October 25, 2025 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025 Weekend Edition Commissioners Hire Consultant for Northfork of Red River Water Basin Issues and Purchase Departmental Trucks By Sheryl Ponce da, presented by Marnie Tosh, total price of the project before of $20,000. Former state repre- things, as you know, you need, lobbying for approximately 20 was disapproved. It was a bid they moved forward in approv- sentative and former President and one of those that’s very im- years. He continued to say that The Elk City Commissioners received from Fence Concepts ing one part of the renovation at of SWOSU, Randy Beutler, was portant is the issue of water. I water is a very important issue at met for their regular bi-monthly and Construction, LLC, for in- a time. The other commissioners present to endorse Luke Martin’s come here to mention to you that the state capital. Western Okla- meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 15th, stallation of fencing along the agreed with a five to zero vote. agreement with the city. I fully endorse the possibility of homa is 10 to 15 years behind at 2 p.m., in City Hall. Mayor Mi- south boundary of the parking The next item on the agen- “Elk City means a lot to me, Luke (Martin) being a consultant Eastern Oklahoma on having a cah Kilhoffer opened the meet- lot at the soccer complex in the da was the approval of a nine- even though I don’t live within for the City of Elk City on this plan for water. ing with the invocation, followed amount of $11,363, with the month agreement for Consulting the city limits,” Beutler began. and other issues that are going “We saw that two years ago by the flag salute led by Rod bottom rail $4,000 for a total Services between Capital Plus, “This town has been important to be very, very important to Elk when Jackson County came af- Carver. They then approved the bid of $15,490. Carver made the LLC, and the City of Elk City re- to my family for over a century, City and all of Western Oklaho- ter the water. That effort has not minutes of the Oct 6th meeting. motion to disapprove the item, lating to Northfork of Red Riv- and I would like to see it contin- ma future.” The first item on the agen- saying he would like to know the er Water Basin in the amount ue to progress. There are certain Martin said that he has been See HIRE page 2 FOR the Brown and White Translates in Numbers By Sheryl Ponce During the Oct. school board meeting, Superintendent Mike Sparks reported the growth of Elk City’s academic outcomes compared to their peers across the state of Okla- homa. With the exception of sixth grade English Language Arts (ELA), every grade level outperformed their peers all over the state. “What the state considers college and career ready are students that perform at advanced and proficient. The Elkettes other category was students that performed at basic and above. In other words, the students that were at their grade level or better than grade level, we outperformed our peers Fast-Pitch Season Shut Down at State in every category,” Sparks explained. He went on to talk about how the students in grades three through eight would compare overall. Based on last year’s scores who are deemed college and career ready, Elk By Alex Alvarez it is to qualify for the State Tourna- City had 40 percent of the 2000 students which are con- ment, especially if you have two teams sidered college and career ready, whereas there are only There is no question that Elk City in the same region who are deserving 28 percent of peers in the state that are college and career Area had great success in Fast Pitch of a spot, as it was the case with Elk ready. Seventy-five percent of Elk City students were at ba- Softball and parents and fans followed City and Poteau. sic and above, while 59 percent of the state were at basic two great teams, the Canute Troja- The girls left for Oklahoma City the and above. nettes and the Elk City Elkettes, both same day of the first State Tournament The comparative numbers of ECPS students in the area of which gave local coaches, parents game which was scheduled at 2:00 of ELA, 34 percent of Elk City students are considered col- and fans great moments. Both teams p.m. They left with a nice and classy lege and career ready, and 24 percent of the state were col- qualified for the State Tournament in “send-off ” at 10:15 am by the Elk City their division. Police and Fire Departments, which See NUMBERS page 9 The #4 Elkettes traveled to the “big sent official vehicles to escort them all house” last Thursday to play in the the way to I-40. The Elk City Athletes State Tournament against #5 Oologah bus went through a banner on Third in the first elimination game. Previ- ously