Everyone's Blog Posts - West OK Journal

ECHS veterans ceremony set

2009-11-05T22:35:15.000Z

Elk City High School students are planning a special candle-lighting ceremony honoring war veterans next Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. The ceremony is to be held at the Pioneer Center auditorium. The public, and especially all veterans, are invited to attend. The special program will honor all veterans, and will especially honor 118 soldiers and sailors from the Elk City area who lost their lives while serving their country in the line of duty from as far back as the Spanish-American war.

Grave robbers

2009-10-19T16:30:00.000Z

Oklahoma has many small out of the way cemeteries. A few weeks ago one of these small cemeteries was desecrated by some grave robbers. It's always shocking to hear this kind of news, even more so when it happens locally.

Grave robbers sneak into a cemetery and may have stolen a skull. The Beckham County Sheriff says it could be a cult ritual or fraternity stunt. The bones of Tommy Jones were scattered around his grave site. His sister says the family wants the remains returned. -- KOKH

Our prayers go to the Jones family. If you have any information about this please contact the Beckham County Sheriff's department.

(x-posted from BlogOklahoma.us)

Early Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Nov. 1st

2009-10-07T13:30:00.000Z

Early Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

Link: Mrs. Bell: ECHS Guidance Department

2009-10-06T15:00:00.000Z

Mrs. Bell: ECHS Guidance Department

This site is designed to provide Elk City High School Senior parents and students information about upcoming events, deadlines, college/career planning, financial aid, and other tools to assist students and families during this important year.

http://bit.ly/HFb1s

New Casino in Hammon

2009-10-06T14:30:00.000Z

Recent news about a new casino opening in Hammon.

Tribes plan new casino
A joint venture between the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes’ economic development department and the tribes’ Lucky Star Casino enterprise is behind a new gaming operation in western Oklahoma that could create up to 60 jobs. The tribes plan to open a Lucky Star Feather Warrior Casino in Hammon, about four miles north of Elk City. Work on the project should begin next week, with completion expected by mid-March of next year, said Jayson Brave Heart, Lucky Star’s marketing director.
Read more: http://newsok.com/in-brief/article/3404220#ixzz0TAQU3GcR
Published: September 26, 2009

Meet the House District 55 Candidates (KOSU.org Podcast)

2009-09-11T16:30:00.000Z

Meet the two men vying for the House District 55 seat in western Oklahoma.
Podcast at KOSU.org http://is.gd/39BXr
via @KOSUMichaelC

Sayre school stays open amid flu worries

2009-09-11T13:00:00.000Z

Sayre schools deal with H1N1 flu. This from NewsOK.com:

SAYRE — Sayre High School remained open Thursday while a quarter of the students were absent with flu-like symptoms. Superintendent Todd Winn said the school has had 40 to 45 absences daily since Tuesday. Nearly 190 students attend the Beckham County school. The absence rate was normal on Friday when administrators found out some students were being tested for flu. Winn said school officials have worked closely with the county’s health department and local doctors. Some parents of students tested for influenza Type A opted to have their children tested for swine flu, also known as H1N1, and doctors sent samples away for testing, he said. Those results came back positive, Winn said.

"We were told then that we need to assume that anyone with Type A has H1N1,” Winn said. "We’ve done a lot of extra cleaning.”

Students have done a good job of telling teachers and administrators that they feel sick, he said.

Students then are isolated until they can be sent home.

A few cases have been reported at the elementary school, Winn said. The district has 690 students in grades kindergarten through 12.

Lori Herring, assistant director for the chamber of commerce, said businesses across Sayre seem to be operating as usual and not reporting a lot of absence because of flu.

more...

Taco Bell Coming to Elk City and Clinton

2009-09-10T18:30:00.000Z

Noticed in the Elk Citian yesterday a help wanted ad for managers for a new Taco Bell coming to Elk City.
According to the ad it'll be coming in January 2010. If you are interested in a managers position, you can get an application at the Elk City KFC.

I wonder where the new Taco Bell will be? Near the new Walmart??

I also got word a KFC/Taco Bell is coming to Clinton. No details on that.

Old Hospital Demolition Begins

2009-08-25T14:53:20.000Z

The demolition of the old Great Plains Regional Medical Center in Elk City has begun. I'll need to run down there and grab some pics. I was just inside the lobby of the new hospital yesterday, really nice. Hopefully when the old hospital is gone parking will improve. Right now its hard to find a spot even close to the hospital. Next time I need to go there I may just park at the dialysis center about a 1/2 block away.

