July 26, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Media’s Beckham County INSIDE Media’s Beckham County ce Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Readers’ Choi Ford Hottest List Ackley Park Barber-Dyson has been selected as the Hottest List County Dealership in Beckham the Hottest Car/Truck has been selected as Ackley Park on in Beckham County the Hottest Park/Recreati s has been selected as Totally Outdoor Elk City News County Destination in Beckham The the Hottest Outdoor Fun has been selected as ACE Hardware Beckham County Elk City News County oor Gear Store in Beckham The TTE HOTTEST has been selected as the Hottest Hunting/Outd BUSINESSES Hibbett Sports Beckham County Elk City News County 2023 2025 Store in Beckham The TT HOTTEST the Hottest Hardware has been selected as Beckham County BUSINESSES Elk City News County 2023 Store in Beckham 2025 TT Hottest Sporting Goods The HOTTEST Beckham County BUSINESSES Elk City News 2023 2025 The TTE HOTTEST Beckham County BUSINESSES Elk City News 2023 Media’s Beckham County 2025 The TT HOTTEST Beckham County BUSINESSES Media’s ce 2023 Beckham County 2025 Readers’ Choi TT HOTTEST BUSINESSES Media’s ce 2023 Beckham County 2025 Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Readers’ Choi Hottest List & Cafe United has been selected as the Hottest List & Spirits Main Street Bakery has been selected as the Hottest Grocery Store in Beckham County Ladonna’s Wine Hottest Bakery in Beckham County the has been selected as TJ’s Taco Truck the Hottest Liquor Store in Beckham County The Elk City News Atwoods has been selected as Beckham County the Hottest Food Truck in Beckham County City News TT HOTTEST & Cycle has been selectedd as BUSINESSES McAlary ATV Elk City N County 2023 2025 Store in Beckham The the Hottest Farm/Feed has been selected as Hottest ATV Dealership in Beckham County City News Beckham County The Elk City N Media’s Beckham County The Elk City News TT HOTTEST BUSINESSES Beckham County Media’s ce 2023 Beckham County 2025 Readers’ Choi TT HOTTEST BUSINESSES Media’s ce 2023 Beckham County 2025 Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham Countyy Med ia’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s Readers’ Choi Hottest List hoice Readers’ Ch oi ce Hottest List Readers’ Choi & Cafe Hottest List Prairiefire Grille Main Street Bakery has been selected as the Hottest List Country Dove has been selected as the in Beckham County Hottest Restaurant - Best Lunch Spot in Beckham County - Best Dinner Spot has been selected as the Hottest Restaurant Braum’s Elk City News in Beckham County - Best Lunch Spot The & Cafe has been selected as the Hottest Restaurant Beckham County Main Street Bakery Hottest Fast Food in Beckham County City News TT HOTTEST the Braum’s has been selected as BUSINESSES Elk City N 2023 Beckham County 2025 Hottest Catering in The the has been selected as Hottest Fast Food in Beckham County City News Beckham County The Elk City N Beckham County The Elk City News TT HOTTEST BUSINESSES Beckham County Media’s 2023 Media’s ce 2025 TT HOTTEST Beckham County Readers’ Choi BUSINESSES 2023 ce 2025 ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Beckham County Media’s ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List ce Readers’ Choi Hottest List Readers’ Choi Hottest List Grub Ackley Park Axe Throwing & the has been selected as Hottest List County Mountain Man’s the Hottest Family Activity Destination in Beckham has been selected as Blockhouse Destination in Beckham County the Hottest Adult Activity Shop has been selected as Keith’s Butcher Elk City News County Hottest Bar in Beckham The and Cafe the has been selected as Beckham County Main Street Coffee Hottest Butcher Shop in Beckham County The Elk City News TT HOTTEST the & Cafe has been selected as Beckham County BUSINESSES Main Street Bakery Elk City News 2023 in Beckham County 2025 Hottest Coffee Shop The TT HOTTEST the has been selected as Beckham County BUSINESSES in Beckham County Elk City News 2023 2025 - Best Breakfast Spot The TT HOTTEST Hottest Restaurant Beckham County BUSINESSES Elk City News 2023 2025 The TT HOTTEST Beckham County BUSINESSES Media’s Elk City News Beckham County 2023 2025 The TT HOTTEST Beckham County BUSINESSES Media’s Beckham County ce 2023 2025 R aders’ Choi TT HOTTEST ESSES SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2025 Weekend Edition Commissioners Face Light Agenda and Hear Financial Review By Sheryl