December 13, 2023 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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2- The Elk City News News December 13, 2023 Round The Elk City Chamber of Commerce welcomes our Town newest member, “Farm Fresh Kids” December 14 Toy Drive - Gift Pick Up. 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Must bring approval letter and children to pick up gifts. Corn Bible Christmas Con- cert, 7:00pm - 8:00pm. December 15 Christmas in the Park Ac- tivities Open. 6PM-9PM. Reading Ranger, Carnegie Library. 4:00pm - 5:00pm. ECHS Basketball, Home - Tuttle, 4:30pm - 5:30pm December 16 Last Day Christmas in the 211 W Broadway - 580- Alisyn’s parents, Nicole and of children’s clothes, accesso- park Activities Open 821-2486 Bobby Hargues ries, and gifts. Stocked just in Alisyn and Tanner Rippe- Daryan Dickerson, Sales time for Christmas! Be sure Board toe- owners Associate ‘Their children Koen 3 (pic- Alisyn and Tanner pur- you stop by to check out all Continued from page 1. tured at the end) chased their business in May they have to offer. Koralee and Adaleigh, and opened the store in Oc- Alisyn is a born and raised lic Schools where she coached (twins that just tober of this year. Farm Fresh native of Elk City and graduat- softball, basketball, and was turned 1) Kids has a wonderful collection ed from Elk City High School. the cheer coach. Varnell’s goal is to create a culture of inclu- sivity and provide a safe, en- couraging learning environ- ment for every student and teacher to achieve success. Join the board in welcom- ing a new era in the Miss Elk City/Queen of the West com- petition, which will take place Saturday, Dec. 16th. They have worked hard to get the event to come together with little to no experience in producing such a show. Their hard work will provide scholarships to these young ladies, which will fur- ther their education and career goals. vices in the nation has skyrock- Recovery eted, and it is seen in every ru- ral area that Red Rock serves. Continued from page 1. ‘They have tried to change with the added need for services, so ma.” Campo said. She went on to say that this people are able to get help and will bring a meaningful impact return to their families. “We are committed to bet- to the lives in Elk City and sur- rounding communities. The ter mental health for this com- new facility will serve 1000s of munity. I grew up in Western individuals who struggle with Oklahoma. So these projects Wildlife Department director steps mental health issues. in Western Oklahoma that “Our (ODMH) goal is to empower individuals to regain we've done are very dear tome. control of their lives and em- Thank you for coming today. brace a brighter future, There’s We appreciate your support,” down with $169,000 severance a hub for support right here Foust said. in Elk City, and that healing By Kelly Bostian beyond his issued statement. after more than 31 years of ism Department to create the At the conclusion of the ‘The Lifetime License Trust state service, I have decided to Oklahoma Fishing Trail. journey provides counseling speakers, they gathered for the Oklahoma's top wildlife of- Fund consists of revenue from step down as Director of the Legislatively, the director and therapy, along with vari- ribbon cutting and continued ficial resigned this week and lifetime licenses sold since ODWC, effective immediately,” saw more significant challeng- ous support programs to as- departed with severance pay of 1969. The principal cannot by Strong said. es to the department than his to greet visitors, inviting them $169,341 from the Oklahoma spent, but interest investment Strong, an Oklahoma State predecessors. Most recent- sist those in their journey. In Department of Wildlife Con- income is used for department University graduate and a ca- ly, the department retained for a tour and refreshments. dosing I want to emphasize servation’s Lifetime License operations. reer civil servant, started as an oversight of Chronic Wasting our partnership with Red Rock Other visitors included the Trust Fund, A first hint of Strong’s de- environmental scientist with Disease in wildlife in the last The immediate departure parture appeared on Monday's the Oklahoma Water Resourc- session in a hard-fought battle is truly valuable,” Campo con- architect Doug Howard, board of Director JD Strong sur- regular commission meeting es Board in 1993. He was ap- against relinquishing its over- cluded. president Peggy Cunningham, prised many, but officials and agenda with a vote to enter pointed special assistant to the sight to the Department of Ag- CEO Verna Foust said that and board member Dr. Henry staff pointed to public state- an executive season to discuss Secretary of Environment in riculture. ments indicating an amicable “the employment, hiring, ap- 1996 and took the lead role as Strong was frustrated for the need for mental health ser- Townsend. departure. Wade Free, former pointment, promotion, de- Secretary in 2003 under Gov. three years trying to pass var- Assistant Director of Opera- motion, disciplining or resig- Brad Henry. He was appointed ious proposals to modernize rElkCituNews tions, was appointed Interim nation” of the Director.” The director of the Oklahoma Wa- hunting and fishing license Director. group re-emerged without the ter Resources Board in 2010 rules to allow the department Commissioners cited State director, set a special Wednes- and served until his appoint- to adjust rates and streamline Statute Title 74 in approving day meeting, and adjourned. ment with the Wildlife Depart- licensing. With no license fee the severance pay, usually of The commission again re- ment in 2016. increases in two decades, at (USPS # 173-020) fered only to employees dis- tired into executive session Under his tenure, the de- least one commission member missed or forced out as part of Wednesday to discuss the ap- partment modernized phys- has publicly described the li- 580-2: -3000 a reduction in force. One sec- pointment of the interim di- ically and digitally. The $15 censing change failures as leav- Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC tion of the statute does note rector and approve Strong's million rebuild of the depart- ing the department in an “un- 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 agencies may pay severance to resignation. Commissioners ment headquarters was com- sustainable” funding situation. “This decision is bitter- Periodic: Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 employees not covered by the approved the severance pay in pleted in 2019, the same year sweet. I have loved every min- Civil Service and Human Cap- an open meeting, and a depart- the department launched its ute of working alongside the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 964, Elk City, OK 73648 ital Modernization Act. ment press release made the GoOutdoorsOklahoma li- wonderful people that com- Officials referred further resignation public Wednesday censing and information app. prise the Oklahoma Depart- Hours: questions to the Oklahoma evening. Other highlights include cre- ment of Wildlife Conservation, Mon - Thur 9-4 + Friday 9-12 Attorney General's office, but Gaddis said that, tradition- ating the Oklahoma Wildlife watching them passionately SUBSCRIPTIONS a call was not immediately re- ally, a commission sub-com- Conservation Foundation, a and skillfully nurture a better Deliverd by mail: Sheryl Ponce....Staff Writer turned. mittee searches for a new com- private non-profit fundrais- environment for our fish and $75/yearly The department reported missioner, whom a vote of the ing organization, creating the wildlife and for the Oklaho- $50/six months Neva Pyatt... Advertising Director the director's position annual entire body will appoint. She Oklahoma Land Access Pro-mans who get to enjoy them. Zadie Eakins...Advertsing Director salary is $162,266. said a committee and replace- gram to work with landowners Our state is unquestionably No refunds on subscriptions. Citing an inability to com- ment timeline still needs to be to increase hunting and fish- better because of ODWC’s ded- ment on personnel matters, set. ing opportunities on private icated team of professionals, elkcitynews @gmail.com officials did not address the lands, expanding the depart- and I thank them for the privi- In his statement, Strong [email protected] reasons behind the departure mentions “new and exciting ment’s close-to-home fishing lege of working alongside them [email protected] or why a severance was paid. opportunities in the works.” programs for communities, for these past seven years,” Strong declined to comment “After. much prayer and and cooperating with the Tour- Strong said in his statement.