Larry Wade Endorses Jeri Akins

2009-08-24T14:00:00.000Z

Just read this over a The McCarville Report.

Elk City Daily News Publisher Larry Wade is trying for a hat trick: The veteran newspaperman was the first to endorse David Boren and Brad Henry in their campaigns for governor and now, he's out with an endorsement of Jari Askins.

Wade wrote, "Having looked at the field, we believe she is clearly the person in the position to serve the people of Oklahoma as a strong governor for the next term…"

Noting that Askins "has the broadest range of experience of any of the candidates of either party," the newspaper said, "Her mind is keen. Her integrity is spotless. Her heart is good. She is the kind of leader who brings people together to deal with problems and who has proved that she works to build consensus."

The McCarville Report is a good blog to get all sorts of Oklahoma political news. I don't get the Elk City Daily News, so Wades endorsement was news to me.

.

West OK Highway Construction

2009-08-03T15:35:22.000Z

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation provides a list of all the state road construction in our area.

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/newsmedia/ohcu/div5.htm

Here's what they have listed for Summer 2009 - Visit link above for map.

US-183 - Kiowa Co. - Widen & resurface from Hobart south to SH-19. Winter ’09. Dobson Bros. $1.4 million.
US-183 - Tillman Co. - Widen & resurface from Frederick south 10 miles. Fall ’09. APAC. $1.5 million.
SH-9 - Greer Co. - Resurface from US-283 east to Granite. Fall ’09. Caswell Contrg. $1.4 million. Rumble strips. Summer ’09. Midstate Traffic Control. $155,560 combined:
- SH-8 - Blaine Co. - From Watonga north 1 mile
- US-270 - Blaine Co. - B/t SH-33 and Watonga
- US-270 - Dewey Co. - South of Seiling south to SH-58
- SH-54 - Custer Co. - North of Weatherford north 1 mile
- SH-6 - Beckham Co. - From US-283 to Elk City
I-40 - Caddo Co. - Resurface & cable barrier east of Hydro to MM 106. Fall ’09. Haskell Lemon Const. $8.2 million
I-40 - Beckham Co. - Resurface & bridge between Sayre & Elk City. Winter ’09. Cummins Const. $15.4 million. And resurface, bridge & cable barrier near Sayre west to mm 17. Winter ’009. Cornell Const. $8.6 million.
SH-34 - Custer Co. - Surface work north of SH-33 to SH-47. Summer ’09. Cornell Constr. $3.3 million.
US-270 - Dewey Co. - Reconstruction & bridge work south of Seiling. Fall ’09. J&R Sand. $3.7 million.
SH-73 - Custer Co. - Resurface from SH-34 east to SH-44. Summer ’09. Caswell Contrg. $568,600.
SH-44 - Washita Co. - Resurface b/t Foss & SH-152. Summer ’09. Caswell Contrg. $568,000
I-40 - Washita Co. - Cable barrier in Canute. Summer ’09. JLT Contracting. $1.3 million.
I-40 - Beckham Co. - Bridge work over Sand Creek, 12.5 mi. east of SH-30. Summer ’09. Logos Const. $1 million. Wide-load detour: W. on SH-152 to SH-6, south on SH-30 to I-40
I-40 - Beckham Co. - Bridge work over Red River near Sayre. Spring ’09. Logos Const. $370,000.
SH-6 - Greer Co. - Resurface from SH-9 to US-283. Summer ’09. Cornell Const. $8.4 million.
US-62 - Jackson Co. - Resurface b/t Altus & US-62B. Summer ’09. Dobson Bros. $3.4 million.

Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday: August 7-9, 2009

2009-08-03T14:00:00.000Z

It's a back to school shopping weekend. Oklahoma is having a sales tax holiday, August 7th - 9th.

Beginning at 12:01 am on Friday, August 7, 2009, and ending at twelve midnight on Sunday, August 9, 2009, Oklahoma will hold a sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain clothing and shoes free of sales tax. This includes state and any local sales taxes.

Oklahoma Tax Commission Sales Tax Holiday FAQ

Added Sayre and Weatherford 2009-2010 School Calendars

2009-07-29T19:17:29.000Z

I've added both Sayre Public Schools and Weatherford Public Schools 2009-2010 calendars to our community calendar.