Ponce Andresen gave the invocation and the approval from the extension/de- struction, LLC, for terminal construc- a budgeted item, was also approved. led the flag salute. They then approved ferral of the due date for the first line tion in the amount of $144,973, a bud- The commissioners approved the The Elk City Commissioners met the minutes of the July 7th meeting, of construction loan for the new fire geted item, was approved. This change Pay App #14 for Joe D. Hall General Wednesday, Juccccy 16th, at 2 p.m., for and they went on to approve the first station and police station renovation order was on the last agenda, but the Contractors for the Elk City Fire and their bi-monthly meeting in City Hall. item. They approved the lease agree- with First National Bank & Trust, from itemized numbers were not accurate, Police Construction in the amount of Rocky Andresen stood in for Mayor ment between the City of Elk City and 7/31/2025 to 7/31/2026. According therefore, the item was delayed until $786 ,944, a budgeted item and prog- Micah Kilhoffer with Rick Shelton also the Elk City Motocross Park. The man- to city treasurer Jennifer Rainey, this this commissioner’s meeting. ress payment. absent from the proceedings. Commis- ager of the lease agreement was present would extend the date so the construc- The Change Order PCCO #13 for Joe The next item on the agenda was the sioners Andresen, Rod Carver, and Jeff and asked the commissioners to allow tion will be completed, and it will go D. Hall General Contractors for the Elk approval of Purchase Orders for FY 24- Waters continued with the business of access to the water truck. into a completed construction loan. City Fire Station and the Elk City Police the city. The next item on the agreement was The Change Order #9 from WP Con- construction in the amount of $37,973, See REVIEW page 2 Community Mourns Pillar in Elk City By Sheryl Ponce It would seem impossible to lose a man like Gene Wilcox Smith, Jr. He has been instrumental and intentional in everything he has done and accom- plished throughout his life and in the community of Elk City. Smith was born Jan. 5th, 1943, in Sayre, and passed away on Tues., July 16th, in Elk City’s Great Plains Regional Medical Center with his family by his side. Smith was the son of Gene Wil- cox Smith, Sr., and Virginia Bell GENE WILCOX Campbell Smith. He graduated SMITH, JR. from Elk City High School, where he was a leader and athlete. He went to Boys’ State; elected to be president of his ju- nior class; starting quarterback on the football team, with a 16-4 record; and Smith served as Student Council President his senior year. As he went on to study at the University of Okla- homa, he served as vice-president of Sigma Nu Fra- ternity and later became their president. Due to his intention to join the Air Force, Smith became in- volved in ROTC and earned the rank of colonel. He New Financial Wealth Firm Opens was selected to be the Vice Wing Commander of the Air Force ROTC Wing that was comprised of 8,000 students. After college, Smith was a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the USAF. By Shery Ponce investments that fit them personally. They spend time He went to USAF pilot training at Vance Airforce asking questions to make sure they understand the Last week Justin Koch announced that the new client and what they may be looking into. Then they See MOURNS page 2 firm called CopperSky Wealth would be open at their provide advice and guidance on their financial life temporary location, 900 W. 3rd St., in Elk City. Koch and plan wholistically. is a wealth advisor and president of the company. “Most folks now days are investors already. For Kari Payne has joined him as a wealth advisor and some, it’s a 401k plan through work. For others, it’s a investment analyst, and Joy York is the client service business, farm or ranch. Often, people just don’t know associate. that they are already making investment decisions in “We created CopperSky to fill a gap in the wealth their daily lives. We are a good fit for people who are advise availability in Western Oklahoma. We bring in that transition phase of life. Those that have inflec- world class access and solutions for business owners tion points and need guidance in big moment,” Koch and successful families that are typically only found in explained. larger metropolitan areas. We do it in a way that feels He said that they are in a relationship business. more authentic and