March 14, 2026 Issue, Page 2 of 14

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026 The Elk City News MISDEMEANORS & FELONIES CHAMPS Continued from page 1 MISDEMEANORS State of Okla vs Elijah M Roque DUI close, and part if the third, but State of Okla vs Michael C Kinkead Unauthorized use of a credit starting the final quarter, coach card. Receiving/concealing of a stolen or lost credit card Ridling made some changes State of Okla vs Ricky L Ray Protective order violation in defense and Caddo couldn’t State of Okla vs Sherri Krittenbrink DUI score. It was a decisive win of 18 State of Okla vs Jim O Mayfield DWI points. FELONIES The Trojanettes were led by State of Okla vs Ty W Brooks Protective order violations. Viola- point guard and 2026 MVP Jaylee Gray (a freshman who scored 21, tion of OK Statue via Computer 17, 16 points respectively in the State of Okla vs Brittney A Lewis Drug Trafficking State Tournament) along with State of Okla vs Jonathan M White Providing false or mislead- Kendall Schuster, Destiny Jack- ing sex offender registration information son, Kinley Carlson, and Kinley Pruitt among others. The team "There will not be any changes or exceptions finished the season with a re- to the publication of these records." cord of 28-1, with their only loss coming in December of last year had 16 points in the last game as try between all teammates was Champions is: #2 Destiny Jack- MARRIAGES & DIVORCES against Merritt, a bigger school who were State Champions in the 2A class two years ago, and well. As the final seconds ticked off great, a real team that recognizes the strengths of each individu- son (Sr), #3 Sayde Allen (So), #4 Makenzie Thompson (So), the clock and the buzzer sound- al player and plays to everyone #10 Reilli Polensky (Fr), #11 who have qualified for the State MARRIAGES ed, the Canute Trojanetts rushed else’s strengths. It was a culmi- Kynli Carlson (Jr), #12 Marina Tournament the last three years Gilberto Lopez, Elk City – Noelia Saravique, Elk City the court, hearts pounding with nation of hard work, self-belief, Montoya (Fr), #14 Lily Wood- (Merritt will play in the State the realization that their dream plus respect and belief in their son (Fr), #15 Taylor Polensky Tournament again this year). It DIVORCES had finally come true. At the cen- coach’s strategy. For the Troja- (Sr), #20 Kinley Pruett (Fr), #23 was the second year in a row that Harry Freels vs Loretta Freels ter of it all stood their freshman nettes, this championship was Jaylee Gray (Fr), #24 Brooke Caddo lost in the final. Amanda Mann vs Brian Mann MVP, Jaylee Gray, her face awash not just a testament to talent, but Thomas (So), #30 Kendal Schus- The MVP, Jaylee Gray, is a Sandra Byrne vs Mark Byrne with tears of joy and disbelief. to the resilience and unity that ter (Sr) and #44 Tatum Gillett girl with unyielding energy, Charles Logan vs Samantha Logan She had been the driving force coach Ridling has taught and in- (Fr). Managers: Jersey Walker, who, when on the floor is back Lucas Boyer vs Jerzee Boyer behind the team’s remarkable stilled in her players. And while AJ Baker; Bookkeeper: Amanda on defense immediately after an Tori Clinesmith vs Lariat Clinesmith run—her poise under pressure Jaylee won the MVP, we can say Maddox; Coach Tatum Ridling, offensive play. She is also a great and determination on both ends that she relied and trusted on ev- Asst Coach (and AD) JW Gillett. shooter. Kendal Schuster had a of the floor inspiring teammates ery member of this great team! CONGRATULATIONS! “Double-Double” in the quar- and fans alike. For the record. The full team Sources: ESPN, MSN Sports, terfinals (10-10) and under the It is obvious that the chemis- roster for 2025-2026 and State OSSAA, On-Line media sports. basket is deadly; Destiny Jackson SUBSCRIBE TODAY the days to increase the number of the courses. cipals, who are spending a couple APPROVES days per year. Sparks told the board that the district is on track with the The board also approved Inter- mediate Algebra as a third math of hours every week on attendance letters and not to mention the Continued from page 1 total number of hours spent in the credit: approval of ODCTE/OS- postage that we’re spending. This classroom, but they may change it DE-approved Career Tech Mathe- is going to generate a letter that we Brandon Shelton, Kayla Watkins, Current news and Glenda Noblitt, Monty Mayfield, Michael Fisher, Tyler Foale, and to total number of days. He said that the starting date will remain matics courses as Additional Core Units. Sparks said that by the board can custom make, and it’s going to send it electronically to the parents’ the same, but changes could be approving the math credits, stu- phone,” Sparks said. great deals delivered Jana Finnell. They returned to open session at 6:34 p.m., and later in the made at the end of the year. The board approved the contract dents will be federally accredited in the area of math. He also shared information con- cerning medical marijuana with agenda voted to employ all of those right to your door! administrators. Going on to the next item on for the school audit, 2026-2027, with Britton, Kuykendall, and Mill- In the area of personnel, the board approved Kandi Heimer the board from a News Line Nine report. Since 2018 when Oklahoma er; the OKTLE License Agreement for Southwestern Oklahoma State passed the medical marijuana bill, the agenda, the board voted on the for the 2026-2027 year; and the University Telepath nurse grant for the state has produced 38 percent officers for the 2026-2027 school Hearing and Vision Impaired Con- 15 hours a week, and they added more than what is required for all year. The only change was to elect sultant Services Agreement with Yolanda Linder as custodian and the prescriptions in the state. Rodney Cloud to become the new the Sayre Public Schools for 2025- elementary cafeteria. “Since 2018 teenage use of mari- clerk. Other officers that remain 2027 year. In the superintendent’s report, juana in the state of Oklahoma has include Brandon Storm, president; The Emergency Medical Re- Sparks talked about the chronic increased by 73 percent. Since 2021 Katie Archer, vice-president; and sponse and the Firefighter 1 stu- absenteeism in Oklahoma, which the state of Oklahoma has 32 per- members Kris Waters (previous (USPS # 173-020) dents will be able to take those is 19.7 percent. The national aver- cent higher usage rate of marijuana clerk) and Yusuke Harase. 