September 27, 2025 Issue, Page 12 of 12

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12• SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 The Elk City News You Are Invited To Attend The Upcoming Public Meeting! The Southwest Oklahoma Re- Supporting economic growth W. Main St. Contribute to the Safety Assess- gional Transportation Planning WHAT IS FORWARD 45? and quality of life PUBLIC MEETING DATES & Ft. Cobb – Thursday, October 9 ment Digital Map Survey: https:// Organization (SORTPO) invites The Forward 45 RTP is a com- This plan will direct transporta- LOCATIONS Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, sortpo.org/safety/ residents, community leaders, and prehensive, 20-year strategic plan tion priorities through 2045, cre- (All meetings run from 5:30 PM Building 400, Room 422, 1415 N. stakeholders to attend upcoming developed by SORTPO to guide ating a safer, more efficient, and – 6:30 PM. Bring a friend or neigh- 7th St. LEARN MORE public meetings to help finalize transportation decisions across more connected system across 16 bor!) Burns Flat – Tuesday, October 14 Visit www.Forward45.com for the Forward 45 Regional Transpor- the ASCOG (Association of South counties. Frederick – Mon- SWODA Office, 420 Sooner Drive more information about the For- tation Plan (RTP). Central Oklahoma Governments) day, September 29 Fletcher – Thursday, October 16 ward 45 RTP. Meeting Location: region and the SWODA (South WHY ATTEND? Great Plains Technology Center, Fletcher Community Center, 504 We look forward to your par- Broadway Center Western Oklahoma Development These meetings are your oppor- 2001 E. Gladstone Ave (Seminar W. Cole Ave. ticipation in shaping the future of 210 N. Broadway Street Authority) region. tunity to: Center) Duncan – Thursday, October 23 transportation in southwest Okla- Sayre, Oklahoma 73662 Covering all modes of travel— Learn about the planning pro- Altus – Tuesday, September 30 Red River Technology Center, homa. Date: Thursday, October 2 roads, transit, biking, walking, and cess and priorities for the next 20 Southwest Technology Center, 711 Room 506, 3300 W. Bois D’Arc Ave. Sincerely, Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM more—the plan focuses on: years W. Tamarack Rd SORTPO Staff These meetings are regionally lo- Enhancing safety for all travelers Share your ideas and local Sayre – Thursday, October 2 CAN’T MAKE IT IN PERSON? Southwest Oklahoma Regional cated to serve a 30-mile radius from Improving transportation infra- knowledge Broadway Center, 210 N. Broadway You can still participate! Transportation Planning Organi- each site—covering the largest pop- structure Help build the “wish list” of proj- St. Email your comments, ideas, or zation ulation possible. You are welcome Addressing mobility needs for ects that communities want to see Tuttle – Tuesday, October 7 project suggestions to: info@for- to attend any meeting in the series. residents of all ages prioritized in the final plan City Hall Council Chambers, 221 ward45.com Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rate to Balance Labor Market Risks OKLAHOMA CITY (Septem- Inflation pressures continue even softer job market. that balances both of its mandates: taxpayer dollars on long-term proj- Russ said, “The Federal Reserve’s ber 18, 2025) – The Federal Reserve as tariffs and other cost drivers pass Federal Reserve Chair Jerome stable prices and maximum em- ects. decision helps strike a better bal- lowered its benchmark interest rate through to consumers more slowly Powell described the decision as ployment. While mortgage markets had ance between controlling inflation by 0.25%, marking the first cut in and modestly than forecasted. As a a “risk management cut,” noting Impact for Oklahoma: largely priced in the cut, giving and protecting jobs. For Oklaho- nine months. The move reflects a result, the likelihood of a persistent monetary policy had been tilted Families, businesses, and mu- limited immediate relief for home- ma, this may mean lower costs for shift in priorities, as inflation risks inflation outbreak may have dimin- toward fighting inflation for some nicipalities will benefit from lower buyers, the move signals stronger families and businesses, as well as have moderated while concerns ished. At the same time, the U.S. time. With the labor market show- borrowing costs. support for economic stability in taxpayer savings if the state issues about a slowing labor market have economy has shown signs of cool- ing signs of weakness, the Fed is The public sector can issue bonds the months ahead. bonds for infrastructure and other grown. ing, with slower GDP growth and a moving closer to a neutral stance at more favorable rates, helping save Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd critical needs in the future.” Benefit Garage Sale to Fight Rare MERRITT Aggressive Cancer Diagnosis By Sheryl Ponce Rentals, and because he has had to said. be off work to care for Diamond, In addition, there is a Go- There will be a benefit garage their financial situation is becom- FundMe page (gofundme.com) sale to help Diamond Hernan- ing harder to manage. established for donations, called dez with her medical and travel- Diamond has been accepted as Shine Bright Like a Diamond. ing expenses as she heads to MD a patient at MD Anderson, there- The goal is to raise $12,600, to Anderson in Houston to treat her fore, the couple will be traveling date they have raised $3575. Not rare type of cancer. The sale will between Houston and Elk City. only is Diamond fighting cancer, take place Friday and Saturday, She is a waitress at Fred’s, but has her daughter Jayci was hospital- Oct. 3rd and 4th, next to D.J. Rent- been unable to work due to the ized with diagnosis of transverse als, 909 S. Main St. One hundred diagnosis. myelitis, a condition affecting her percent of the proceeds will go to “Over half-dozen families have spinal cord. Hernandez, as she fights this battle donated items for the garage sale Southard is encouraging the with cancer. so far, and we have some real- community to stand behind this Trish Southard has taken on ly good stuff, lots of name brand family with donations for the ga- the efforts to help Diamond and clothing and shoes, kitchen stuff, rage sale, monetary donations, or her husband, Anthony, with their household items, etc. Prices will any way a person could let Her- expenses through this garage sale. be very reasonable because we nandez know how much people The couple have four children, the want to sell as much as possible. care for this family. youngest being seven years old. We are giving 100 percent of the Anthony is an employee of D.J. proceeds to Diamond,” Southard September Athletes of the Month; Cole Carter and Adisyn Krueger SCAN NOW Find lost property easy by scanning the QR code or visiting: YOURMONEY.OK.GOV It only takes a minute, plus it’s free. Enter your last name to discover if you are one of over a million Oklahomans sharing more than a billion dollars in unclaimed property. September Oilers of the Month; 7th - Jacey Watkins; 8th - Brantley Estes; 9th - Yashva Gull; 10th - Aaron Partain; 11th - Amonie Weaver; 12th - Cole Carter Yes Finance We proudly support the students, staff and administration at Merritt Schools 1414 W. 3rd St., Elk City, OK Great Plains Bank ~ First National Bank 580.225.1525 LocalLoanGroup.com