personal than what you would Therefore, the hardest part of what he does is when typically find in those larger areas,” Koch said. someone to help you figure it out,” Koch continued. one of his clients passes away. He went on to explain that CopperSky is different The company is independent, and part of a net- “We truly do life with the people that hire us. We because they do transitions. The name came from the work called Sanctuary. Koch said that independence are there in the good times and in the hard times. beautiful sunrises and sunsets that are seen in West- can mean a lot of different things. They wanted to The hardest part for me is when one of our friends is ern Oklahoma. make sure that they had access to all the services that called home,” he added. “Just like the transitions from night to day, or day were creating the gap in their market. Koch likes seeing clients succeed and seeing them to night, we help people navigate life’s big moments. “Through Sanctuary’s network of elite advisors and achieve things that they never thought they could do. Most of these times are good, exciting times, like practices, we have those assets for us on behalf of our He loves it when clients get to do the things that are the sale of a business or a big promotion at work, a clients,” he noted. most important to them. retirement or a wedding. Occasionally, they are the Recommending the type of investment that Cop- He said, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I think hard times, like the loss of a loved one and navigating perSky offers seems to be a common misconception people are intimidated to call and ask for some help, all the financial challenges, while grieving that loss. We are built for those times in life that you just need in the financial industry. The company is not the in- vestment, personally, but they match clients up with See WEALTH page 7 RCCT’s Summer Youth Camp Presents ‘Addam’s ECPS Professional Development Sparks a Community Movement Family, Young@Part’ By Sheryl Ponce district-wide and in that he has inspired groups and in- things happen for people,” Sparks ex- By Sheryl Ponce community-wide dividuals to develop strategies to help plained. What seemed like a normal summer speaker on August them grow. He worked for the Atlanta He believes that Henderson’s mes- The Red Carpet Community Theatre’s youth sum- professional development conference 11 in Elk City. Braves, Callaway Gardens, Chick-fil-A sage is for everyone. Sparks has invited mer camp has been in full swing, preparing for their for Elk City Public School Superin- H e n d e r s o n’s and North Point Ministries. local business leaders, Elk City leaders, production of “Addam’s Family Young@Part.” The tendent, Mike Sparks, and the school book, “FOR,” is a “His message is for the ‘FOR,’ in our and civic organizations to attend the show opens Friday, July 25th, at 7:30 p.m., and runs board has transpired into a districtwide growth strategy for case, a school. The companies that can professional development day, where through Sat., July 26th, at 7:30 p.m., and closes Sunday, and community movement called, HENDERSON work, and an even identify what they stand for, that’s not Henderson will be speaking to the July 27th, at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on their “FOR the Brown and White.” The better strategy for good enough. Your customers ought to school district. website at www.rcct.org. guest speaker at the conference was au- life. The theme is geared for individuals be able to say what you stand for, and “I would like to see this be an en- The show is a comedy that embraces the crazy antics thor and nationally known motivation- and groups to know what they are FOR. when the customer and what they be- tire community project. I’ll tell you of the original Addam’s Family story of the past. The al speaker, Jeff Henderson. Sparks and Henderson was named by Forbes Mag- lieve you stand for, and the company the biggest thing where this comes father’s nightmare that sees Wednesday Addams fall in the board members were so impressed azine as one of 20 speakers that should and what the company believes they with his message that he will be the be booked. His career is inspirational stand for match. That’s when great See SPARKS page 2 See RCCT page 2 Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 30 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 97 / 72 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com