580-225-3000 classes as a science credit with the age of absenteeism is 25 percent. To than anywhere else in the country. The calendar for the 2026-2027 board’s approval, which they ap- combat this, the district is launch- We are 32 percent higher usage rate Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC was approved, but with the knowl- proved. Sparks told the board that ing Attendance Pro. This is a way among our citizens than anywhere 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 edge that it could be changed be- without this in place, the students the school can text a parent if a else in the country. If we don’t think Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 cause the legislature may change will only receive elective credit for child misses the day, or a class. The that’s not impacting our schools, if parent will also be able to text the we don’t think that that doesn’t play POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO BOX 964, Elk City, OK 73648 district with the child’s absence. a role in 48th, or 50th ranking in “Other school districts that have the nation, whatever you want to SUBSCRIPTIONS Sheryl Ponce, implemented this, have seen a sev- say, we’re not having real conversa- Deliverd by mail: Staff Writer en percent drop in chronic absen- tions,” Sparks noted. $50/yearly print only teeism. If we can go from 19 to 12 He went on to share information Neva Pyatt, percent and 19 is a state average, concerning Elk City’s scores and $60/yearly print & online $40/online only Advertising Director we’re about 17 percent, we can get compared them to the state’s rate No refunds on subscriptions. Ashley Moore, close to nine or ten percent. Those in scores, in which Elk City comes are our kids that we most need here, out ahead of the state averages. [email protected] Advertising Director that are most at risk, and it gives us This also proved that the students’ [email protected] Nancy Karnowski, another way to communicate with scores are increasing each year. ECNclassifi[email protected] CSR parents. But the other thing that it “Our life experiences matter does is to help our assistant prin- when it comes to understanding what we’re reading and being able to make those connections. I be- lieve that we’re having more and Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices more kids that have less life expe- riences than what we had when Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual we were little, not going on trips, resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as not being able to do things. So, cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the the more we can take our kids to practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. THE BRANDING restaurant IRON Barnes and Noble, the more we can take our kids to the Thun- der games. You know, all of those For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: things are going to continue to help Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator $15.99 Thursday Night these life experiences and change that,” he said. Brianna Barker, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES Steak & Shrimp Buffet Sparks told the board about “The Digital Delusion,” that the staff is currently reading. This is SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) $12.99 Friday Night the first generation that is scoring lower cognitively than their family • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic Catfish & Ribs Buffet or parents did in the past. This is 80 countries wide that have seen the Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) • End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) • End Stage Liver Disease • End Stage Renal Disease • AIDS/HIV Dine-In or Carryout Available same results. With all of the tech- nology available to children, the • End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s 1200 S. 10th Street • Clinton, OK • 580-323-5554 kids are learning to play games and not learning. “Are we going to pull back some Professional, Passionate Advance, Attentive ... New owner of reins on some technology? One hundred percent, we are. Eighty countries can’t be wrong. The data Our Difference is Our Care Have you ever considered becoming a A-OK Lock & Key! says that in 80 countries, when they did a national norm test, the first year they did it online, it dropped hospice volunteer? A fulfulling experience in the spirit of giving and receiving. WE ARE MOBILE! 20 percentage points for every country that did it, and if it was a country that didn’t use technolo- Business hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 gy, and that was the first time they took the test online. They dropped After hour on request 60 percent. This is the first genera- 60 mile radius from Clinton tion, 80 countries wide that are not performing more than their par- 580-445-4141 ents were. We have a problem. We have to address it. We can’t hide it. Technology is an issue, and we all Lomax Lee had to do it because of Covid, but now we see it, we have a chance to fix it, and that’s where we’re head- 580-275-1414 ed,” Sparks concluded. With no new business, the board meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving LIC #AC441185 next meeting will take place March Carrie Perry, RN central western Oklahoma since 2011. 9th, at 6 p.m., in the Board of Edu- cation conference room.