September 22, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Uy: ¢ e 5 v.y Serving Western Oklahoma 4 Since 1901 WeekdayEdition Elk City native wins national public health award Larson explained that she applied for the award while she was still at her previous job which she held for six and a half years which was with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department where she worked on a community based grant called the TSET Healthy Living program. Larson explained that in this role she and her colleagues worked with local organizations to help them pass wellness policies such as tobacco free policies, nutrition poli- cies or physical activity policies in an effort to “change the envi- ronment so that the healthy choice is the easy choice where peo- ple live, work, play and learn.” Larson continued on to say that in May she transitioned to a statewide role with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) as Lead Wellness Coordina- tor in which she helps oversee the Healthy Living program and the technical assistance side of things as well as helping develop products for those grantees across the state. In addition, she also The United Fund leads the state obesity stakeholders group which she says is a “large coalition made up of over 100 stakeholders who all have a role to play in reducing obesity in Oklahoma.” seeks donations Larson shares that according to a Harvard Choices Study, by the ‘The United Fund recently re- dip into reserves to continue year 2030 Oklahoma will have the highest obesity rate in the country and that over half of all Oklahomans will be considered ceived a donation of $1,000 funding its obligations. Board obese. She continued to say that because there are so many health from the First National Bank member Scott Garrison says, outcomes that come from being obese such cardiovascular diseas- & Trust of Elk City for their “We were happy we were able es and cancer, that they're trying to “work together creatively to annual charitable drive. For to have the funding set back find and identify goals and objectives that we can all work toward several decades, the United to make it so that we don’t reach the outcome predicted by the for just such an emergency, Harvard Choices Study.” Larson explained that another part of Fund has used donations such but now it’s more important Lauran Larson, her husband and their children her job is coordinating the OSDH Employee Wellness Programs as these to serve and support than ever to build back the Larson has been recognized as one of 40 Under 40 in in which they try to help state employees live healthier lives, get the following worthwhile money these agencies rely on Public Health. Courtesy photo. some steps in during the work day and help get them connected agencies: Western Oklahoma to resources such as the Employee Assistance Program if they to operate.” Scott continued, need support in matters such as coping with stress. Literacy Learning Council, Elk “We often explain to our do- By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan City Civil Defense, Action and nors ‘how much would you On Sept. 14 the de Beaumont Foundation announced its 2021 40 According to Larson, she has also picked up additional respon- Under 40 in Public Health honorees. Recognizing leaders in the sibilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic since in the job title it Associates - Women and Chil- give if each and everyone of public health field who “strengthen communities with new ideas, says that if you work for a public health department you must “be dren’s Crisis Center, Salvation these agencies came to you creative problem-solving and innovative solutions,” Brian C. Cas- willing to help assist if there's ever a public health emergency.” Army, HELP, Inc., Meals on individually and asked you trucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation She says that in her last position, 20 hours of her work week were Wheels and CASA (Court Ap- to give to them?’ ‘The United says of the honor, “At a time when public health professionals are devoted to COVID duties such as leading a case investigation being required to adapt and take on monumental challenges, we team. pointed Special Advocates). Fund consolidates the re- are incredibly proud of these leaders. We created the 40 Under When asked what it means to be recognized with this honor, Lar- President Roy Garrison noted quests of all these agencies 40 program to recognize and tell the stories of rising leaders who son said “I like that a very unique type of position is in the spot- that, like many organizations, into one handy place to ad- are making a difference in communities across the country. By light, so kids growing up today are able to see a different type of The United Fund had been promoting their work and accomplishments, we hope to attract job. You always just hear lawyer or doctor or engineer; there are minister their contributions.” impacted by the COVID-19 ‘The United Fund board hopes and inspire a new generation of leaders.” other jobs out there that can be so unique to a person’s