March 16, 2022 Issue, Page 2 of 10

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March 16, 2022 News While re-investing in the Round Merrifield Supply, Jon and Scott have future of Merrifield’s Office Continued from page 1. worked nights and week- ends to get things done. Their Town back to a theater, I'm sorry” he joked. schedules have been packed with deliveries and sales calls, Jon is pleased with the while also taking care of their March 17 changes and thinks it looks family farms. Western Oklahoma Quil- good, even with all of the hard Jon is married to Rhonda ter’s Guild, held at the Elk work that was put into moving and they have three daughters, City Convention Center. shelves and merchandise. With Grace, Hope, and Faith, and 9AM-9PM. $40.00 the additional touches that will four grandchildren. His broth- take place, he reported that er Scott is married to Casey. March 18 remodeling could come to an ‘Their parents are Darrell and end. Change is not only hard, Anita Merrifield, founders and Western Oklahoma Quil- but it costs a lot, too. original owners of Merrifield ter’s Guild, held at the Elk When asked about the Office Supply. City Convention Center. building next to the office sup- 9AM-9PM. $40.00. ply, which he believes to be the Jon Merrifield is pictured oldest building in Elk City. He in front of the Mad Man March 19 said that they want to replace display that Kade and Hope Western Oklahoma Quil- the windows. He doesn’t know Coulter made for the store. ter’s Guild, held at the Elk when that may happen. ‘The exposed brick can be seen through the new City Convention Center. “It is money, It’s all about display. Staff photo by Sheryl 9AM-6PM. $40.00 money,” Jon concluded. Ponce. April 7 pagne bottle and glass where ‘The alleged victim claimed tried to “lay her back onto his hotel room and out into the Merritt Cemetery Asso- ciation will have their an- Doctor she took her seat, stopping that Massoumi invited her into his hotel room to see the sky- bed several times, but she re- fused.” parking lot, where her friend was waiting. to take a picture of the cham- nual meeting at 6:00 pm Continued from page 1. pagne waiting for her before line view of the Devon Tower. The woman reportedly ‘The alleged victim's friend in the Merritt High School stated that she began to feel described the woman's speech Commons. bar lounge, leaving the glasses picking up the glass and drink- However, once inside the on the lounge sofa. ing it. Massoumi took his seat room, the alleged victim re- unsafe and accused Massoumi as slurred, unable to under- The cemetery is located Surveillance video report- in front of the whiskey glasses. portedly said that she “began of drugging. stand, and said she was having west of Merritt School on edly showed no other person ‘The victim continued to drink to suddenly feel ill and dizzy.” vit ‘The probable cause affida- a hard time standing. states that the alleged vic- BKE, 1130 Rd. ‘The alleged victim report- tim said that she attempted to Court records do not in- disturbing the table or the the glass of champagne while dicate when Massoumi was edly said that she began to Do you have an event or glasses. Massoumi refilled her glass stand and fell immediately to taken into custody orif he self- “drool and foam at the mouth something else you would One minute later, Massou- from the bottle. Approxi- the floor due to her inability to surrendered after charges were and her body began to feel control or feel her legs. like to share with the mi is seen in the video return- mately 45 minutes later, Mas- numb all over.” ‘The alleged victim report- filed. community in the Round ing with the alleged victim, ac soumi and the victim exited The alleged victim de- edly called a friend for help, The suspect has been re- Town Calendar? cording to the report. the bar lounge and entered the scribed it as a feeling of “nova- who immediately responded to leased on a $25,000 bond. Email the information “The glasses are still where elevators to his upstairs hotel caine all over my body.” the hotel to pick her up. Online records do not in- for the event to editor@ he left them. Massoumi point- room,” the detective added in The alleged victim report- Massoumi allegedly fol- dicate when his future court ecdailynews.com. ed the victim to the cham- the report. edly stated that Massoumi lowed the woman out of the dates are scheduled. “I've seen the struggle of member of Elk City’s First Bap- ful for her family, friends and was the last person to achieve living with a disability and how tist Church, being on the lead- teachers. the honor. In May, Maddie and that impacts the family. So, I ership team and helping in the “I bleed brown and white, think that I really am inclined nursery. I guess. I am grateful for all of her family will attend a ban- to be drawn towards people “Tm also involved in ten- the teachers. It is a really good and helping them through nis as a varsity tennis player. I school system and a good com- quet honoring all of the 100 re- things like that. I do love kids, play number one doubles this munity. I can think of a lot of cipients. She will spend the day being passionate about the year with Anna Galloway. I'm teachers and classes through- younger ones. That’s one big involved in the school clubs, out my education, but if I with the others in discussion draw for me. If am not able to and I’m in band. I was a drum were to pick my favorite class and activities. The public will do that, my second place would major this year. Those are my through all of high school, it be to work with my speech pa- main activities. I also have a would be AP Psychology,” she be able to hear her during the thology, which would be with job. I work in Mark Albert's law said. graduation ceremonies as she stroke patients and doing swal- office, andI