March 19, 2022 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition Man Charged With First-Degree Rape And Using A Cell Phone To Threaten Violence DA encourages other possible victims ofthe suspect to come forward contacted by the ECPD in reference to a reported rape that had allegedly been com- mitted against a 17-year-old Lopez was listed as the sus- pect. Due to the graphic nature of the allegations and the Leadership VIII takes to the capital. Pictured are members of the class with Representative Todd Russ, Governor Kevin young age of the alleged vic- Stitt and Senator Darcy Jech. Members of the Leadership class are Jesse Champagne, Sherry Horn, Jeff McDowell, Ko- tim, many details listed in rbin Perkey, Blane Short, Aubry Clark, Amber Taylor, Jessica Ford, and Rodney Cloud. Not pictured is Julie Bonner. Mauricio Lopez the probable cause affidavit Steering Committee chair is Chief Eddie Holland. 1.Courtesy photo. filed against Lopez are being withheld. By Shonda Little According to the affidavit, the reporting party had said 38th Annual Southwest Farm and Home A 30-year-old Elk City man that Lopez had sexually as- is being held in the Beckham saulted and raped her and Expo Coming in April County Detention Center on then used Snapchat to make a $250,000 bond for charges of first-degree rape, making threats that his family would kill her if she “snitched” on a a.m., and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be an exhibitor hos- an offer to a child under 18 him. pitality room. At 6 p.m. the hall closes for the evening. The next years of age for the purpose of The detective noted that prostitution or any other lewd Lopez is a convicted sex of- morning, Sat. April 2nd at 9 a.m., the expo will open to the public. or indecent act, making a tele- fended and has been sen- All day Saturday, antique tractors will be on display at the south phone call with the intent to tenced to a suspended exhibit grounds, while the FFA Ag Mechanics Show and Silent put the party called in fear of five-year sentence in the Auction will take place in the South Exhibit Hall. The All Breed physical harms or death. Oklahoma Department of Bull Sale will start at 2 p.m., also in the South Exhibit Hall and the Additionally, Mauricio Corrections for the 2019 con- Expo will shut down at 6 p.m. Evaristo Lopez has a second viction. Sunday, April 3rd, the Expo will re-open at noon, with the Chil- $10,000 bond on a motion ‘The detective learned that dren's Pedal Tractor Pull starting at 1 p.m. Participants must be to revoke his plea bargain for Lopez had allegedly failed to between the ages of 4 and 12. Registration for the competition ‘a June 2019 charge that was register as a sex offender in is at 1 p.m. The tractor pull will start at 1:30 p.m. in the South amended to assault with the Washita County, where he Exhibit Hall. Also at 1 p.m., the Barbecue Cook-Off judging will intent to commit a felony. had reportedly lived for two begin in the North Exhibit Hall, east room. At approximately 4 am on years. All day Sunday there will be an Antique Tractor Display to see, February 28, an Elk City Po- lice Department detective was See Lopez page 2. and at 3:30 p.m. the FFA Ag Mechanics and Barbecue Cook-Off awards will be presented. Also, the Scholarship presentations will By Sheryl Ponce take place on the North Exhibit Hall stage. The expo will close at 5 p.m., bringing the 38th expo to an end. Registration forms for the 38th Annual Southwest Farm and Other events that are happening around Elk City include: Home Expo have been released and plans are underway for the March 18th through 20th, the Tumbleweed Quilt Retreat at the event. The show opens Saturday April 2nd and runs through Convention Center. Sunday, April 3rd at the Elk City Convention Center. The show March 23rd the Docent’s Luncheon will take place at noon in the gives farmers and homeowners the chance to showcase prod- Museum Opera House. ucts and learn about what others are offering throughout the March 25th through the 27th the Softball Big Elk Spring weekend. On Friday, April 1st, exhibitors will register beginning at 10 See Expo page 2. Commissioners Approve $9 Million for Aquatic Center High Speed Chase End By Sheryl Ponce radio controlled aircraft area. Archer told the commissioners that Fauver has experience with racetracks and he is planning to be at Diamond Exchange ‘The Elk City Commissioners met at city hall for their regular 2 ready for the racing season. They approved the agreement By Sheryl Ponce p.m. monthly meeting on Wed. All were present, with the excep- ‘The commissioners approved the structures at 907 W. 9th, 303 tion of City Manager Tom Ivester, who was out on Spring Break. N. Main and 421 W. Ave D to be declared dilapidated buildings On the Elk City Police Department's Facebook page, Chief Mayor Nick Archer opened the meeting by giving the Invocation that is detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, order- Eddie Holland described a high speed chase that began with and followed by Cory Spieker with the Flag Salute. ing their removal. the Beckham County Sheriff’s department units attempting to Prior to tackling the agenda, the commissioners heard from ‘Three of the other structures were tabled, giving the owners make contact with a suspicious vehicle occupied by a female. city inspector, Gary Nix, during a public hearing concerning six more time to fix the issues. Those were 1001 N. Adams, tabling ‘The incident took place early on Tuesday, March 15th. He said properties that were being considered as dilapidated structures. the issue for 90 days. Also tabled was 710 N. Locust for an addi- that the car was a 2005 Chevrolet sedan that had been spray ‘Those properties were 907 W. 9th, 303 N. Main, 421 W. Ave D., tional 120 days, and N. Jackson was tabled for another 90 days. painted a dull gray. 1001 N. Adams, 710 N. Locust and N. Jackson. Two of the own- Five 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe police package units from Joe Coo- ‘As the deputies approached her in the car, she drove off, ers were present and spoke to the commissioners about their sit- per Chevrolet was approved in the amount to $186,300, along heading into the city of Sayre. Driving through Sayre at high uation and the desire to remedy the issues. One of the other own- with equipment from Dana Safety Supply, Inc. in the amount of speeds, she ran onto the west bound lanes of I-40, but going the ers spoke to Nix, wanting more time to fix the house and other $83,762.80 and the camera system from WatchGuard Video for wrong way against traffic. According to Holland, all of the area owners agreed with Nix, wanting the city to remove the house. $32,235 for a total amount of $302,297.80. This was a budgeted units were set to help in pursuit of the vehicle. ‘Then the commissioners returned to the agenda, approving the item. As she took off, the deputies were in the process of running minutes from the March 7th meeting. They continued to vote on Van Storm from Joe D. Hall Construction was present and a criminal and warrant check on the woman. They found that alease agreement between the City of Elk City and Fauver Racing and Promoting, LLC for the stock car racetrack and the racetrack See Aquatic page 2. See Chase page 2. i OT Weather 75 / Vol. 120, No. 23 Mail delivery View online Mer eivar erm s tomorrow 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com