July 4, 2026 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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NEWS 10• SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026 The Elk City News The City of Elk City Fourth of July celebration From Fire Chief Kyle Cherve- areas of Ackley Park and Ack- Fire & EMS reminds residents works should never be used near make sure all used fireworks are works inside the approved areas , na: ley Park West between 6:00 p.m. that dry grass, high tempera- dry vegetation, vehicles, build- completely out before they are follow posted signs, use caution, The City of Elk City Fourth and 11:59 p.m. Fireworks are not tures, and wind can quickly turn ings, trash, or other combustible thrown away or left behind. Elk and help keep the park safe and of July celebration will be held permitted elsewhere inside Elk a small spark into a fast-moving materials. City Fire & EMS will have per- clean for all residents and visi- at Ackley Park on Friday, July City limits. fire. Conditions in and around Anyone discharging fireworks sonnel staged in the park during tors. Elk City Fire & EMS wishes 4, 2026. Fireworks may be dis- The public fireworks display Elk City can change quickly should keep water nearby, su- the event. everyone a safe and happy Inde- charged only in the designated will begin at 10:00 p.m. Elk City during the summer, and fire- pervise children closely, and Citizens are asked to keep fire- pendence Day. The Sagebrush ODOC modernizes assessments for incarcerated women OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklaho- en often enter prison with different needs of our female incarcerated introduce the Men’s Risk Needs ma Department of Corrections is life experiences than men, including population does not just transform Assessment, currently under devel- Penguin Project opens proud to announce that it will begin assessing female inmates using the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment, an higher rates of trauma, abuse, mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Those experiences require the individual; it is part of our broad- er rehabilitation efforts to create in- dividualized case plans,” said ODOC opment, to modernize the agency’s current evaluation process and bet- ter address the needs of incarcerated evidence-based instrument to pro- different interventions and a differ- Director Justin Farris. “Recognizing men. Bye Bye Birdie vide individualized case plans and treatment options. For many wom- en, addressing the underlying factors ent path toward rehabilitation. This week, 25 ODOC staff mem- bers received training from the women have different needs will help them be successful upon release, leading to better outcomes for Okla- The implementation of the Wom- en’s Risk Needs Assessment marks another step in ODOC’s commit- In its 8th year, the Sagebrush and join them July 10 and 11, that contributed to incarceration is University of Utah Criminal Justice homa and lower recidivism.” ment to evidence-based rehabili- Penguin Project provides chil- 2026 at the Susan Powell Fine the first step toward breaking the cy- Center team, funded by a National In addition to implementing in- tation. By recognizing the unique dren with special needs an op- Arts Auditorium, 700 W 2nd, cle of recidivism. Institute of Corrections grant, on dividualized case plans for incarcer- needs of incarcerated women and portunity to develop creative Elk City, OK. When a person is sentenced to using the WRNA. The three-day ated women, ODOC is establishing tailoring plans accordingly, ODOC is skills, partner and network A loving musical send-up prison, they are evaluated during training was attended by staff from gender-specific Probation and Parole helping more individuals leave pris- with others, and participate in of the early 1960s, small-town intake to identify the factors and ODOC’s Programs, Probation and caseloads in Oklahoma, Tulsa, Otta- on better prepared to reunite with the fully realized musical pro- America, teenagers, and rock & circumstances that contributed to Parole, and Assessment Center, and wa, and McClain counties. Those their families, contribute to their duction of “Bye, Bye Birdie: roll, Bye Bye Birdie remains as their incarceration. For decades, ev- will be implemented in our female specialized caseloads are expected to communities, and build successful Youth Edition”. fresh and vibrant as ever. ery inmate, regardless of gender, has facilities once each staff member be- begin by October 2026 lives after incarceration. Those out- They sought artists and men- Teen heartthrob Conrad been assessed with the same tool. comes certified. Following full implementation comes strengthen public safety and tors ages 8 - 25. They began Birdie has been drafted, so he However, research shows that wom- “Changing the way we assess the of the WRNA, ODOC plans to create a stronger Oklahoma. rehearsals every Tuesday & chooses all-American girl Kim Thursday, beginning in March McAfee for a very public fare- of this year. Participation for Artists is absolutely free thanks well kiss. Featuring a tuneful high-energy score, plenty of Statement on Federal Court Ruling Regarding SNAP Purchase Restrictions to the funding provided by lo- great parts for kids, and a hi- A federal judge blocked five state that restrict certain food purchases program. anyone else is both unfair and in- cal sponsors. larious script, Bye Bye Birdie SNAP purchasing restriction pilots through SNAP. While the most re- "Hunger Free Oklahoma (HFO) effective if the goal is to improve These kids have worked re- remains one of the most popu- that banned SNAP users from pur- cent ruling applies only to Colora- is closely monitoring developments public health." ally hard, learning lines, block- lar shows in schools across the chasing soda and candy with their do, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and and reviewing what this ruling Hunger Free Oklahoma remains ing, dance steps, costumes– country. benefits. At this time, the ruling West Virginia, the decision creates could mean for SNAP policy in committed to engaging with state they get to do it all ! –And all Hit songs include “Put on a does not impact SNAP purchas- the possibility that other states’ ap- Oklahoma and nationwide," said and federal leadership on strategic their hard work is about to pay Happy Face,” “One Last Kiss,” ing rules in Oklahoma. The ruling proved pilots could be reevaluated, Chris Bernard, President and CEO investments in health and nutrition, off ! “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to raises questions about the future of including Oklahoma’s. Oklahoma of Hunger Free Oklahoma. “HFO such as scaling evidence-backed Tickets are NOW Available Do,” “Kids!” and “Rosie.” similar policies across the country. SNAP participants should not ex- supports improving health out- healthy food purchasing incentives for this upcoming production For Tickets: https://sage- The federal ruling centers on the pect any immediate changes to comes for Oklahomans; however, which increase fruit and vegetable of Bye Bye Birdie: Youth Edi- brush-penguin-project.square. U.S. Department of Agriculture's their benefits or the foods currently singling out low-income families consumption without adding barri- tion. Please set your calendars site/ authority to approve state requests eligible for purchase through the for restrictions that don’t apply to ers to food access.