they had to win the Region- al Tournament (vs Harrah 6-4, and Street that was held by fans on both sides of the street. Once in the game, the girls looked RCCT Slates Cast for vs Sulphur 14-0), and then the Su- a little off since the beginning of the per-Regional against Poteau (2-1 and 5-4) who has one of the best pitchers in 4A and who allegedly has commit- game. Were they nervous? Did they have a good night’s rest? Pitcher Au- brey Pogue, a Senior, couldn’t find the ‘The Wizard of Oz’ ted to a Division I school, which was strike zone right away and got behind By Sheryl Ponce evident in those two games, especially in the count with several players right the first. away and the Mustangs got ahead by The next production for Elk City’s Red Carpet Any softball or baseball coach in Community Theatre will be the “Wizard of Oz.” The High School will tell you how difficult See STATE page 9 Aubrie Pogue - Strikeout show will open Friday, Dec. 5th, and run Sat. - Dec. 6th, Sun. – Dec. 7th, Friday – Dec 12th, Sat. – Dec. 13th, and close Sun. – Dec. 14th. Tickets will go on sale for season ticket holders on Mon., Dec. 1st, and Judy Haught Honored By Statewide Friends Of Libraries to the public on Tues, Dec. 2nd. Auditions were held two weeks ago, and director Ashley Underwood, with Tim Bodenstein serving as children’s director/ Friends of Libraries in Oklaho- doctor’s offices, the Health Depart- Haught balances her time among assistant director, announced the cast and crew of the ma (FOLIO) honored four Stand- ment and Emergency department many organizations. She is past show. out Friends from around Oklaho- waiting rooms. Judy is our idea president of the Friends of Librar- The music director is Sara Marie Bodenstein, and ma at a statewide meeting at the person!” says Linda Stineman, cur- ies in Oklahoma, past president the choreographer will be Marlana Marshall. Doro- Northwest Oklahoma City Library rent Elk City Friends president. of the Western Oklahoma His- thy Gale is going to be played by Lily Adkinson. The on October 18, 2025. Judy Haught, The Elk City Friends is a small torical Society, vice president of Hunk/Scarecrow is Marlana Marshall. Hickory/Tin- an active, devoted member of the group, and Haught eagerly fills in the Beckham-Roger Mills Retired man will be played by Bailey Carpenter. Zeke/Cow- Friends of the Elk City Carnegie whenever there is a need. From Educators, former Oklahoma De- ardly Lion is Lexi Mosqueda. Glinda the Good Witch Library, 221 W. Broadway Ave- sewing and filling our Bundles for partment of Libraries Board mem- is going to be Gini Smith. Almira Gulch/Wicked nue, Elk City, was recognized as a Babies project to presiding over the ber, Board member of the Friends Witch of the West is Sara Marie Bodenstein. “Standout Friend of the Library.” annual Poetry Contest. Haught is of the Oklahoma Center for the Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz is being played Judy Haught is currently serving an enthusiastic advocate for the Elk Book, and Prison Library Working by Gantt Carter. Aunt Em will be played by Joanna as vice president of the Friends of City Library. Group. Wood and Uncle Henry is Denton Wood. Emerald the Elk City Carnegie Library, and Linda continues, “Many of the She previously taught concurrent City Guard is played by Jess Cenami. Winkie Gen- has served in other officer posi- events and projects we have imple- classes in Elk City schools and also eral - Leader of the Winkies will be played by Sam tions in the local Friends. She never Judy Haught mented are because Judy initiated taught at Southwestern Oklahoma Holcomb. Nikko – Commander of the Monkeys is lets her enthusiasm for the library the idea! But beyond that, she can State University. Harper Price. nity. At her suggestion, we’ve deliv- The Ensemble/Chorus Roles include Three Crows wane. always be counted on to be there Friends of Libraries in Oklaho- ered free books to shut-ins, both – Gia Gerhold, Emily Barnes, Lexi Snyder and Three “Judy is a tireless advocate of ear- to carry out those projects. We are ma was honored with the privilege in nursing homes and meals-on- Trees – Sarah Byer, Kacey Meza, Shawna Hardin. ly childhood literacy as well as con- very grateful for the gift we have in of recognizing Judy Haught as a wheels patrons. We have provided sistently working to put books into Judy Haught. She is truly the epito- Standout Friend of the Library at free books to Urgent Care facilities, the hands of all ages in our commu- me of a Standout Friend.” the recent statewide meeting. See RCCT page 2 Weather Vol. Vol. 117,121, No.No. 54 43 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 86 / 65 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com