October 31, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 13

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2026 Weekend Edition Commission Orders Removal of Dilapidated Home, Defers Cemetery Expansion Bid for Review By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Commissioners held their bi-weekly meeting at 2 p.m., on Wednesday, Oct 21st, in City Hall. Mayor Micah Kilhoffer opened the meeting with an invocation, followed by the flag salute led by Rick Shelton. Commissioner Jeff Waters was absent from the proceedings. Prior to beginning the agenda, they held a public hearing for a dilapidated building, as notified, located at 313 S. Adams. City Inspector, Gary Nix, spoke about the property, saying that the owner was supposed to be at the hearing, but he was not present. Nix told the commissioners that someone had been living there, but since that time he has moved out although he sees him on the property at times. Since this was a public hearing, no action was taken. The first item on the agenda was the approval of declaring the structure at 313 S. Adams to be a dilapidated building and ordered the removal of the structure. The next item was the approval for a new unused ½ ton F150 Supercrew XL four-wheel drive pickup from Barber Dyson Ford for the IT department in the amount of $44,191, a budgeted item. This was to replace a CNG Honda Civic and upgrade the fleet. The approval of Change Order #1 for the new animal shelter building to Nebhut Construction in the amount of $8025, was presented to the commissioners by Nix, who is overseeing the project. He said that they added a mechanical room and decid- ed to raise the truss from 8.5 feet to 11 feet. The commissioners approved the change. They asked Nix about a possible completion date, while Nix was reluctant to give a definite time, he hoped to have it finished by the end of December. The commissioners tabled the bid from See COMMISSION page X OSBI Agent Shares How the Agency Supports Local Law Enforcement and Tackles Crime By Sheryl Ponce place – Aaleiah Grissom, “Luna – Cow”; 2nd place – Erely Bustillos, “Coco-Cowboy”, 3rd – Finley Brittain, “Meadow – Minon.” Ages 0 to 11 months: 1st place – Jameson Waters, “Jurassic Park Dinosaur”; 2nd place – Noah McBroom, “Noah and the Ark,” 3rd – Brodie Mittal, “Rubber Duck Bathbub.” One-year-olds: 1st place – Adrian Whitecrow-Oxford, “Scarecrow,” The Elk City Rotary Club welcomed Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Agent Daniel Perkins to their regular weekly meeting. Elk City Police Chief John Cook introduced his guest speaker, who spoke to the group about his role within the agency and how he helps local law enforcement. Perkins is a special agent with the OSBI Major Crimes Unit. His office is in the ECPD station, and he is there to support the area poDaniel Perkins and John Cook lice by a request of their departments. He said that they are on a request- based agency, meaning they are activated by specific statutory requests such as the governor, legislators, judges or prosecutors. The OSBI also has specialized units that include Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), the Crime Scene Unit, and the Special Investigative Unit. The bureau holds original jurisdiction over internet crimes against children, oil field theft and major crimes on turnpikes. He serves the northwest sector of the southwest region. After that, he began to talk about the advantages and challenges passed by digital tools and social media. Perkins spoke about the use of Avoice and image manipulation to target vulnerable populations, and education is the best defense in those cases. As far as digital footprints, criminals try to hide their See MOONLIGHT page X See OSBI page X Moonlight Madness Lights Up Downtown with Shopping, Fun, and Community Spirit By Sheryl Ponce The annual Moonlight Madness took place last Thursday evening, with costume contests, shopping, trick or treating, and food vendors at the center of the event. Record numbers came out for the citywide event. Sponsored by the Elk City Chamber of Commerce, the local businesses and volunteers made the evening shine. The Chamber thanked the downtown merchants, Culver Electric for lights, video and sound equipment, Elk City and Merritt football teams, cheer squads, and the bands, the Red Carpet Community Theatre, food vendors, trunk or treat vendors, EC Fire Department’s Smokehouse, Elk City Police Department and FOP, Great Plains Regional Medical Center, and One Church Carnival. The winners in the Costume contest were – Pets: 1st Elk City Coop Celebrates Centennial By Sheryl Ponce Southern Co. Holds Grand Opening The Elk City Chamber of Commerce sponsored a ribbon cutting to celebrate the Southern Company’s grand opening, located at 103 S. Main. Shaylee Ross and staff greeted the new customers into the boutique that is comprised of men’s, boy’s, women’s, and curvy women’s clothing. Ross was present with her son, Coulter, for the celebration. This is her second location. The other location is located in Carthage, Texas. The Elk City Chamber of Commerce helped the Elk City Coop, located at 720 S. Main Street, honor the farmers, families, and community who have supported them for the last 100 years. Their anniversary ribbon cutting took place last week, Wed. Oct 21st, at 11:30 a.m. They held a customer appreciation event for the celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with a luncheon provided by Hi-Pro Feeds. Those present for the occasion included Bruce McRee, employee; Quenton Elliott, manager; Larry McConnell, board member; Randy Hargis, board member; Varla Wilcox, Hi-Pro Feeds; and Kelly Burge, See OPENING page X See CENTENNIAL page X By Sheryl Ponce Weather tomorrow 72 / 62 99/70 Vol.No. 122,54 No. 44 Vol. 117, 75 cents 75 cents, 12 pgs. Mail delivery Home delivery 580.225.3000 580.225.3000 Viewonline online View elkcityoknews.com elkcityoknews.com