January 22, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 16

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Saturday, January 22, 2022 Weekend Edition Elk City Grad Says, Beckham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating of a Commissioners ‘Make the World Tell You No’ the 2019-20 fiscal year. Look at Dilapidated $17.2 million figure is with Houses and in Erick five months ago and that the child’s information was put into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Hear Positive were not released by our office - regarding a NAMUS entry The district could not find Financial News By Sheryl Ponce Mayor Nick Archer called the Jan. 19th Commissioner’s meet- the fiscal Gregory year now White ended. He works, ing Department to order. Thof Human included e houses Services 622 officials are working with N. Washington, 615 teaching others to pilot N. Watkins, and 618 W. 9th. City Inspector, Gary Nix gave the helicopter and taking the commissioners the background on each facility, with one Hunt, payroll/insurance to the current hunters fiscal and outfi year, tters on but owner being 48 years, present. with of The owner 40622of N. Washington told the expeditions across central commissioners that he would be removing the structure, but Texas. Courtesy photo continues, and a final was waiting to arrange a dump truck for removing the debris. No one else spoke during the public hearing. By Sheryl Ponce never seen anything like them since, until the Apache. I thought Mayor Archer proceeded to the given agenda, with the approval on it for about a week. I saw what that day (9/11) had done to of the Jan. 3rd minutes. The group was to receive the audit re- In 1994, Gregory White graduated from Elk City High School and my family, all of us, and the world. And sadly, my anger drove port, but Derrel White, FSW&B was out ill with the COVID. The went directly into the National Aviation service. He started as a me back into service, and this time as a pilot in an attack weap- Later commissioners Tuesday voted toon the sheriff’s table any office action FB White until page, wasManning able jet mechanic on F-14 Tomcats and retired from active duty ser- ons delivery platform. My anger faded, but my passion did not. tosaid present the audit. sheriff’s officials had found documents that confirmed vice in Sept. of 2018. Although he started his service in the Navy, I went on to serve in Iraq, Korea, and was stationed in Texas, They then approved all of the houses on the agenda to be de- he retired from the Army. Alabama and Kentucky,” White explained. clared dilapidated, and ordered the structure to be removed, He begin working on jets in the Navy while stationed at Naval Air He became an instructor pilot andflawless, and thatpilot standardization doesn’t in the noting that an individual could remove the structure prior to Station (NAS), Miramar. before leaving the Navy, he also earned Apache, while he also worked to become a master gunner in the the city’s demolition. The commissioners also approved Reso- his licenses to work on civilian aircrafts. Apache. White taught others how to perfect the craft of air-to- lution 2022-1: A Resolution between the City of Elk City and “As soon as I was discharged, I began flying airplanes at a small ground attack, weapons tactics, and procedures. County Commissioners of Beckham County to provide labor to flight school in San Diego. I took my written exam for my com- “I retired from active duty service in September, 2018. I’ve maintain the traffic light at Hwy 6 and Merritt Rd. City Man- satisfied that the circumstances through which he came to mercial pilot’s license on Sep 10, 2001. My check-flight was to be missed it everyday sinceton – then.As1978, 1982 Iand of now, 1984 – am the and chief oneat a pilot state ager, Tom Ivester told them that this is already in place, and it the next day, but the next day the entire world changed, 9/11. flight school outside of Fort Hood, Texas, where I teach the young was a housekeeping resolution. Item number six on the agenda was approved for payment to Seven days later I had no job, a wife and three kids at home, and and old, alike, how to flybeen smalla coach for 48 like helicopters yearsthe – aR44 head andfootball the Caswell Materials, LLC for asphalt for Breckenridge (both al- deep in debt due to flight school costs,” White said. MD530,” he continued. coach for 40 years – and has an overall re ley), 1300 Elk B and State and 127 Sunset alley in the amount As he struggled with how to manage these life changes, he looked “ Between students, I workcord of 307-147 with an and outfi a playoff tter service,record of 44- providing of $20,495.01. Item number seven, declaration as surplus of for advice from his father, Jerry Dewayne White, the person who hog hunting flights and 24. Hegunnery aerial played fl football ights at Oklahomacentral throughout State. “Our strength is going to increase dramati miscellaneous exercise equipment from the Fire Department influenced everything he ever did. White was angry, like the rest Texas. These are live fire events that actually fit my experience cally,” he said. “The was approved. [players’] confidence The Commissioners also in heard from Kyle Cher- of the nation at what was happening, but his father reminded and style of flying, so I have found myself in a very niche posi- venka, Fire Chief, concerning the purchase of a new utility him that the Army had tons of helicopters. tion. I am very fortunate to have this post retirement, as a second bed with rollup doors from Southwest Trailers and Equipment “He told me that they would make me an officer without having career. I am currently flying airplanes a bit as well, and revisiting for the Elk City Fire Department. He told them that this item my degree completed. I scoffed at the idea since all I knew was where I started all those years ago. Not sure where I’ll go with would be installed on one of the trucks, alleviating the need Naval Aviation and as a jet guy we did not always live in harmony it, I’m a true ‘rotor-head’ now. But flying is flying, so I will never to purchase an additional truck that could haul heavier equip- during an interview in the athletic office at Officials in Beckham County have cut nearly $1 million with the ‘helo guys.’ Again, he (his father) reminded me that the turn it down.” ment. They approved the $18,987.36 for the purchase. from their estimated budget this year, with the final The commissioners also looked at the approval of a bid received Army had Apaches. The AH-64D attack helicopter, just like the approval of the 2019-20 fiscal year budget coming in the gunships from back in Vietnam when he served. He told me he’d See White page 2. from Stevenson Paving Co., for repairs to the 5-Plex ball fields parking lot for asphalt patchwork, crack repair, sealcoat and striping in the amount of $47,995. Ivester said that this was 2019-20 needed the search toisbudget at their accommodate on to find weekly the meeting thousands an offensive coordi Monday. of people The to coming fina The accident Occurred just after 6 p.m. in a hay field 3 ‘An Evening with Jenny’ to Benefit the fields, although it would drop the total number of parking over to spaces. thethey Then, state by the first approved the of October. Purchase Orders FY 21-22 and Cain tried to repair something under his 1986 Ford F350 recurring invoices for Jan. 9. Dust Bowl Days and RCCT His starting date is the first Monday after In the City Manager’s report Ivester, introduced Matt Brad- excise board gives the final approval and signs off on it shaw, the new building manager for the Activity Center. His salary will be paid with CAPPS money which is designated for Hartman, Beckham County Beckham County Sheriff’s Clerk. Office, Carter Fire, Elk City Fire, By Sheryl Ponce our first phase of the CAPS operations Countyof the Activity officials Center. said in AprilHe will have that changes an inoffithe ce at City budget Hall until the facility is ready to be occupied. Manage the build- Jenny Jarnigan Drake just returned from touring with the leg- ing itself, as well as working on programing outside of the Kid’s tion scheme for the Elk offense. On the de Inc. program. endary swing/rock band, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, as Ivester talked about the demolition of the swimming pool, tell- their pianist/organist. Before she returns to the road, she will ing the story about Gary Nix sending him a video of the wreck- give back to her community with a benefit concert on Feb. 5 at The county cut $998,696 from its budget, Hartman said ing ball. It was posted on social media and received over 12,000 7:30 p.m. at the Red Carpet Community Theatre, located at 721 views, and it reached is over 20,000. N. Jefferson in Elk City. The proceeds to what is being called, “An “Nix’s video holds the record forgives mosttheir views. The fascination department or every official estimate of what Evening with Jenny,” will go to Sayre’s Dust Bowl Days that will withey’re the pool’s destruction needing for the just year,”shows Hartman how said. many“Thepeople are excise take place the third week in July and the Red Carpet Community interested in the pool. When the CAPPs project was started, it Theatre. could stay on the floor the was the pool project. You can see how important that project is Tickets for the event are $20 each and can be purchased online at to everybody,” Ivester said. www.rcct.org. It has been suggested reservations be made early, He continued to announce that on Feb.7th, the architects and a.m. with Hot Hash and Joe D. Hall Construction will unveil the new swimming pool due to limited seating in the theatre. When purchasing tickets “We don’t know those figures yet,” she said. “We’re kind design for the commissioners to vote on. If anyone is interested online, seats in the theatre may also be chosen and assigned. in seeing those designs, be at the Feb 7th meeting. Once the de- Jenny will be joined by Joe Merrick, Sayre, as well as some of sign is approved, they will put it out to bid. They willthenotcounty know year before and current year figures and help her students, and other local favorites. In addition to her musi- the actual cost until the bids come in on the project. cal ability, Jenny’s artwork is also iconic, having had a special art “But Ivester we’ve said made that the city20has percent been aff cuts; some ected by offices the recent COVID show at the Elk City Museum Complex. Part of the evening will surge, with about ten percent of city employees out. They are include an auction of paintings, both hers and other local artists. continuing to deal with the issue. A fire that burned the Team Chip Tae Kwon With a story-telling voice, accompanied by her classically trained Heget thenthose askedfinal figures to Chervenka from them, talk about it’sthe kind fire,of wait locatedand south Do building Tuesday afternoon in the 1400 piano skills, Jenny has been influenced by her upbringing. She of Elk City. Chervenka said that they had about 70 firemen a definite date set for the Commissioners gave their final approval for the figures was born in Sayre but raised a Canadian when her family moved were on the scene and cooperated with the other departments. to Salmon Arm, British Columbia. As a Canadian, she enjoyed He went onto say that they think it was arson, because they fire chief for the Elk City Fire Department. No first weekend in November. have had several fires between Elk City, Sayre and Erick. He ocean fishing with her father and helped on the ranch, learning injuries occurred. Two people in the build to weld, build fences and driving tractors. also commented there, at least onewhat a good account relationship in there,” Hartman they said. have with ing escaped unharmed. The main part of the other local fire departments. Jenny was gifted with musical talents and at the age of three. She Hartman could not provide CPAan exact figure. The to public fire occurred in the hot water heater area. 75 children this year. That figure was up from 40 last Meredith Meachum Wilson, came to the podium Jenny Jarnigan $12,130. Seeyear. Evening page 2. The insurance company also is investigating. See Comissioners page 3. Weather Vol. Vol. 117,120, No.No. 54 6 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 58 / 31 99/70 75 cents, 8 pgs. 75 cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com