October 18, 2025 Issue, Page 2 of 12

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025 The Elk City News To help support GDB, do- BLIND nate monetarily. Because they are supported totally by pri- TRANSFORM treasurer. The church, its lead- ers, or other organizations will they must be physically capable of engaging in the workforce and out the duration of tenancy to achieve goal of financial inde- Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 not benefit or receive special show evidence of employment pendence and graduation from vate donations, and it is an im- privileges with affiliation. and have no pending criminal the program. the home; acting as a pro- portant way to help the blind Brosius went on to explain He went on to explain the charges or litigations. In his final comments Brosius gram ambassador; providing or visually impaired. This may the relationship between One funding of One Habitat. It Participants must have a talked about how others may get administrative assistance; and be done with a one-time do- Habitat and the One Church is financially independent willingness to abide by the involved. This first thing he men- supporting the mission by giv- nation or monthly donations. which included independence from One Church and funded program guidelines as require- tioned was to pray for God to use ing time and donating money. To support Guide Dogs for the from the program which has its through donations from indi- ments. The program require- the organization and collabora- GDB is always looking for Blind visit: https://secure.qgiv. own leadership. He also noted viduals and organizations. The ments say that they must regu- tive efforts to transform the com- volunteers to start their pup- com/for/createpow... the accountability that it has to revitalization and repairs will larly attend in-person worship munity. The next way to help is pies to the path of becoming Another way people may One Church as the parent or- be done with a volunteer work- services at a local congregation; to volunteer, which could mean a guide dog. It is a service help the blind or visually im- ganization. One Habitat is an force. They will also be looking must be employed and remain to help fulfill a role by being on a project where the equipment paired person is through an app independent non-profit orga- to apply for government and/or employed while in the pro- remodeling team, a maintenance and learning materials are called, “Be My Eyes.” The app is nization that has its own elect- state funded grants, and finally gram; must publicly disclose team, or administrative team. free because the dog needs to free and uses a smartphone to ed Board of Directors that is they will be rental properties to income details to an authorized Finally, Brosius said that the be prepared as a future guide get instant, visual descriptions open to any individual living in assist with funding. representative of the program; ministry will rely on monetary dog. They need to be comfort- anytime, day or night. It is a way Elk City who meet certain re- To be eligible to be accepted must be drug free or enrolled and material donations. He re- able at school, on the bus, at to connect with a volunteer, quirements. The officers must into the program, a person or in substance abuse program; ferred to the QR code or go to the beach, or in a restaurant. who provides real-time descrip- be members of One Church in family must be below a certain must submit to regular housing https://ticsms.co/06/12 to find Wherever a person goes in tions and assistance. good standing. This includes income level, which will be de- inspections; and work closely out more about the program, daily life, the puppy gets to go The user can take a picture the chairperson, secretary, and cided in the future. Additionally, with a case manager through- how to help, and how to donate. also. Each puppy must also be and let Be My AI describe it or playful dogs. reach out to a partner through No experience is necessary the Service Directory for help with a product. Be My Eyes “This year, we are feeding more rundown of the numbers of gains a night, even if you just give us five in puppy raising, and can be any age, but volunteers need is the largest online commu- nity of people who are blind AUDIT kids than we’ve ever fed before, and they’re getting good meals, and it and losses in each grade, noting that these are students coming in minutes, and here’s why this helps your child. With some of the fed- to be attentive learners, adapt- Continued from page 1 able in different situations, or have low vision who can doesn’t cost them anything,” Sparks and out of the district, not transfers. eral money we’ve been given, Mrs. along with knowing that it connect with volunteers or explained. The following staff were ap- (Cindy) Buckmaster is going to be specialist company represen- ed as well as the larger equipment, takes effort and hard work. Storm then went on to the next proved for the 25-26 school year, able to buy books that families will tatives. Volunteers download such as busses, vehicles, or other The most important ingre- item on the agenda, which was the pending proper certification; Brit- actually get to keep, that they can the app and wait for a call to large items that need to be added dient in being a puppy raiser approval of Gwen Eads being hired tany Lewis as teachera’ assistant at take home. The challenge is going assist someone or be their to inventory. After the report was is to love puppies and enjoy as an adjunct Intermediate math the Elementary and Intermediate; to be either to send a picture or a eyes, answering their ques- completed, Sparks explained to the providing a service. Puppy teacher. Sparks said that she is a Ray Soto as paraprofessional at the video of you and your child read- tions and helping with every- board that there was a trailer that raising for GDB is typically in retired teacher from Texas. Hiring Intermediate; Heather Ellis as para- ing hashtag Elk City Schools. We day tasks. had just been delivered and not Arizona, California, Colorado, her as adjunct teacher who will be professional at the Intermediate; believe it’s a way that we can help Download the free app on added to inventory yet. Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, certified in Oklahoma faster but Jennifer Hodge as paraprofessional parents understand what a huge smartphone to begin to help. The three suggestions to be not- Utah, and Washington. will not be included in the Teacher at the Intermediate; Mireya Cotts role they play in kids’ success. It’s ed for the future, but he assured the Retirement System. as a teacher’s assistant, Title 1, in not just the teachers and the kids. board that overall, the district is in The board approved a resolution the Elementary; and Dusty Cloud We are really excited about it.” good standing. Without questions for a Board of Education Prima- as Title 1 teacher in the Elementary. The other things that Sparks told from the board, they continued to ry Election of Board of Education Sparks explained that because the the board included the partnership approve the consent agenda. That Office #1 for a five-year term. The federal programs funding budget with the City of Elk City in redoing included the approval of the Sept. election will be held on Tuesday, was late, they were just now being the backstop at the baseball field to .8th, board minutes and financial Feb. 10th, 2026, only if three or able to hire additional personnel. have a free-standing net. The poles transactions. more candidates file for the posi- In the Superintendent’s report, will be eliminated and function In the Superintendent’s Financial tion. A Board of Education General Sparks talked numbers to the more like a big-league ballpark. Report, Sparks told the board that Election shall be held on Tuesday, board. He reported that the test This district enrollment is down the budget this year is $21,867,001, April 7, 2026, under the following scores were above state numbers 66 kids compared to the same time but they do not want to spend $21 circumstances: if only two candi- of the students who are college and as last year. This is consistent as million, which would be financial- dates file for a position or if no can- career ready. He gave credit to the when school began. ly risky. He said that the target is to didate in the Board of Education teachers and students who are con- He said Darla Patterson resigned spend $18.5 to $19 million for the Primary Election receives more tinually improving. to accept another position. Sparks year. There is approximately $15.5 than 50 percent of the votes cast. “What I really like about this is,” also talked about the meaning million in new money, and the The polling places shall be open he said, “not one time have we ever of FOR the Brown and White, other portion is coming from car- from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The filing asked a kid to pass the test. Not one along with how it is translating to ryover funds. period for this office will be from 8 time have we ever demanded that the students and teachers. Storm Sparks went on to praise the a.m. to 5 p.m. in the County Elec- a teacher makes a kid pass the test. commented how impressed he has food nutrition director, Jacy Dyson tion Board, Monday, December 1, We simply said, ‘What do our kids been with the reports of teachers and staff. He said that the district 2025, through Wednesday, Decem- know? What don’t they know? And working with teachers in different loses 16 cents for every lunch that (USPS # 173-020) ber 3, 2025. let’s help them. Let’s work together.’ subjects. He also asked about what is served, but for every breakfast 580-225-3000 Because the changes in the dis- And as you can see, the system we college and career ready means to that is served the district gains 41 trict lines, Sparks said that they had have in place benefits our kids.” students here and across the state, Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC cents. During the month of August, to re-align and look at the bound- A full report of those results will which Sparks explained that when 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 the breakfasts served have been in- aries of the position. This is the be in the next edition of the Elk students’ test scores are at grade Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 creasing. They are serving smooth- position that Kris Waters currently City News. level or above, they are considered ies that are popular, increasing the holds. Sparks then announced a pre-k headed toward being prepared for POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO BOX 964, Elk City, OK 73648 popularity of breakfast. Sparks also The board also approved the through sixth grade reading chal- college or a career. told them that adding the second Transfer Capacity Limits for Elk lenge, “We’re going to give out in- The meeting adjourned at 6:40 Sheryl Ponce, chance breakfast is also popular, SUBSCRIPTIONS with 72 students taking advantage City Public Schools to accept stu- formation to parents about why it’s p.m. The next meeting will take Deliverd by