August 15, 2026 Issue, Page 2 of 10

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026 The Elk City News that program in the way that knew his father. Manning spoke Manning continued to say, gets the job done. heroin, and opiates, but the MANNING we wanted it to look. It is a true service to the community and to to the father and was concerned about his son making threats of “We don’t ever take that respon- sibility and duty lightly, as far as They finally found the couple in Los Angeles and are currently huge driver here locally is meth. They deal with the result of the Continued from page 1 the schools,” Manning said. harming himself or committing trying not to hurt people if we waiting on extradition to Okla- addiction, which includes prop- Holland was replaced by suicide by law. don’t have to. I don’t have that homa. The full press release, erty crimes and theft, to find the ing to keep the kids and parents Richard Jones, who will be “We took this very seriously. in me, and I try to make sure I “Captured Fugitives,” is in this drugs and pay for them, as well abreast of the situations that can working primarily in the Mer- When they saw my guys com- hire people who don’t have that week’s edition of the ECN. as crimes against children. The help them to stay out of trouble. ritt School System. The SROs ing the first time that we en- in them. Our goal and our mis- In an extension of his talk crimes do not originate with the Wendy Holland was the first have been in training through- countered them, they took off sion goal is to do the very least about the fugitives, Manning drug but are a result of the drug SRO for Beckham County. She out the summer, so they have running from their hiding spot amount of force that we could told the Rotarians that the addiction. just retired, but she launched been able to get in some field that they had over by the river use to get the job done. That’s biggest problems in Beckham “Our state needs to spend a lot the program, which was in line work. They are on contract and south of Sayre, and they were re- what happened in this case.” County are drug addiction and more money on mental health with the BKSO’s mission. the county pays for the cars, ally good at running. They were He added that he was proud mental health issues. Getting beds, and our state needs to “I give a great deal of credit fuel, and equipment. good at trying to evade, and so it of the outcome because of the individuals in long term care is spend a lot more money helping and respect to Wendy for build- Manning changed directions took us a while to catch up with work of his staff and how they difficult for the county. There people out of addiction instead ing that program and working to talk about a recent case their them,” Manning said. kept after the suspects. It was are not enough beds available of just keeping them incarcerat- not just with Merritt Schools, department worked, that in- The officers were one step be- frustrating for them because and not enough funding for ed,” Manning concluded. but she was also a supervisor for cluded chasing two individuals hind the fleeing pair, and Man- they were just behind them at mental health issues. Manning continued to an- the School of Sweetwater, Er- who were running from the law ning promised the family that every turn. Manning said he has In the area of drug addiction, swer the Rotarians’ questions, ick, and Sayre. So she not only on trafficking charges. It was they would do everything they little tolerance for not catch- Manning said that meth and and the meeting was adjourned took care of her school, but she not violent charges, and Man- could to take them into custody ing people who are wanted. He fentanyl are the top drugs that a few minutes before noon. For supervised all the SRO activi- ning knew one of the suspects without anyone getting hurt. He learned that in his position they he sees throughout Beckham more information about Rotary, ties at the other schools. And in since his was a child. He also added that it is always their goal. do not give up, and that is what County. They also see cocaine, contact one of the officers. doing that, she helped me build MISDEMEANORS & FELONIES Captured Fugitives Following a rapidly unfolding appropriate agencies that appeared tives,” Manning said, “and it ended cessful conclusion today was im- MISDEMEANORS investigation Monday afternoon by to have the best chance to intercept peacefully and with no one being pressive. These two professionals State of Okla vs Patrick T Warren DUS. Possession of Cocaine the Beckham County Sheriff ’s Of- the bus. Those actions eventually hurt. That has been our goal all knew that time was of the essence, fice, two wanted individuals, Cole led to the arrest of the pair early along. I appreciate LAPD for their and they took care of business. I’m FELONIES Hinkle and Beverly Binion, were Monday evening as they stepped assistance. And, I can’t say enough very proud of their efforts.” State of Okla vs Megan N Brown Sex offender entering safety taken into custody by Los Angeles off the bus in the Los Angeles area. about the great police work of my Manning said once the extradi- zone of school, child care facility or playground Police officers at a bus station in Sheriff Derek Manning said he undersheriff, Jeff Miller and our tion process is taken care of, his of- State of Okla vs Melissa A Hayes Assault & battery with a California. was proud of the exceptional team- dispatch captain, Zachary Allen. fice will be responsible for bringing dangerous weapon Hinkle and Binion were want- work of his staff that led to the ar- Their tenacity and efficiency as the pair back to Oklahoma to face State of Okla vs Nikcoalis G Turpen Property damage ed on warrants for Trafficking in rests. “This was a long, drawn-out they developed this information the warrant charges which stem State of Okla vs Tanner D Moore Child neglect. Domestic Methamphetamine with bonds of chase of two very motivated fugi- and brought the search to a suc- from an Elk City case. assault & battery by strangulation $200,000 each. They have been on the run since mid-July after fleeing "There will not be any changes or exceptions from a hideout on the bank of the to the publication of these records." Northfork of the Red River south of Sayre. Several officers and agencies have been involved in the search MARRIAGES & DIVORCES for the pair over the last couple of weeks. Over the weekend, Beckham County Sheriff ’s Office deputies DIVORCES developed information