See Sunrise page 2. Vol. 119, No. 64 a Te Weather tomorrow 91/68 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com