interest. I Compiled of professionals from 27 states and a diverse range of got interested in prevention science because I was curious about pandemic when they were un- to personally call on all those backgrounds, walks of life and professional roles, nestled within why some people with maybe rough childhoods or people who able to fundraise last year. Be- the list is one of Elk City’s very own. Lauran Larson (Woodruff) were bio statistically set up to fail in life somehow had resilient cause of that, the Fund had to See Fund page 2. graduated from Elk City High School in 2008, which she credits factors in their life that made them succeed. I just had a fascina- the education that she received there as and the ability to take tion with prevention science, how do people overcome the barri- Advanced Placement classes as part of her success by “giving her ers that they’re faced with? And how do they achieve good out- Flood control dam a nice challenge and preparing her well for college.” She then at- comes in life?” Larson also said that she believes that the award tended the University of Oklahoma where she received her bach- shows that “Oklahoma may have some poor health outcomes but to be rehabilitated elor’s degree in psychology and sociology and her master’s degree that the state has some great plans in place and that maybe one in prevention science. Larson interned with the TSET (Tobacco day we really will be a top ten state in terms of health.” Settlement Endowment Trust) Communities Excellence Pro- When reached for comment, Larson’s former supervisor, Mi- gram while in graduate school and says that she “just knew that T wanted to work on helping create those environments and set- chelle Lessell, a supervisor for the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, stated: “Lauran was a leader on our team from veryConservationists, ting people up for success.” politicians attend See Health award page 2. Popular Elk City restaurant groundbreaking By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan is missing cat It was announced by the Oklahoma Conservation Commis- sion on Aug. 31 that flood control dam “Upper Elk Creek Site 23D” would be receiving rehabilitation. Sponsored by North Fork of Red River Conservation District, the dam will be raised business partner Amy Vickers say that they want their cat to be 4.4 feet. County road N Eastern Ave will also see a raise in returned. height. While the dam is currently functioning as it should be, Kilhoffer says the cat, who most people call simply “Yellow Cat,” the $4.3 million project (65% funded by the federal government, sits on the restaurant's front porch at night and greets people; 35% by the Conservation Commission, which received fund- that he just “hangs out.” She says that when they drive up, he ing when SB 1938 was passed in May 2020), the improvements runs out to greet them, describing him as a cat that loves every- will help ensure that the dam not breach, therefore protecting body. “It might scratch them, but he loves them,” she laughed. against any future damage to property and infrastructure or loss Kiloffer says that Yellow Cat has been around for “about a year” of life. The structure also provides protection against phenom- and that they've grown attached, even worriedly running him to ena such as erosion. The project will also see the lifespan of the the vet when he once got injured: “several months ago one of my dam stretched by at least 100 years. cooks called me and told me he had been shot. And I got up there A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site, located east and he hadn’t been shot, we think a big dog got ahold of him of Elk City, on Sept. 7. Notable figures in attendance included Congressman Frank Lucas, State Representative Todd Russ, by either shoulder and just shook him. We took him to the vet, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Executive made sure it wasn’t a gunshot and got medicine to make sure that Director of Oklahoma Conservation Commission Trey Lam, he didn’t get an infection,” She continued, “He's always been our USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Okla- cat.” homa State Conservation Engineer Chris Stone, North Fork of Kiloffer explains that she thinks that it's possible someone took Red River Conservation District board members and staff, Up- Yellow Cat, thinking that they were doing a good thing, because per Washita Conservation District staff and City Manager Tom they constantly have people say things such as “hey, if that’s not Ivester. By Burgundy Lee Hanrahan your cat I'll take him home,” “I want your cat,” or “I'm going to For more information on the Oklahoma Conservation Com- come get that cat.” She says she tells those people “Please don’t, mission you can visit conservation.ok.gov. You can contact the North of Red River Conservation District at (580)928-3113 or Mary Kilhoffer, owner of PrairieFire Grille, and her daughter and See Missing page 2. find them on Facebook. aT Te Weather tomorrow /73 Vol. 119, No. 76 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com