June 6, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026 Weekend Edition Commissioners Face Light Agenda By Sheryl Ponce flag salute, they held a public hearing con- prove the minutes from the May 20th meet- Change Order #3, a deadline extension in vations. The commissioners tabled the item cerning a dilapidated building. ing. They voted to approve the structure at the amount of 90 days for the water project. until the Sept. 8th meeting. The Elk City Commissioners met Mon- The structure is located at 822 N. Adams. 822 N. Adams to be declared dilapidated. After the 90 days the company will be in the The Purchase Orders FY 25-26 and recur- day evening for their regular bi-month- City Inspector Gary Nix described the con- The next item on the agenda was to approve penalty phase of the project in which they ring invoices for June 1st were approved. No ly meeting, and with City Manager Tom dition of the structure and suggested that it Pay app #7 for Heartland Utility Services for will be fined by the day. City Manager’s Report was given, and there Ivester and commissioners Rocky Andre- was in bad shape. The owner’s representa- the FY 2025 Water Main Improvements in The structure located at 207 Parkview was no Treasurer’s report. Kilhoffer opened sen and Rick Shelton absent, they pro- tive was present to address the issues and the amount of $210.081.54, a budgeted item was next on the agenda. The house was on the meeting for public comments, and with ceeded with Mayor Micah Kilhoffer and ask for time to get professionals on the site and progress payment. the list to be considered dilapidated because none, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. commissioners Jeff Waters and Rod Carver to know what would need to be completed. The water project is 60 to 65 percent of fire damage to the back of the home. The The next commissioner’s meeting will handling the business. After Kilhoffer gave No action was taken during the hearing. completed, with 90 percent of the pipe owner was present to talk to the commis- take place on June 17th, at 2 p.m., in City the invocation and Rod Carver leading the The commissioners then went on to ap- put in. The commissioners also approved sioners about his plans to proceed in reno- Hall. Parker Drilling Shelter on the Rise: New Kennels, Rabies Rig #114 Lights Alerts, and Community Up for Route 66 Outreach in Elk City By Sheryl Ponce Centennial The Elk City Rotarians welcomed Elk City Animal Shelter’s supervisor Amber Hartsell to their regular meet- ing last Thursday to give them an update concerning the By Sheryl Ponce animal shelter. She began by saying they are understaffed because they normally have three animal control officers One of the world’s largest free-standing oil rigs, and a part-time kennel tech. Currently, she and one other Parker Drilling Rig #114, stands tall above Elk City person is working, which puts them working all the time. along Route 66 and now lights up the night skies to di- She also said that they have another officer that will be rect visitors through Elk City and along the iconic road. starting the following day. With the help of local businesses and a grant from the Hartsell talked about the animal statistics from 2025. Route 66 Revitalization Grant, the Elk City Chamber The live release rate was at 80 percent, and they dealt with of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Friday, May 31st, 1397 animals that came through their doors. There were at noon, with Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell present for the also an additional 360 animals that are not included in the occasion. total numbers because they were deceased or wildlife that The rig stands at 181 feet which serves as a popular they had to pick-up. roadside attraction that spotlights the local oil industry. It was pointed out that the current shelter was opened “It’s time to invest in Route 66, the most famous road in the 1980s, and since that time the numbers have con- in the entire world. The fact that we have more miles tinued to grow. Hartsell said that last year they went out of it than any other state, we should be investing in it. on 1993 animal calls, which did not include the calls that It’s revived, that’s what we’ve loved to see, it’s not just are taken care of over the phone. a thing of paint, or lighting something like this lights After five years in the works, the new animal shelter is up. It triggers entrepreneurs saying, ‘Well, the city’s in- going up and Hartsell sees hope in the future. The current volved, I’m going to open a new coffee shop on Main shelter is small and not conducive to taking care of the Street,’” Lt. Gov. Pinnell said. animal population that they must deal with. She also said He went on to say, “The road is reminding us that we are still one, we are still a country. The story of Route 66 is as American as it gets. It is probably the best storyline See SHELTER page 2 we have when we celebrate Route 66.” Parker Rig #114 is now a shining monument that can be seen from I-40 and represents the pride of Elk City and Oklahoma throughout this Centennial Cele- bration. EC Regional Airport Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell Hosts Fly-In for Route 66 Festival Mileage Reimbursement Program Available through SWODA By Sheryl Ponce By Sheryl Ponce individuals get to important services,” SWODA described the program. destinations such as medical Oklahoma received $223,476,948.62 to sup- Elk City’s new terminal along with a one-day fuel South West Oklahoma Development Authority appointments, pharmacies, and port the program that improves access to care and sale will be the focus Saturday, June 13th, as pilots ev- (SWODA) is leading the way for implementation of grocery stores tied to health con- health outcomes across rural communities. The erywhere are invited to join the Route 66 Festival that the Rural Mobility Access Program (RMAP) that is cerns. services that can be accessed include doctor vis- will take place the same day. There will also be a shuttle beginning in Southwest Oklahoma. This assistance is The program is a collaborative its and medical care; pharmacies and prescription service provided to take guests to Ackley Park where available through the Mobility Navigators who work effort between SWODA, Okla- services; grocery stores and food access points; and they will be having a car show, audio contest, BBQ directly with residents to answer questions to deter- homa Association of Regional Councils, Oklahoma health-related programs and preventative care ser- cook-off, an art show, many park activities, and food mine eligibility and assist with the trip preauthoriza- Department of Transportation, hospitals and clinics, vices. The individuals who may benefit are those trucks and vendors. The museum complex will also be tion. along with community partners and stakeholders. who have limited transportation options; those having free entry. The local counties included in the program are “The South Western Oklahoma Development who need help getting to medical or essential ser- Free breakfast will be served at the airport from 7 Beckham, Custer, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties. Authority (SWODA) has been awarded $2.6 million vices; and those who may qualify for mileage reim- a.m. to 10 a.m. This is a great opportunity to see a va- To find out more information in these counties con- in Year 1 of a five-year grant through the Oklahoma bursement support. riety of airplanes and pilots as they fly in to be a part of tact Cristi Williams at 580-662-5038 or email her at Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. This The program began in 2026 and now is the time to Elk City’s celebration. [email protected]. The program is the Trans- funding supports the launch of a new Rural Mobility contact a mobility navigator to find out the eligibility For more information contact Bobby Southard at portation Reimbursement Initiative Program (TRIP), Access Program (RMAP) designed to help residents to get signed up. Contact Cristi Williams at 580-662- 580-821-6670. The airport is located at 101 Norman which is a milage reimbursement program that helps overcome transportation barriers and access essential 5038 or email her at [email protected]. Martin Blvd. Weather Vol. Vol. 117,122, No.No. 54 23 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 88 / 71 75 75 cents cents, 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com