March 22, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025 Weekend Edition Elk City Sales Tax Returns Surpasses Expectations By Sheryl Ponce Looking back over Elk City’s sales tax returns in 2024, the total income was $15,114,154. When Winners of the 2025 Benchmark 2 awards. compared to other towns comparable in popula- tion of 11,354, Elk City outshines towns such as Clinton’s $6,351,060 with a population of 8,951; GAS Celebrates Second Benchmark Winners Weatherford’s $12,796,440 with a population of 11,901; Altus’ $13,499,465 with a population of 18,162; Woodward’s $13,145,790 with a popula- By Sheryl Ponce this program was an initiative drive to assist the tion of 11,876; Sayre’s $1,636,229 with a popu- teachers and students in their achievements on lation of 4,435; and El Reno’s $13,059,449 with Elk City’s GAS, Inc., along with the ECPS lead- benchmark testing. Elk City’s superintendent a population of 20,925. Two city’s that brought ership, ECHS leadership, teachers and students, Mike Sparks stepped on the stage to address the in more than Elk City were Yukon’s $28,055,703 have blazed a path for scholastic achievement student body. with a population of 28,793 and Chickasha’s with a promotional program that has started to “We are setting our kids up for that next step See TAX page 3 pay forward in student’s future goals and success. and what it looks like. This program is about Last Thursday morning, March 14th, in a school- looking at you as an individual, and how can we wide assembly the winners of the second bench- help prepare you,” Sparks began. mark testing results were recognized and given “How can we help you dream to be something gift cards by GAS CEO Jordan Williamson, CTO that you didn’t realize existed? How can we take Jonathan Williamson, COO Levi Richardson, IT your interests and help set you up for success? Analyst Randy Hayward, Office Manager Teresa That is where the program came from, and that’s Elwood, Assistant Dylan Miller, and IT Director the idea behind it. People that have success and Dustin Compton. see more opportunities will dream bigger than “We’ve done these a few times now, and once what they ever dreamed. They will also go above again, they (GAS) are concerned about your ac- and beyond, because they have more confidence ademics, and want to help you do better. Hope- to do things. I’m so thankful for your (GAS) fully it is helping you guys to try harder on your partnership with us to help promote this for ev- benchmarks and eventually help with your state ery one of you in here.” testing outcomes,” high school principal Jamie He went on to talk about the mock interviews ECPS Superintendent Mike Sparks talking to the McClure said opening the assembly. students about achievement and accomplish- Jordan Williamson then told the students that See GAS page 3 ments. Evan Brooks and Montana Matheson celebrating with the Elk City Chamber of Commerce at their new business, TLC. Elk City Chamber Welcomes People Empowered TLC Rentals Joins By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Chamber of Com- DiSC is a personal assessment tool used to help improve teamwork, communication, and productivity the Chamber merce held a ribbon cutting for in the workplace. By Sheryl Ponce their newest member, “People Em- Joined by her husband, Pat Wal- powered,” which Cynda Walter ter, and friends, Chad and Jenny The Elk City Chamber of Commerce traveled is the founder and president. The Drury, along with their daughter to Canute to welcome TLC Rentals to the cham- company offers human resources Addi Drury, Walter held the ribbon ber. The company is owned by Evan Brooks, consulting, leadership develop- cutting in the Chamber office on Montana Matheson, and Monte Matheson. ment, executive coaching, cur- Main Street, with members of the They are in Canute, south on N. 2080 Rd. riculum of up to 12 months with Chamber and their representatives “Our restrooms are meticulously sanitized, monthly modules, and complete present. scrubbed and air freshened after every use,” training and applications. To find out more about People Brooks posted on the company’s Facebook Walter earned a master’s degree Empowered, call 970-467-3737 or page. in organizational leadership and is go to www.people-empowered.pro Call them at 580-472-3805 and go to www. Cynda Walter and husband Pat Walter, Chad Drury, Jeny Drury, and Addi a “DiSC” assessment practitioner. or [email protected]. Drury. tlcrentals.com for any additional information. Mental Health Discussed at Rotary Meeting By Sheryl Ponce tal health nurse practitioner who When her twin sons approached works for Psychiatric Wellness. graduation from high school, she The Elk City Rotary Club met Previously she worked in the Elk decided to return to school to get for their regular meeting Thursday City Public School system from her practitioner’s master’s degree. at noon in the Elk City Golf and 2011 to 2023 as the school nurse. She graduated in 2023, and began Country Club with president Rob “I loved it, absolutely loved being working for psychiatric partners. Stephens presiding. The Rotarian a school nurse, up until COVID. Although the main office is in of the Day was Basil Weatherly After that, it changed it for me. I Oklahoma City, she saw the need whose guest speakers were Sarah saw the need for mental health in for mental health in Elk City. Senger and Lauren Shelton who our community, just through not “I work with six other nurse talked to the group about their only what our students were going practitioners. We all do psychiat- practices in the mental health in- through, but our teachers, our par- ric mental health, and we also have dustry. ents, and everybody needed some- Senger is a psychiatric men- one to talk to,” Senger began. See ROTARY page 2 Sarah Senger Lauren Shelton Shannon McAbee respectfully asks for your vote for Mayor on Tuesday April 1st. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Authorized and paid for by Basil Weatherly, 1601 N Washington, Elk City, OK 73644 580-821-2795 Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 12 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 67 / 42 75 75 cents, cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com