scan files for him,” Benton's photo will be dis- low therapy,” she said. Benton reported. played on a wall with other's gives the Valedictorian speech Benton is not only involved Achievement is only part named as an Oklahoma’s All to family and friends. in her education and school of the whole person. She is an State recipient. Her picture will Kl activities, she is also an active avid Elk City fan and grate- hang next to her sister’s, who Maddie Benton with her sister, Reagan Benton on the left. Both have been named as Oklahoma Academic All State recipients. Courtesy photo. ences and disorders. Spirit Benton “After I graduate, I will probably continue at Okla~ Continued from page 1. homa State University to get Continued from page 1. my Master's in speech pa- of class, putting the work in,” thology. I hope to come back cheer sponsor and bus driver, Mrs. Lyndsay Broadbent, when she explained. here (Elk City Public Schools) they would have dances on the Not only has she enrolled in or to another school system floor, they included all grades college concurrent courses, but and work with younger kids. from pre-k to 12th grade and she has completed several high I want to help them through not just the athletes. school AP classes. speech impediments or stut- She continued to say, “I took AP Psychology and ters or whatever they need. “We've kind of made school AP English language last year, T’ve always wanted to work in a chants. It’s something that and I got a three on both of school setting ever since I was says ‘we are Merritt’ and the those tests. Then, I took Eng- little. I also think that is some- little kids love that, so they all lish comp one and two, US his- thing that all the students may cheer all the time. It’s just ev- tory to 1877, art appreciation, need,” Benton noted. erybody together.” public speaking, and college She explained her need to Broadbent also credited ad- algebra all through Southwest- help others because her sister ministration for allowing them ern and Western Oklahoma was diagnosed with Type I dia- to have additional activities. State,” Benton said. “I think the administra- betes, and she saw the struggle The senior is already en- of living with a disability. The tion has helped us build school spirit by allowing us to do dif- rolled in OSU and has been impact it had on her family has ferent things that we haven't named to the President's Lead- made her want to help other done in the past. Besides the ership Class. She plans on ma- families deal with difficulties bigger pep rallies and letting joring in communication sci- that may face their children. everyone come down and dance, it is dress up days and themes at the ball games,” she "ElkCituNews added. One of the biggest turn- outs, and a first for many years, was the bonfire that (USPS # 173-020) took place during football sea- son, It seemed like that was a itt turning point for school spirit. rection of Tibbett’s music pro- the high school and trickles kids” He even gave us credit 580-225-3000 They held it down the road gram. In addition to the bucket down to the lower grades. for our send off for the girls Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC from the school, which includ- drumming, this year they have “A bunch of the kids in my at our pep rally. He's told the 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 eda favorite food truck. added a pep art class with the grade (eighth grade) really like kids, ‘y'all are the best! Come Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 Another added element art teacher, Kim Brady. the people in the tenth grade. out to the State Games.’ I think to create spirit was the drum- “We make posters for the They look up to them. I think that really boosts student's POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 964, Elk City, OK 73648 ming. The new music teacher, next game, they always look they're starting to get in- confidence in cheering, They Anna Tibbitt, put together a good and we make up ideas,” volved, which helped our boys feel a part of it,” she said. drumline with buckets that Leverett noted. start to participate. They want Whether it was the idea of SUBSCRIPTIONS Josh Umholtz....Publisher was brought out during pep ‘The overall atmosphere of to be there,” Myleigh Flowers supporting a winning team or assemblies. the district has changed with said. just a sense of school pride, the Deliverd by mail: Shery! Ponee....Staff Writer “We never hada band so we added spirit. More students Broadbent said that the atmosphere of Merritt Pub- $75/yearly $50/six months Neva Pyatt..Adverising Director started bucket drumming, and are attending the games, which eighth graders were the most lic Schools has increased and that helped a lot,” she said. hhas also created a sense of spirited, winning almost all seems to be on the increase. No refunds on subscriptions. Zadie Eakins...Advertising Director Next year they are adding pride within the community. of the competitions. Student Spirit translates to pride, and D’Ann Brasuell..Production Manager a pep band class. According to Rundle said that she has seen spirit also came from the it usually starts at the top, fil- editor @ecdailynews.com assistant superintendent Tawn a difference with the themed coaches. tering through the schools, advertising @ecdailynews.com Nahka King...SR/Delivery Rundle, the instruments have days. Not only are students “Mr. eff) Daugherty got parents and community. ads@ecdailynews,com been ordered and students appearing in the attire, but on the bus after area champi- Checkout page 5 for more classifieds @ecdailynews.com are starting to enroll into the community members also feel onships and said, ‘you guys did Merritt photos. lass. It will be under the di- included. It seems to start with great, I think that helps the