January 24, 2026 Issue, Page 12 of 13

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NEWS 12• SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2026 Oklahoma Corrections seizes millions in contraband during 2025 OSU Alumni Association inducting Rick Muncrief into the OSU Hall of Fame STILLWATER, Okla. (Jan. 13, 2026) – Rick Muncrief of Edmond, Oklahoma, is one of four honorees being inducted into the Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame. The OSU Alumni Association is hosting the induction ceremony Friday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Induction into the OSU Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed by the university upon an individual. It recognizes alumni and former students with outstanding lifetime achievements in society and professional life. Muncrief graduated from OSU in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering technology. Muncrief is the former president and chief executive officer of Devon Energy, one of the largest energy producers in the U.S. He was named CEO upon the merger of Devon and WPX Energy, where he previously served as CEO and chairman of the board. Prior to joining WPX in 2014, he served as senior vice president, operations and resource development of Continental Resources, Inc. From 1980 to 2007, he served in various technical and leadership capacities with ConocoPhillips and its predecessor companies, Burlington Resources, Meridian Oil and El Paso Ex- Rick Muncrief ploration. He is currently on the board of directors of Williams Companies and serves on the compensation and management development committee and the environmental, health and safety committee. Muncrief currently serves as vice chair of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum board in Oklahoma City, and is a board member of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation in Baltimore where he chairs the STEM committee. He also serves on the energy committee of the Dallas Federal Reserve, is a member of the All-American Wildcatters and serves on the board and executive committee of the OKC Chamber of Commerce. Muncrief is a former member of American Petroleum Institute board of directors and executive committee and has been named The Elk City News the 2025 recipient of API’s prestigious Gold Medal Award. He is also a past chairman and director of American Exploration & Production Council, where he recently received the inaugural American Energy Vision Award. In 2023, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Oil and Gas Association. Muncrief serves on two advisory committees at his alma mater: The Human Performance & Nutrition Research Institute and the Hamm Institute of American Energy. He was also recognized as a distinguished alumnus and was inducted into the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Gail, have been married 45 years and are the parents of two grown children and four grandchildren. The Muncriefs are active in their church, are both huge sports fans and enjoy their farming and ranching operations near Elk City, Oklahoma. Muncrief is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association. This year’s other inductees include Roger Cagle, John W. Smith and Dr. James B. Wise. For more information about the 2026 OSU Hall of Fame honorees, visit okstatealumni. org/awards. The 2026 induction ceremony is sold out and will be streamed live on okla.st/okstateu on Friday, Feb. 13. OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Corrections seized millions of dollars in contraband during 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to protect staff, inmates and the public and to disrupt illegal activity inside state correctional facilities. The seizures result from joint efforts by facility staff and the Office of the Inspector General. Contraband was confiscated from inmates, staff members and individuals attempting to smuggle illegal items into facilities through visits, drones, perimeter drops and other methods. In 2025, ODOC confiscated: Methamphetamine: 48 pounds – estimated prison value $2,177,243 Marijuana: 261 pounds – estimated prison value $1,657,427 THC wax: 50 pounds – estimated prison value $317,515 Fentanyl: 7 pounds – estimated prison value $1,905,090 Tobacco: 1,614 pounds – estimated prison value $483,185 K2 (synthetic cannabinoids): 27 pounds – estimated prison value $2,755,573 (Depending on paper type, this equals roughly 500 to 2,700 sheets, with 93 dosage units per letter-sized sheet.) Cell phones: 6,715 devices – estimated prison value $9,401,000 Improvised weapons: 3,478 items Total seized value: $18,697,033 “These seizures represent thousands of opportunities to prevent violence, overdoses and criminal activity inside our facilities,” said ODOC Director Justin Farris. “They also reflect the constant vigilance of our staff and investigators who work every day to identify threats and stop contraband before it causes harm.” In addition to seizures, ODOC arrested 83 individuals in 2025 for trying to bring contraband into correctional facilities. Of those arrests, 42 involved visitors aiming to smuggle contraband during inmate visits. Additionally, 14 ODOC staff members were arrested for attempting to introduce contraband, highlighting the agency’s dedication to accountability at all levels. Contraband remains one of the most significant threats to safety inside correctional facilities, contributing to violence, drug trafficking and organized criminal activity. ODOC continues to strengthen interdiction efforts through intelligence-led investigations, enhanced searches, partnerships with law enforcement and the use of evolving security technology. ODOC introduced digital mail in September 2024, which has been very successful. In September 2025, all outside paper products were banned across the facilities to help prevent the entry of K2 and other contraband. This rule applied to staff, visitors and volunteers and has been very effective. The agency is now exploring options to convert legal mail to a digital format while maintaining required privacy protections. “Every seizure matters,” said Director Farris. “Removing contraband protects our employees, supports safer facilities, and reinforces our responsibility to the public. Keeping contraband out of our facilities is a tremendous battle, and our staff does an excellent job.” The Oklahoma Department of Corrections remains committed to aggressive contraband enforcement, transparency and continuous improvement to maintain secure environments statewide to build a stronger Oklahoma. American Legion District 7 Spring Conference Date: February 21, 2026 Location: American Legion Post 121, 203 S. Oklahoma Ave, Mangum, OK Registration: 0900 to 1000 Conference: Begins at 1000 Purpose: 1. Conduct the business of District 7 2.Candidates for Department Leadership will be visiting our conference. This is the year to nominate District Commander. 3. Hear reports from current Department Officers, committees, and programs 4. Collaborate on upcoming American Legion activities 5. Review and act on submitted resolutions 6. Strengthening unity and communication among all branches of the Legion family All Legionnaires, Veterans and Spouses are invited and encouraged to attend. The conference will begin with a joint general session, after which each group will break out into their respective meetings. Legion Family attire or uniform is encouraged. Strong attendance from every post, squadron, unit and community will ensure a successful conference and a stronger District 7. Point of Contact: Elmo May, District 7 Commander (580) 210-6989 [email protected] ELK CITY Middle school students make mouse trap cars in Mr. Geno’s Tech Ed classes. Mrs. Garrison’s 1st grade class has a fun-filled week of learning. Students become measurement experts by measuring different types of gummy worms, stretching them, and measuring again to see what changed. The Elk City Trendsetters Dance Team go to competition at OBU and return with 1st Place. We hope each of you have a great season! We want to wish you a great season! Elk City Nursing Home 301 N. Garrett, Elk City 580-225-2811 Good Luck Teams! 1210 S. Main St, Elk City 580-225-0100 www.elksupply.com *UHDW3ODLQV 1DWLRQDO%DQN 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | gpbankok.com 580-225-2265 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | Elk City Wal-Mart | gpbankok.com 580.243.0466 We hope you have a great year! Good Luck Area Teams! :UG6W (ON&LW\2.   ZZZSL]]DKXWFRP Carry-out • Hut Lane • Delivery &DUU\RXW‡&XUEVLGH‡'HOLYHU\ Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ELK CITY: 2714 W. 3rd St. • 580-225-2580 102 S. Main St.•580.225.2580 https//www.fnbec.bank SAYRE: 711 NE Highway 66 • 580-928-2580