September 13, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 Weekend Edition ECPS Board Approves Estimate of Needs and Hears Dropout and College Remediation Report By Sheryl Ponce ing to order and without public com- which meant only seven students had He continued to note that between see it with COVID. We’ve seen that a ments, high school principal, Jamie to take remedial English courses. In the English and Math, scores have been lot of our dropouts are kids that have The Elk City School Board met for McClure, went over the latest Drop Out area of math, they dropped one per- higher in English, but those trends just left the district, and we don’t know their regular meeting Monday, Sept. 8th, and College Remediation Report with centage point, where 10 of the 71 stu- seemed to be changing. where they went. We don’t get a records at 6 p.m., in the Administration’s Board the board. dents needed remediation. In reading “I think we’re still pretty good in En- request,” McClure said. Room. Katie Archer presided over the McClure said that in the English area, there were only four students out of 71 glish and our math has been improving. After answering a couple of ques- meeting in the absence of President they dropped two percentage points who went to college that were consid- I try to keep about five years of data in Brandon Storm. After calling the meet- out of 71 students that went to college, ered remedial. the dropout report, to where you can See BOARD page 2 ECPD Provides Training for Senior Citizens By Sheryl Pond Ponce As the number of scams and scammers target senior citizens, Elk City Police Department’s As- sistant Chief, John Cook, provided a training for those 55 years of age and older. The event took place Thursday, Sept. 4th, from Best of the Best in the Annual West 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Elk City’s Western Technology Center. Cook invited Kevin Mc- Cullough and Carissa King to be the guest speakers. McCullough Central Oklahoma Kennel Club JOHN COOK is an Investigator Outreach from the Oklahoma Department of Securities. He talked to the group about investments and how to keep them By Sheryl Ponce Lacey Syzemore serves as the sec- safe. King is the Founder and an Attorney with retary. Kent Herbel, Bonnie Smith, King Legal, PLLC. President of the Western Oklaho- and Lori Herbel are on the board of According to Cook, “This session provided ma Kennel Club, Robert Newcomb, directors. The organization was es- valuable information on how to recognize and has once again brought the AKC li- tablished in 1994, and they are ded- protect yourself from scams, fraud, and other fi- censed show to Elk City from Thurs., icated to the ethical and responsible nancial threats. It was a fantastic opportunity to Sept. 4th, through Sun., Sept 7. The ownership and breeding of pure- gain the tools needed to stay financially safe and shows include an all-breed dog bred dogs. secure in today’s world.” show, obedience trials and rally trials The Elk City community has wel- – unbenched. The show has devel- comed the group for over 20 years. See TRAINING page 8 oped a strong tradition of hospitality As the dog owners and handlers and quality throughout the club. present their competitive dogs in the Other officers of the club include ring, spectators came out to watch Newcomb as president; Dr. Carmen the novelty of watching the display Herbel Spears, Vice President; Car- of quality breeding, sportsmanship, olyn A Herbel is the treasurer; and talent, and love for their dogs. Kevin McCullough Mountain Man’s Axe Throwing and Grub Celebrates Five Years By Sheryl Ponce Rotarians Talk Commerce with Rep. Brian Hill In 2020, Cory and Christie Spieker set out on a journey of food, fun, and family in their new venture called, Mountain Man’s Axe Throwing By Sheryl Ponce Oklahoma and kids here; we educate them here; the leadership team start working and Grub. The new venue for axe throwing and then began to talk we raise them here; and then they on this idea of a workforce initia- dining on original recipes has blazed their path The Elk City Rotary Club wel- about his per- move away to find their rock,” Hill tive statewide,” Hill said. for family gatherings, birthday parties, and even comed Representative Brian Hill sonal history and said. He continued, “I started bring- baby showers. at their regular noon meeting last how he became He wanted Oklahoma to do ing together business leaders, em- The Spieker’s celebrated five years in their Thursday, in the Elk City Golf and involved at the better, so children would choose ployers, stakeholders, and agen- unique building on the corner of 7th and Main Country Club. Hill was a guest of Capitol. to remain in the state. Hill then cies. We brought them all into Street. They continue to thrive as an axe throw- David Atkinson and Representa- REP. BRIAN “I ran for office turned to Archer’s contributions the room and said, ‘Who owns ing establishment, but they seemed to have tive Nick Archer who introduced HILL originally, eight to current legislation. He said that workforce now?’ The funny part drawn a stronger following in the food side of him. While Atkinson welcomed years ago, in 2018. I started door Archer came in with a vengeance, was, when I did that, 30 agen- the business. Archer, Archer spoke highly of his knocking, and I had this one idea. working on economic develop- cy directors raised their hand, so Cory came up with the “Sasquatch” pizza that association with Hill since he has ‘How did we build in Oklahoma, ment for Western Oklahoma. everybody believed (they owned he says is based on a jalapeno popper. The time been in the House. where our kids and our grandkids “It was in the preaching of mem- workforce), but no one was having and effort put into each food item that leaves Hill began his talk by explain- are moving to Texas for the ca- bers that were living it and feeling, communication.” the restaurant is done to perfection. According ing how much he loves Oklahoma. reer?’ For many of us, that’s been that I became a believer in how we He showed a short video about the Oklahoma story. We have our do this. Nick and I and several of See ROTARY page 2 See AXE page 7 Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 37 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 74 / 62 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com