Weatherford Public Schools:
http://www.wpsok.org/Administration/0910distcal.pdf

Sayre Public Schools:
http://www.sayre.k12.ok.us/PDF%20Files/2009-2010%20Calendar.pdf

Post photos and videos from your mobile phone

2009-07-27T20:18:17.000Z

You can add photos and videos to West OK Journal from your phone by sending them to the e-mail address you'll find on the bottom of your profile page. After you log in click on settings then profile.

Just a reminder - Talk it up at WOJ

2009-07-27T20:00:00.000Z

West OK Journal is for the people of Western Oklahoma to get together and talk about what ever is going on.

Share news, pictures, and videos.

Discuss things in our forum.

Have an event coming up? Let everyone know about it.

What's going on at your church, school, or club? Let's talk about it here at West OK Journal.

Have any questions? Just leave a comment or post in the forum.

Elk City Public Schools 2009-2010 Calendar

2009-07-27T15:30:00.000Z

I've posted Elk City Public Schools 2009-2010 school calendar to our Google Calendar today.

Download a pdf from Elk City Public Schools
http://www.elkcityschools.com/0910Calendar/Calendar%2009-10.pdf

2009-2010 school calendar
August 2009
10th & 11th Professional Days
12th First Day of Classes

September 2009
7th Labor Day
25th Professional day

October 2009
15th & 16th Fall Break
16th End of 1st Quarter
19th Begin 2nd Quarter
23rd Parent Conference

November 2009
25th - 27th Thanksgiving Break

December 2009
18th End of 2nd Quarter
21st - Jan. 1st Winter Break

January 2010
4th Begin 3rd Quarter

February 2010
19th Professional Day

March 2010
12th End of 3rd Quarter
15th - 19th Spring Break
22nd Begin 4th Quarter

April 2010
2nd & 5th Make up Bad Weather
16th Parent Conference

May 2010
19th Last Day of Classes
20th J.H. Graduation
21st H.S. Graduation

Oklahoma House District 55 Election Set

2009-07-27T14:00:59.000Z

Gov. Brad Henry has scheduled an October special election to fill a vacant office in the State House of Representatives.

Ryan McMullen resigned the House District 55 seat earlier this month to accept a federal appointment as state director of rural development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Under the executive proclamation signed by Gov. Henry, filing for the House office will be held on August 3, 4 and 5. The primary and general elections are scheduled for September 8 and October 13 respectively.

House District 55 represents all of Washita County and portions of Kiowa, Caddo and Canadian counties.

(via Office of Governor Brad Henry - Gov. Henry sets October election to fill House seat)

City sells electrical supply system to PSO

2009-07-09T16:25:13.000Z

From The Elk Citian

City Commissioners accepted a $3.1 million bid from PSO for the city-owned electrical supply system. That action came in an executive session that took about an hour-and-a-half at Monday night's regular meeting. The commission was split, voting 3-2 for the acceptance of the bid. Commissioner Tom Mike Johnson and Mayor Teresa Mullican voted against accepting the bid. Commissioners Roy Burson, Tom Davis and Bruce Byerly voted to accept it. The vote only required a simple majority.

Elk Citian Now Online

2009-06-26T03:08:20.000Z

Elk City's weekly The Elk Citian is now online at http://www.elkcitian.com

Woman found at Elk City Lake identifed

2009-06-26T03:07:08.000Z

A woman who was found dead in Elk City Lake Monday afternoon has been identified.
Police identified Angel Love Gilbreath, 27, of Elk City, as the victim whose body was found floating on the southwest side of Elk City Lake shortly after 4 p.m. Monday. More...

Elk City Seeks Public Help Identifying Murder Victim

2009-06-23T18:40:45.000Z

Elk City Seeks Public Help Identifying Murder Victim
http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=10580806

News9.com ELK CITY, Oklahoma -- The Elk City Police Department needs public help indentifying a woman found dead in Elk City Lake Monday afternoon.

Several people fishing on the lake on the south edge of the city discovered the woman and called police.

Detectives believe the woman had been in the water for several hours. Detectives have determined from the condition of the body, the woman is a victim of homicide.

