March 1, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Ay ». » Serving m._ Western Oklahoma ra Since 1901 Wednesday, March 1, 2023 Downtown Waterline Rob Norris Fine Project Starts Artwork on Display at Route 66 Museum Complex Constructio begins on the downtown waterlines. Staff photos by Sheryl Ponce. By Sheryl Ponce a block at a time. When they get ready to do the road, they are supposed to go from Third Street to Fifth Street and then from ‘The long-awaited downtown waterline project has official- Fifth Street to Seventh Street, unless they change their mind,” ly started on Main Street. City Manager Tom Ivester has been he continued. talking about the replacement of the sewer and waterlines for ‘The waterline project takes place on the west side of the road, over a year. They have begun at the corner of Third and Main Beverly and Rob Norris with Donie Jordan but the second phase will tear up both sides of the road. The city Street and will move south to Seventh Street. Once this project is is making every effort to make the disruption as minimal as pos- to return to Cheyenne. He will completed, the Department of Transportation will start to work sible. Shoppers will need to look at the possible parking spots and eventually settle in Elk City. on the road. which businesses have backdoor entrances. They are leaving the Norris has ten of his skull “They will dig through to the existing lines down to the 100 sidewalks open so front entrances may be utilized. art that is a one-of-a kind and plus year old waterlines before the state starts their project to “The city’s currently graveling a lot behind the east side of considered fine art. His love redo the road and the sidewalks through downtown. It would be Main Street because, of course, on the west side there is a park- for the American West and silly for us to not put new water and sewer lines in now, because ing lot. The lot is west across the street from the Bank of Western eventually, we're going to have to do it. We have had failures, but Oklahoma, so there will be parking. We are trying to be the least love for nature has inspired his eventually we're going have a big failure,” Mayor Cory Spieker ex- invasive as we can,” Spieker said. work. Most of the skulls that plained. he uses for his artwork have He went on to say that they are trying to get ahead of any Shop Elk City has put together some options for parking and been purchased from auctions issues and that the project has been put off over the years. shopping ease. Customers can enter through the back doors or that support local wildlife divi- “They are going to go one block at a time, doing the waterline, See Waterline page 2. sions and conservation efforts. By Sheryl Ponce His art is nothing like any- thing else in the country, and The Western Oklahoma his ability to give these skulls Education Foundation Historical Society welcomes another artist to display his a chance to speak a new sto- ry of life and resurrection is abstract impressionist west- something that needs to be Awards Teacher Grants ern heads in the Education seen and appreciated. Stop by Building at the museum com- the museum to see his unique plex. Rob Norris is an artist, form of art. rancher, horseman, and hunt- See the next edition of er. He comes from his ranch in GoWest Magazine for an in- Colorado Springs, Colorado, dept interview with Early Voting Begins Thursday Early voting begins Thursday March 2nd for voters in Beck- ham County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their County Election Board. Beckham County Election Board Secretary, Sherron Man- ning , said early voting is open to all voters. Pictured is one of the many awards granted to Elk City teachers. Those present in the front are Rochelle Lively and “You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Okla- Elizabeth Wilson and in back are Carla Garrison, Piper Garbarino, Sean Hamm, Samantha Snider, Jeff Waters, and homa allows early voting for all elections conducted through Mike Sparks. Courtesy photo. the State Election Board—from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. ‘This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want By Sheryl Ponce raising efforts, as well as the grant reviews and awards. to avoid long lines,” Manning said. ‘The Education Foundation was established in 1990 by the late ‘The Elk City Education Foundation awarded $65,000 in grants Early voting is available Thursday March 2nd and Friday Larry Wade. It is made up of nine board members and two ex-of- March 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the County Election to teachers over the past month in individual school assemblies. ficio members who are the superintendent and assistant super- Board located at 310 E. Main St., Sayre . Manning reminds vot- ‘The grants were reviewed by anonymous retired teachers, and intendent. Since the beginning, they have awarded $1,330,958 the board presented the grant purchases to the teachers during in grants for specific classroom resources. The 501(c)(3) was es- ers that early voting is not available at polling locations. the assemblies. Assistant Superintendent Cindy Buckmaster co- ‘The Beckham County Election Board is located at 306 and tablished on Jan. 5, 1990, to raise the funds for Elk City Public ordinated the grant process for the foundation by working with is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday through Friday Schools. The first grant that was awarded that year was in the the administration and Tony Chauncey to make sure the grants amount of $2000. . For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580-928- were turned over to the foundation, the purchases were ordered, 3314 or [email protected]. Other members of the board include Katie Archer, treasur- and they were delivered. Early Voting In Beckham County Will Take Place At The Beckham ‘The Education Foundation is able to provide grants by using er, Terrie Teel and Tony Mikles serve as secretary, Sandy Werner County Activity Center Located At 310 E. Main St. In Sayre, Just and Piper Garbarino are trustees, Andrew Albert is the vice-pres- the interest earned from foundation donations made during East Of The Courthouse. their annual fundraising drive in the fall. Darin Schmidt, chair- ident, Corbin Dyson and Jeff Waters are also trustees. Buck- man of the Education Foundation, oversees the board ‘s fund- See Education page 2. See Sample Ballot page 2. «LA 0 Weather tomorrow /25 Vol. 120, No. 17 75 cents, 8 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com