June 21, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Weekday Edition Senator Howard Addresses Rotary Club, Western Oklahoma Alzheimer's Collaborative Paint the Town Porple Discusses Latest Legislation SU. 2 iE Paint the Town Purple to Support Alzheimer Awareness ECPD Chief Eddie Holland with Sen. Brent Howard. By Sheryl Ponce mula, which we have set for almost $280 million of that is going The Western Oklahoma Alzheimer Awareness Coalition to go directly in the salaries,” Howard began. is a group of individuals who help raise awareness and pro- He continued to say that teachers would receive increases by vide community support for those facing Alzheimer’s. They years of experience, ranging from $3000 additional salary, then offer recourses to help educate communities in western $4000, $5000, and up to $6000 in addition to what they are cur- Oklahoma, along with engaging in fundraising efforts for By Sheryl Ponce rently making. the Alzheimer’s Association to find a cure. “The other $220 million roughly is going to go into the formu- Each year they sponsor “Paint the Town Purple” as an Oklahoma Senator Brent Howard was Shonda Currell’s guest la, so it's going to be based on per student, and the public-school awareness for their efforts, as well as raise funds for western speaker at the regular noon meeting for the Elk City Rotary Club. spending will be at the discretion of the school board administra- Oklahoma. There is something happening every day of the week, including a blood drive on Wed. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She introduced him by saying he was raised in southwest Oklaho- tion within each school,” he said. that will take place in the parking lot west of Main Street. It ma on the same farm homesteaded by his great grandfather. He ‘The other $625 million will be spent on a recuring basis in will be sponsored by Comforting Hands Hospice and Home- has a law practice near his family farm in Altus, where he focuses public education. There were $125 million additional funds and stead Assisted Living Center. on estate planning and tax law in his practice. of that, 40 percent will go to education from medical marijuana ‘The main event will take place on Sat., June 24th at the Sen. Howard thanked the Rotarians for having him speak, to be spent on schools that have less ad valorem dollars less than Arrowhead Center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $4 to get then went right into the latest legislative session. The first issue the state average. into the center. They will get a purple band to wear because that he talked about was the education bill. “The other part that focuses on public education was the purple is the color for Alzheimer’s. Go to www.woac-ec.org to “There were actually about three education bills that have bill that related to school security. We put in $150 million over get the pass in advance or order a t-shirt. passed, and they're broken into different parts. The first part I'll three years, $50 million a year into school security. Every school Saturday's activities include a Walk-a-Thon that will start at 9.a.m. and run until 6 p.m., an art show that will be at AM. talk about is the public education side. It is going to be $625 mil- district will receive roughly $100,000 each year to be able to go Creative, Gallery@112, and Summer Arts from 9 a.m. to 6 lion in recurring revenue over and above what was the baseline in and either contract with a county sheriff's offices or a local p.m., anda silent auction from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. budget that was passed last year which is going to go into public education. Five hundred million of that goes directly into the for- See Rotary page 2. See Purple page 2. Local Leaders and Businesses Gather at Homestead Assisted Living for the Chamber Breakfast By Sheryl Ponce Abuffet of bacon, eggs, pancakes, and fruit were laid out by Homestead Assisted Living for the Elk City Chamber of Com- merce Breakfast Club meeting Friday morning, June 15th. The meeting was emceed by Basil Weatherly who invited Kevin Akins, pastor of First Assembly of God Church to give the invo- cation, followed by Weatherly leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Julie Byerly, Executive Director of Homestead of Elk City, welcomed everyone to their facility and gave a brief rundown of their services. She said that Midwest Health purchased the complex two years ago, and she is excited about their company. RCCT Academy Helps Young Actors She explained that they have an assisted living building, cot- tages, and a memory care building. “[have a wonderful staff that have been here for a very long time. I feel like we give really good quality care. We are thankful Shine in ‘Matilda, Jr.’ Production that we're in this industry, and that we can provide care for our loved ones,” Byerly said. She turned to another organization that she is passionate about, which is the Western Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Collabora- By Sheryl Ponce rect.org or call 580-225-5461. tion. Byerly talked about “Paint the Town Purple” week and the ‘The young actors include Ella Gordon, Merritt, playing Eric; activities they will be having during the following week. The big event will take place Sat., June 24th at the Arrowhead Center. The Red Carpet Community Theatre’ first youth academy is Presley Bentley, Sayre, playing Tommy; Annabelle Hagerman, It will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with activities throughout the underway with 17 campers studying their lines and learning their Erick, playing Amanda; Samuel Holcomb, Leedey, playing Bruce; day. songs for Ronald Dahl's “Matilda, Jr.” production. The academy is Kaydean Nalley, Sayre, playing Lavendar; Jaelyn Simmons, Burns Executive Director of Elk City Chamber of Commerce, Susie being led by Cassidy Crabb, Emma Ferraro, and Bailey Carpenter Flat, playing Alice; Addison Burrows, Hobart, playing Hortensia; Cupp, then went over the chamber activities that have been with Lori Park taking on the project as the musical director. Natalee Hagerman, Erick, playing Nigel; Doura Senz, Elk City, happening. She began with the Farm and Ranch Expo, the The show will open on June 30th and run throughout the playing Matilda; Thomas Weisner, Elk City, playing Mr. Worm- Easter Egg Hunt, the Lt. Governor's Turkey Hunt, the Oil and Gas Tournament, and the Route 66 Festival and Block Party. weekend, July 1st and 2nd, at the RCCT theatre located at 422 N. Jefferson. Tickets can be purchased through the website, www. See Matilda page 8. See Breakfast page 2. Vol. 120, No. 52 Mail delivery View online OU LH Weather tomorrow 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com