November 7, 2026 Issue, Page 1 of 15

Page Text

ELECTION RESULTS PAGE 12 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026 Weekend Edition Commissioners Approve Development Incentive Agreement By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Commissioners met for their bi-monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 2nd, at 7 p.m., in City Hall. Mayor Micah Kilhoffer opened the meeting with the invocation followed by the flag salute led by Rick Shelton. With all commissioners present, they approved the minutes from the Oct. 21st meeting and continued to approve the purchase of two Ford Police Interceptor vehicles from Barber Dyson Ford in the amount of $96,048 or $48,024 for each one, which are budgeted items. These are replace- ment vehicles. The next item on the agenda was the approval of the bid from H & H Construction for the Fairlawn Municipal Cemetery Expansion in the amount of $374,280.11. The proposal was presented at the Oct. 21st meeting because of questions about the difference between the other bids presented. Those questions were addressed by the engineer’s experience with the company. The commissioners also approved the bid for Final Closure Construction – Pre-Subtitle D Landfill – Vertical Expansion from Pinney Dozer in the amount of $1,164,758. Prior to voting, commissioner Rocky Andresen questioned city treasurer, Jennifer Rainey, about what the expenditure would do to the budget. Her answer was that the city has been putting back $250,000 per year to save this expense, and they have $1.7 million in the designated account for the project. The approval of a Real Estate Development and Incentive Agreement between the City of Elk City, Elk City Public Works Authority, Elk City Industrial, and COPE Equities, LLC, for the development of Granite Landing II was next on the agenda. City Manager, Tom Ivester, explained the agreement to the commissioners. City Attorney Ryan Meacham worked on developing the agreement. “Housing is critical in Elk City, and I tried to reach out to several different developers. We made contact with the developer that had contacted us earlier about developing Granite Landing Phase Two,” Ivester began. “Phase One is out just east of Walmart. It’s a 60-unit complex. It was built around the same time that See APPROVE page 2 Pictured Mayor Micah Kilhoffer accepting the Above and Beyond Award from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve from the Department of War prior to the Commission meeting Monday evening. WOHS Board Gears Up for the Hall of Fame Banquet GPRMC Hosts Chamber Breakfast Club By Sheryl Ponce The Elk City Chamber of Commerce held their quarterly Breakfast Club for Chamber members last Wednesday, Oct. 28th, at 7:30 a.m., at Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC), who sponsored the event. Basil Weatherly opened the meeting and stood in as the emcee. GPRMC CEO, Corey Lively, welcomed the group of Chamber members to the hospital and meeting. Lively began by giving an overview of the 62-bed facility with an economic impact of nearly $240 million. He also noted that they earned a CMS five-star designated for patient experience, and he discussed the ongoing journey toward high reliability in treatment pathways. He went on to say that the hospital is investing heavily in women and children’s services by recruiting OB/GYN services in See CHAMBER page 2 By Sheryl Ponce Tew Family Faces Financial Hardship from Spinal Condition By Sheryl Ponce When families face rough times, the community steps in to help ease the burden of finances, as well as facing recovery and ongoing medical challenges. Syndey Tew has had surgery after surgery on her spine due to her cervical spine being unstable or CCI. This condition has caused significant neurological symptoms. “Over the last year, I’ve started experiencing seizure-like episodes, although I’ve been battling neurological symptoms for nearly 11 years now,” Tew explained. “This has caused me to lose feeling in both arms. I can’t even sneeze without my bones popping out of socket and my vision blacking out at this point. Unfortunately, things have progressed to a point where pain and neurological issues have become unbearable. They have taken away so much of my independence, my ability to be a mom and wife the way I want to be, and honestly, so much of my everyday life. I’ve become bed bound most days because of it.” She has asked for prayers for relief, as Karen Touchstone Josie McConnell well as for her family and finances. With that, her family and friends are stepping up to create benefit auctions, dinner, and GoFundMe page for the cause. Sydney’s Benefit Dinner will take place Sunday, Nov. 15th, from noon