September 23, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Weekend Edition = became a standard practice. Bruce not only left his mark in the lives of teachers and stu- dents through his dedication as an educator, but he also honored his mother’s determination to go to high school by establishing the Vesta Bruce Scholarship fund in 2002. With this scholarship he has been instrumental in providing 50 to 60 student scholar- ships that supported their efforts to further their education. ‘Another way Bruce helped students was by hosting foreign exchange students. He and Carole invited numerous high school students from Mexico, Brazil, Sweden, Japan, and other coun- tries into their home to live for six months to a year while at- tending school. Bruce was such a positive influence in the lives of Sayre, 3662, ‘ these students that their siblings and families came to America to visit Leroy and Carole. ‘Their love for the exchange program cultivated a relationship that made Nobuo Toba, originally from Japan, an honorary son Leroy Bruce and brother. He remained in the United States after his time as an exchange student expired, and now he resides in Anchorage, i A By Sheryl Ponce S.T.A.R.T Child Alaska. After Bruce retired from education, he became the manager of Family, friends, teachers, and former students celebrated the trustee crew from Granite Correctional Facility and worked the life of Leavy Leroy Bruce Wednesday, Sept 20th, at 10 a.m. for the City of Elk City. Under his supervision, the crew repaired Advocacy Center Hosts part of the historic brick streets, and they constructed the Christ- in the First Presbyterian Church in Elk City. Rev. Danny Ringer mas decorations in Ackley Park. was entrusted with the services that remembered the legacy While supervising the trustee crew, he began to rebuild the that Bruce leaves with his family and the community. Two Lazy Two Angus cattle company. After several years in the Bruce was born in Cushing to Charles Dallas and Vesta Ma- rie (Neal) Bruce August 20, 1936. He grew up in Beckham Coun- cattle business, he sold them so he and Carole could travel the world. They took trips to the Mediterranean, Hawaii, the Holy Annual Fundraiser ty where he attended Merritt Public Schools. He met his future Land, China, and toured Europe. Not only did they travel over- wife Carole Cuthbert as he ran the Polar Whip Ice Berg root beer seas, but they also traveled the United States. The couple also based, child-friendly, and and hot dog stand with his parents and aunt and uncle. He mar- trauma-informed —_organi- went to see their grandchildren and watched them play sports, ried this sweetheart on July 4th, 1958. ‘The young man served his country in the US Army National dance, and take them on vacations.Bruce loved animals and they zations that coordinate a Guard and Reserves until 1963, when he was honorably dis- responded to his seemingly gift to communicate with them. He multidisciplinary response charged. Bruce’s passion was in education, where he served in taught one special pony, Tarzan, tricks like he would see in the to children maltreatment the profession for over 40 years. He began his teaching career in Saturday matinee westerns, Bruce’s children remembered how he allegations. They deliver a Oklahoma City’s Capitol Hill Junior High School where he was forgot to tell them not to pull on Tarzan’s reins too hard, but all named “Teacher of the Year.” the kids would take turn sliding down the pony’s back while Bruce best practice model that Leroy and Carole returned to Elk City in 1965 where he con- yelled, “Hi Ho Silver” like in the movies. brings together, often in one tinued his career at Elk City Public Schools. He began teaching ‘The beloved family man was also active in the community location, child protective biology at the junior high and then became principal of North- east Elementary School. Bruce was the high school principal un- with the First Presbyterian Church, CCOSA, the Elks Lodge of Elk services, investigators, law til he became assistant superintendent. City, and he was an honorary Rotarian. enforcement, forensic inter- According to Martin-Dugger’s obituary, one of his most Leroy and Carole are the proud parents of three daughters, viewers, prosecutor, family memorable events in education was when President Jimmy V-Anne Kemmemer and her husband Mike of Ft. Myers, Florida; advocates, and medical and Carter came to Elk City in 1978. Bruce was responsible for plac- ing the US flag on the wall behind the President's podium, which See Bruce page 9. mental health profession- Lindsay Marks als to provide a coordinated, comprehensive response to Commissioners Hear from City Supervisors By Sheryl Ponce victims and their caregivers,” Cook explained. Putting Kids First golf ‘There are approximately tournament will be held Oct. 14 locations in the state of 12th, at the Elk City Golf and Oklahoma that do pediatric Country Club. The event's SANE exams. There are only proceeds will go to the “Safe- 85 nurses in the state that do ty, Trauma, Advocacy, Re- SANE exams. Most of those sponse, Team” (S.T.A.R.T.) do adult exams, and most of the Child Advocacy Center are located in the Okla. City located in Sayre. The CDC metro and Tulsa areas. serves Beckham and Roger ‘The services for the chil- Mills Counties, and last year dren who are served by the there were 134 kids served CDC are completely free. Ac- by the non-profit organiza- cording to Marks, they are tion. never charged for anything. Elk City Police Depart- This includes any counseling ment's Captain John Cook or after care. serves as the director and “CDC's have found suc- Lindsay Marks, R.N., is the cess providing safe, neutral Sexual Assault Nurse Exam- Courtland Wood talks to Commissioners. Staff photo by Sheryl Ponce. iner (SANE). Others on the environment for children and their families where the By Sheryl Ponce They also approved declaring the two structures addressed in team include the Elk City child’s well-being is a prior- the public hearing to be dilapidated, detrimental to the public Police Department, Sayre ity. At the CDC, children Police Department, Beckham ‘The Elk City Commissioners held their regular meeting, Wed. health, safety and welfare and ordered the removal of the struc- can speak to a forensic in- County Sheriff's Depart- Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. in City Hall. Mayor Cory Spieker opened the tures. terviewer who is trained to meeting with an invocation, followed by Rocky Andresen leading ment, Roger Mill's County Resolution 2023-13 for C12458 - a resolution concern- understand child develop- the flag salute. City Inspector Jackie Addington was first on the ing Bridge Inspection Responsibility by Local Government for Sheriff, Department of Hu- ment, how to manage bias, man Services, Gina Webb agenda with the public hearing for dilapidated structures. compliance with National Bridge Inspection Standards was ap- represents the District At- and is knowledgeable in ad- torney’s office, and a mental dressing secondary trauma ‘The first structure, located at 943 W. 2nd, was tabled at the proved. ‘This resolution is consistent with what the city has done last meeting to have time to notify the mortgage company that in the past. It involves having a certified bridge inspector come and other best practices for health professional. All of holds the lien on the house. Addington said that he has not seen to Elk City to inspect the bridges within the city. these agencies work together interviewing children. This any activity or occupants at the house for the last 30 days, and Commissioners approved a one-year contract with Zoll Data he has not had any response from those he notified. No one was Systems to provide cloud-based software for EMS patient care to help children who have multidisciplinary team ap- present at the meeting on behalf of the owners. been physically or sexually proach results in better out- reporting and billing services in the amount of $24,740. Fire abused. The organization is comes for child abuse,” Cook Addington said that the next structure, located at 522 W. Ave. C, was in bad repair and he recommended it be removed. No Chief Kyle Chervenka spoke to the commissioners about the funded by grant money and continued, program and told them this would be saving the city money each their annual fundraiser. When a child comes into one was present to represent the owners of the house. month by combining the billing and patient care reports in one “The Children’s Advocacy the CDC, they are inter- The meeting then went on to the regular agenda. The com- missioners approved the minutes from the Sept. Sth meeting. See Comissioners page 2. Centers are community- See Fundraiser page 2. IM al l ogg7a" 13151 Hl 9 Weather tomorrow 8/6) fs YoEt20,Ne.76 75 cents, 10 pgs. ——Malldelvery 580.225.3000 View ontne elkcityoknews.com