July 18, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026 Weekend Edition Baptist Village Welcomes New Administrator By Sheryl Ponce elor’s degree in health care administration and it was completed, I was fully licensed. They of- that he (Coleman) wasn’t just saying that; it continued to achieve his master’s degree in the fered me the position here, so this is my first was true, all the residents were out and about. Elk City’s Baptist Village Assisted Living same field. head administrator position,” Beaver said. They would come up and greet you, and they welcomed Mason Beaver as their new admin- After he graduated from college, he mar- As he was training for his future position, couldn’t wait to tell you about how much they istrator. He will be honored with a come and ried his wife, Sarah, in 2022, and the couple Beaver found that the Baptist Village was liked living there. When I got the opportunity go, open house on Thursday, July 30th, from moved to Altus. He worked at Jackson County different than other facilities. When walking to come down to Elk City and see the campus 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by to meet Mason, al- Memorial Hospital in the area of finance, af- through the facility, there are people milling for the first time, it was a lot of the same thing.” though they are asking for a RSVP to confirm ter which he went to work for the Shortgrass around, playing card games or Bingo. He continued to say that everyone on the attendance. Community Health Center. “When I first met the campus director in Elk City campus was friendly. Baptist Village He arrived in April from Enid, where he “I actually started at the Baptist Village in Enid, Ricky Coleman, he instilled in me that houses assisted living and a memory care, was raised. He graduated from Pioneer/ Enid. To get your administrator license, at least just because people are aging doesn’t mean where they are private pay. When they just Pleasant Vale High School and continued his the tier one license, you have to do 750 hours that they can’t still live a full and service-filled opened there was a sizable donation to a fund, education at Southwestern Oklahoma State of on-site training. So I got all my hours on the life,” Beaver began to explain, “And it was Mason Beaver University (SWOSU). There he earned a bach- Enid campus (Baptist Village), and then after apparent when you got to the campus there See WELCOME page 2 Chamber Promotes ‘Shop Local’ By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Chamber of Commerce has announced that they will be joining Oklahoma’s Small Business, “Weekend of Local.” The promotion is presented by the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial, aging visitors to explore local shops, and it will take place July 17, 18, and restaurants and attractions. By pairing 19th. public art with local commerce, Mural- Go to the weekendoflocal.com to Fest helps turn community celebration find out more about signing up and into meaningful support for small busi- information about the Muralfest. Ac- nesses. cording to the website, “With hundreds Participating communities include - of local businesses participating in the City of Stroud: Three mural unveilings festivities throughout the state, we are at 201 W. Main (Nicholas Blanchard), calling on you to shop and eat local all 525 W. Main (Collin Birchmier) and weekend long. The 2026 Weekend of 1918 W. Hwy 66 (Stroud Students); Local is excited to announce its part- City of Edmond: Unveiling during nership with the Route 66 Centennial Citizens Bank of Edmond’s Heard on Commission to feature MuralFest in Hurd, Saturday, July 18 on the south- this year’s festivities.” east corner of Broadway and Main The Communities located along Street in Downtown Edmond (Man- Historic Route 66 are invited to in- dolyn Rae Hilbern and Cread Bayliss, corporate a Route 66–themed mural Alchemy); 39th Street District Asso- Simon’s Catch Opens Under New Ownership unveiling into their Weekend of Local programming. These unveilings serve as a creative and community-centered ciation: 2218 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 United States. Artist Armando Ortiz; Depew Ladies Aux- By Sheryl Ponce and dinner rolls, that are baked fresh daily. way to celebrate the history, culture The restaurant has been a local favor- and future of Route 66 while encour- See CHAMBER page 2 Last weekend Elk City and surrounding ite and is just south of Elk City, minutes communities bid a farewell to Elisha Simon from I-40 at Exit 34 (Merritt Road), head 1 and her family last weekend as they pass on mile south and 1 mile west to find Simon’s their tradition of country living and fine dining to new owners Daniel and Sirena Neenan. The announcement was made on Catch. Their hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m. They are closed Mon- ECPS Staff Receives their Facebook post prior to this last week- days and Tuesdays, for