that an ac- Dustin Thornbrough vs Cayla Thornbrough quaintance of Binion’s in Elk City Charlene Proctor vs Michael Proctor had been wired cash to be given to Hinkle. BKSO secured surveil- lance footage from a local business which identified the individual who picked up the cash. That in- dividual later admitted that he was instructed to drop off the money and some food at another residence in Elk City. (USPS # 173-020) When deputies searched that 580-225-3000 residence Monday afternoon, they learned that Hinkle and Binion had Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC been hiding there for a couple of 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 days previously, but had then been Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 Pictured are Cindy Buckmaster, Assistant Superintendent; Mike Sparks, Superintendent; board member Yusuke driven to a bus station in Amarillo Sunday where they boarded a bus Harase; vice-president Katie Archer; board member Kris Waters; clerk Rodney Cloud; and president Brandon POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO BOX 964, Elk City, OK 73648 for California. Storm. BKSO’s dispatch division then SUBSCRIPTIONS Sheryl Ponce, Deliverd by mail: Staff Writer went to work tracking the bus route and its location, notifying the BOARD $50/yearly print only Continued from page 1 Neva Pyatt, $60/yearly print & online $40/online only Advertising Director they reluctantly accepted. Upon acceptance, Waters left the meet- No refunds on subscriptions. Ashley Moore, ing. The next item was to approve [email protected] Advertising Director the nomination of Joe Ediger to fill the position, followed by approv- [email protected] Nancy Karnowski, ing the nominee to fill the vacated ECNclassifi[email protected] CSR seat. Ediger then took his seat on the board for the remainder of the meeting after being sworn into of- fice. Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices The board then approved the Investment Resolution as submit- ted. Sparks said that this is a yearly Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual function without changes, along resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as with approving the Encumbrance cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the Resolution as submitted, also a practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. yearly function. The Elementary Handbook For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: and the Secondary Handbook for 2026-2027 were both approved. Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator Both books were the same with a Kris Waters couple of exceptions that included Brianna Barker, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES no hoodies in detention. The board ination of the following policies Stanford for football; and Hunter – Adopt COB-Food Procurement Hayes for football and wrestling. approved the Extra Duty Pay Scale. and COA – Wellness Policy were In addition to the others, Jessica SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: Sparks said it included the dance approved. The board also approved Shockley, Kierstan Dyson, and Joy team and the volleyball coaches. • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) the Capacity Limits for transfers Moore were hired as paraprofes- The Career and Technology Ed- and grade level. Sparks told the sionals; Jared Ragan as transporta- • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic ucation Contract for Secondary Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) • End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) board that they are at capacity in tion and bus driver; Brittainy Lewis Career and Technology Programs the first grade and seventh grade; as an art teacher assistant; and • End Stage Liver Disease • End Stage Renal Disease • AIDS/HIV for the 26-27 year was approved. both have over 170 enrolled. The Kylee Daughtery as pre-k teacher’s • End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s This approval meant the district district cannot accept transfers assistant. The board also approved would use the funds for the Ca- for students in those grades. The Robert Beene to be an adjunct agri- reer Tech courses. The board also school committees were also ap- cultural education teacher. Professional, Passionate approved a contract with Caleb proved for the year. The next item on the agenda McConnell to support student Advance, Attentive ... programing and media production Next on the agenda were the employment of individuals for the was the Superintendent’s Report that included the school building Our Difference is Our Care with Big Elk Stadium Video Board. year, pending proper certification. improvements, resignations, and The board voted to table and Those hired included Title I – Sher- district enrollment. Sparks went Have you ever considered becoming a take no action on Item 7.I, approv- ry “Jill” McDaniel; Accompanist over the latest test schools and hospice volunteer? ing the contract for Paragon Com- Janice Hicks; Kindergarten teacher comparison to state scores. Those A fulfulling experience in the spirit of munication Live and On Demand Brooke Whalen; and High School statistics will be reported at a later School Streaming Services for Big giving and receiving. Attendance and Registrar Rona date. He also reported on the roof Elk Sports and Events for the new Cocannouer. Lay coaches that were inspections. The only issue was the school year. This was because they hired included Chayli Hutson for roof on the little gym on the middle did not have the contract in hand soccer; D’Quan Loneman for foot- school campus. yet. ball, basketball and track; Kade Sparks noted that school begins The adoption, revisions, or elim- Wednesday and encouraged the board to check out the progress OBITUARIES on the new press box. He also said that they replaced carpets in high school, as well as other rooms in ROMONA WHITE the district. This finishes the whole flooring in the district. With no new business, the new- Ramona Rae White, 87, of Ta- field Cemetery est board member called for the loga, passed away on August 5, in Seiling, Oklahoma. Ar- motion for adjournment at 7:14 Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving 2026. rangements by Redinger Funeral p.m. The next meeting will take Carrie Perry, RN central western Oklahoma since 2011. Graveside services were held Home, Seiling, OK place Tuesday, Sept. 8th, at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 10, at Brum-