mail: Staff Writer dent transfers at each site and grade so important that your kids hear place Nov. 10th, at 6 p.m., in of it. The district made $1000 in $50/yearly print only level. Sparks said that this is a quar- you read. We’re going to challenge the Board of Education’s Board Neva Pyatt, August. $60/yearly print & online terly function. He gave the board a every family to spend five minutes Room. $40/online only Advertising Director No refunds on subscriptions. Gina Jones, [email protected] Advertising Director [email protected] Nancy Karnowski, ECNclassifi[email protected] CSR OBITUARIES Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices Whether it being hunting, fishing, Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual John Wayne Greer or just hot rodding in his truck. When not traveling, he spent most resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as of his time remodeling his and John Wayne Greer was born on before he retired, he drove a truck cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the Reva’s home..... with anything she October 28, 1937 to James Samu- for Hamm and Phillips. could dream up. practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. el and Katie Alice (White) Greer John was saved and baptized He is preceded in death by his south of Erick in “the breaks”. He when he was 13 at the Erick First For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: passed away peacefully on October Baptist Church. He was an active wife Reva, parents James and Katie Greer, brothers Leroy, Leon, Ken- 10, 2025 at the age of 87 years, 11 member of the Burns Flat Baptist Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator months, and 12 days. Church. Shortly before his retire- neth, Glen, Don, and sister Jane. John is survived by his children John grew up south of Erick as ment, John was diagnosed with the Holli Brittain, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES the second youngest with his five final stages of cancer and given 30 Johnnie Greer (local), Rocky Greer and wife Coletta of Sweetwater, brothers Leroy, Leon, Kenneth, days to live. John convalesced in OK, and Randy Greer and wife SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: Glen, Don and one sister Jane. He the mountains of Angel Fire, New Karen of Olathe, KS; grandchil- attended school in Erick. On No- Mexico and stretched that 30 days • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) vember 16, 1957, he married Reva into 20 years. John loved anything dren Rocsy Carlisle (Chris) and • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic their children Zoe and Abby, Heidi May Stone at the Buffalo Baptist with a motor especially if it was Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) • End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Jo McManaman (Clint) and their Church in Sweetwater, OK and to loud. He was a past president of children Conner and Maylee, Cory • End Stage Liver Disease • End Stage Renal Disease • AIDS/HIV this union three children were born the Gold Wing Road Riders Asso- Lynne Myers (Aaron) and their • End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s Johnnie, Rocky, and Randy. He was ciation. children Elli Kate and Ana Beth, a jack of all trades and held many John and Reva had visited for- Brandy Norris and her children various jobs such as automobile ty-nine of the fifty states, only Jaylinn and Braydn, Val Yoder (Eli- Professional, Passionate mechanic for Lalicker Chevrolet, managed the shipping and logistics lacking Alaska, with him driving and her reading the map. He loved jah) and their children Titan and Cash, Kristi Janeway (Jevyn) and Advance, Attentive ... for Collins and Aikman, field ser- going to the stock car races and their children Jayten and Hayden; vice mechanic for Swaco, managed playing with his dune buggies in Our Difference is Our Care manufacturing facilities for Rob- the North Fork Riverbeds. He pre- many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends. ertsons, and for the last 10 years, ferred to spend his time outdoors. Have you ever considered becoming a hospice volunteer? A fulfulling experience in the spirit of giving and receiving. Warren Aughtry Lackey Warren Aughtry Lackey was ended his working career with the born October 4th, 1952 in Braw- Weatherford Cooperation in the ley, California to Elsie Mae (Zum- early 2000’s but continued with his walt) and Lee Aughtry Lackey. He own side businesses. Warren loved passed away Saturday, September animals and raised ostriches, emus 13th, 2025 at the age of 72 years, 11 and potbelly pigs and enjoyed driv- months and 9 days. ing and racing stock car’s. Warren grew up in the Herring He was preceded in death by his Jones, Lilly Boyd, Reagan Hunter, and Cheyenne communities and parents and grandparents and one Maelee Hunter, and Kit Hunter; 1 was raised by Lee and Helen Lack- grandson, James Cole. sister, Barbara Lackey, El Reno, OK ey. He attended school in Cheyenne Warren is survived by his 2 and a host of other relatives and graduating in 1970 and immedi- daughters, Amanda Hunter and friends. ately began his career in the oil husband, Chris, Elk City, OK The family will be having a Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving and natural gas industry. He made and Kristal Lackey, Hobbs, NM; graveside service on Sunday, Oc- Carrie Perry, RN central western Oklahoma since 2011. his home in Oklahoma where he 7 grandchildren, Xavier Lackey, tober 19, 2025 at 4:00 P.M. at the raised his family. He formally Mannuel Castro, Kaibry’Anna Cheyenne Cemetery.