additional informa- end in the restaurant. After 33 years of bringing Simon’s famous steaks, shrimp, and all you can eat catfish to friendships, and support you’ve given our tion, call 580-225-8400. The Neenan’s, new owners announced, “Hi! We’re Daniel and Sirena Neenan, proud Summer Stipend the public, the time had come to close and family,” Elisha, Brandon, Questa, and Brin- U.S. Army veterans, husband and wife, and By Sheryl Ponce monthly meeting, Monday, July 13th, pass on the loyal customers and staff. Simon, lee said in the post. the owners of Route 66 Cafe in Clinton. We at 6 p.m., in the Board of Education. a single mom and Merritt school teacher, Simon’s Catch has been famous for are incredibly honored that the Simon fami- Although the teacher and staff sti- President Brandon Storm called the bought Bear Creek, therefore, creating Si- their all-you-can-eat catfish, served fami- ly has entrusted us with carrying on the lega- pends were not on the agenda, Super- meeting to order followed by no public mon’s Catch. ly-style with endless sides like Aunt Tiny’s cy of Simon’s Catch. We know this restaurant intendent Mike Sparks acknowledged comments. They approved the consent According to the post, the new owners coleslaw, pickled green tomatoes, slow- has been a part of the Elk City community staff thank you notes to the administra- agenda that included the June 25th plan to keep the restaurant going and retain cooked pinto beans, golden fries, hush pup- for more than 33 years, and we don’t take tion and Elk City Public Schools Board minutes, the financial transactions of Simon’s staff. Simon requests the public to pies, and fried to perfection. In addition to that responsibility lightly.” of Education for the surprise stipend the Superintendent’s Financial Report, continue to support the Neenan’s as they catfish, they serve hand-cut USDA Choice Their announcement also said, “Our goal that was handed out the first week of the Treasurer’s Report ending June greet their new customers, she remarks, Ribeye, KC Strips, and Filets, making them is simple: keep the outstanding staff, contin- July. Sparks told the board that Lisa 30th; the Activity Fund Report ending “Thank you to everyone who has walked one of the best steak houses around. They ue serving the food you’ve come to know Hunt, payroll, said that some employ- June 30th, and new encumbrances and through our doors over the past 33 years. offer a family recipe of fried shrimp, perfect- ees left her office crying for joy. We are forever grateful for the memories, ly golden and served with a side, fresh salad, See SIMON’S page 2 The board met for their regular See STIPEND page 2 START CAC Celebrate Forensic Interview of the Week By Sheryl Ponce and with children. National Forensic Interviewer Week The forensic interviewer supports to our dedicated forensic interviewers The National Forensic Interview- a three-phase interview structure that who approach every child with com- er week took place July 6th through includes building rapport in the first passion, patience, and professional- July 10th. The week honors those phase; the substantive phase, and then ism. Their work helps children share professionals who are specially the closure phase of the process. There their stories in a safe, supportive en- trained at Child Advocacy Centers are five “C’s” of an interview that are vironment while playing a vital role in (CAC). These individuals provide a the core traits for the interviewer. protecting them and seeking justice,” safe child-friendly environment for The “C’s” stand for competence or the announcement explained. victims to share his/her experiences the skills and experience; commu- “They listen without judgment, be- so they can begin the healing pro- nication that stands for the ability to lieving in the power of every child’s cess. articulate answers clearly; confidence voice, and standing alongside chil- By celebrating this week, the inter- that means the self-assurance without dren and families during their jour- viewers are honored for their compas- arrogance; character is the values and ney toward healing. Their strength, sion, patience, and expertise in mini- work ethic; and chemistry is how will empathy, and unwavering commit- mizing the trauma and supporting the the person fit the culture. ment make a lasting difference in investigations that accompany that “This week, we celebrate the incred- countless lives.” trauma. The celebration also helps to ible professionals who give children a Thanks to these individuals who honor those who have demonstrated voice during some of the most diffi- have dedicated their lives to helping exceptional contributions in the field cult moments of their lives. Happy children and the community. Weather Vol.No. Vol. 117, 122,54 No. 29 Mail delivery Home delivery Viewonline View online tomorrow 99/70 99 / 74 75 75 cents,cents 12 pgs. 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com