to 6:30 p.m. at Parties on Purpose, located at 1309 Airport Industrial Rd. The cost will be $15+ per plate that will consist of brisket, pulled pork, sides with a roll and sheet cake or dessert. All proceeds will go directly toward helping Tew with her medical expenses. In addition to the benefit dinner, there is a raffle for a “Big Beef Bundle,” from Mike’s Meats in Cordell. Tickets are $25 each for $900 value of beef. The bundle includes 20 one-pound tubes of extra lean ground beef; eight ribeye steaks; eight New York strip steaks; four sirloin steaks; two chuck roasts; and one rump roast, plus 20 extra pounds of ground beef. The winner will be announced at the benefit dinner on Nov. 15th. Proceeds will go to Tew and her family’s medical and travel expenses. During the benefit dinner, they will be having a bake sale and silent auction throughout the event. They will have sourdough bread, cakes, pies, cookies, and so much more. They will also be taking Thanksgiving preorders. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the dinner for homemade goodies and take part in their silent auction for amazing items. Tew and her family are in need of support during her surgeries and recovery. It is time for the community to come out to show them support by wrapping them with love and financial blessings. For more information contact Kelli Pena 405-339-1781 or Balinda Winslow 405612-6264. The Western Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors met for their regular monthly meeting last Monday, at noon, in Elk City’s Western Technology Center. President Dr. Dan Storm, opened the meeting, followed by Doug Haught giving the invocation. The board approved the minutes from the September meeting and treasurer’s report, then went on to committee reports. There was one new individual member reported by Cindy Wood, and no reports from the farm and ranch or blacksmith shop. During special committees, Donnie Jordan announced that Jenny Jarnigan’s art and music are now at the Education Building in the museum complex. Randy Haggard gave the museum board a report. He said that there were over 3000 paying visitors during the month of September. One year ago, there were only 2000 WOHS Hall of Fame Inductees – Susie Cupp, visitors during the same Larry McConnell, and month. This year they have Cory Spieker. Reserhad $20,630 income from vations must be made the gift shop sales. He notby Nov 9th to attend ed that they discussed the the banquet that will corral and livery stable be held Nov 17th, at renovations. 6:30 p.m., at the United On November 3rd, they Methodist Church. held Pioneer Day from 10 Tickets are $25 each and may be paid at the a.m. to noon at the library. door with a reservation. They will also have stickCall or text Linda Long ers to put on the US sign. at 405-834-3242. There are 11 buildings that will be getting new roofs due to so many leaks. Linda Long gave the Hall of Fame Banquet report. She said that reservations must be made by Nov 9th, by texting or emailing her. The banquet will take place Nov 17th, at the United Methodist Church, with Cattle Call catering the dinner. The Elk City FFA will be servers for the evening. The next meeting will take place on Nov. 30th, the week after Thanksgiving, at WTC. St. Matthew’s Annual Bazaar Held Sunday By Sheryl Ponce The women of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church will be holding their annual bazaar, country store, and Thanksgiving Buffet on Sunday, Nov.8th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the church. The cost is $15 for adults; ages five through 17 years old will cost $10; and four and under will eat free. All carry outs will cost $15 each. The menu will consist of a turkey din- ner with sides, salads, drinks, and dessert. In addition to the dinner, there will be homemade baked goods for sale and a silent auction. They will also be conducting a raffle for $1 per ticket. In raffle 1, there will be six individual winners for one - $100 gift certificate to Keith’s Butcher Shop; one - $100 gift certificate to Friends Pub and Pizza; one - $100 gift certificate to El Patio; one - $100 gift certificate to McDonald’s; one – gift card Weather tomorrow from Elisha Simon; and one - $100 gift certificate to Butcher Block. The second raffle will give away three $100 in cash to three lucky winners. The third raffle, there will be two winners for one quilt and one Afghan. The country store will offer assortment of gifts and crafts, along with baked items. Make plans to attend, either in person or stop by and get a carry-out dinner while shopping at the country store. 66 / 41 99/70 Vol.No. 122,54 No. 45 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