The Caucasian woman is thought to be in her mid 30's, about 5'5" tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, and has shoulder-length brown hair. She has a tattoo of a butterfly on her lower back. The woman was wearing a wedding ring on her left hand that had three small stones that appeared to be diamonds.

The victim's body is at the medical examiner's office in Oklahoma City for an autopsy.

If anyone recognizes the woman, please contact the Elk City Police Department at 580-225-1212.

Twitter hash tags, the weather, and a proposal

2009-06-23T15:15:28.000Z

I posted an article over at our sister site, Blog Oklahoma, about using hash tags to track weather on Twitter, and suggesting we get a list together for people as a reference. You can read it here.

The (former) Custer County Sheriff isn’t looking so hot…

2009-06-08T19:30:00.000Z

The Lost Ogle posted a couple of mug shots of former Custer county sheriff Mike Burgess.

Read the rest at The Lost Ogle

WOJ Forum - Burgess Trial Round-up

..

New SuperCenter Walmart for Elk City

2009-06-04T13:00:00.000Z

The City of Elk City and Walmart have come to an agreement to build a brand new SuperCenter on the east side of town along the south side of I-40 at exit 40.

click for larger view

This is from the Elk Citian Wed June 3, 2009 (Page 4, Section B)

"Plans for a new Walmart SuperCenter are now under way after the City of Elk City met Monday night and passed a motion to enter into an agreement with Oklahoma Walmart Real Estate Business Trust and Elk City Land Development LLC. The new 24-hour model store will also have space available along the frontage for various retail sites. The new store will be located just off Interstate 40 at Exit 40 in an area north of the current Elk City Industrial Park. Completion is expected in the spring of 2011."

There's a good more detailed article about this in this Wednesday's Elk Citian (6/3/09).

Why We Approve New Members Before They Join

2009-05-12T16:35:59.000Z

Many of you might be wondering why we have the "Approve new members before they can join" option set. A while back we got flooded with spammers joining and spreading some inappropriate content. It took quite a bit of time to clean up the mess. One of the social networks we setup for a sister site was so overwhelmed by this inappropriate behavior we just pulled the plug on the whole thing. This was not the fault of Ning or how Ning works, it was just some bad people doing bad things. So from then on we started to approve who joins the network. We realize its an inconvenience, but after the mess we went through, we thought it the best option. Just about everyone gets approved, and hopefully within a day we get notice.

Feeding Hope - Letter Carrier Food Drive May 4th

2009-05-08T13:00:00.000Z

This Saturday, May 9th, letter carries around the country will be picking up food donations in order the help "Stamp Out Hunger". The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is in a month long drive also.

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s 7th annual Feeding Hope and Letter Carriers Food Drive starts May 4 and ends May 22, 2009. This month-long food and fund drive that brings together metro businesses and individuals. The goal of the food drive is to raise canned food items to help the Food Bank and its partner agencies feed more hungry Oklahomans; raise monetary donations to assist in the distribution of food to partnering agencies; raise awareness of the issue of hunger in Oklahoma; and promote a spirit of community togetherness to combat a serious social problem.

The 17th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Food Drive is on May 9, 2009. Local letter carriers will pick up nonperishable food donations on their mail routes for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma on Saturday, May 9th. Postal customers will receive a plastic bag in the mail and are asked to fill these bags with canned food items and leave them by their mailbox – the letter carriers will do the rest.

regionalfoodbank.org/feedinghope

Stamp Prices Rise on May 11th

2009-05-04T16:23:17.000Z

The cost to mail that letter is about to go up again on May 11th. It would probably be a good idea to go down to the post office, and buy a roll of Forever Stamps this week.

On May 11 the price for a 1-ounce First-Class Mail stamp will increase from 42¢ to 44¢. Prices for other mailing services — Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services (including Parcel Post), and Extra Services — will also change. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

USPS.com: Mailing Services Prices Effective Monday, May 11, 2009

Pages, Links, Maps, Notes, and Genealogy

2009-04-11T15:00:00.000Z

Organizing a bit today. I've nested a few of our "Pages" under the "Pages" menu item. There you'll find community links, a new Genealogy page, maps, and others. If you have any suggestions for a page or link to be added for these pages, just post a comment.

Elk City Election Results

2009-04-09T13:08:53.000Z

Vote for April 7, 2009 local elections:

Mayor
Teresa Mullican, 858
Judy Potter, 634
Bob Ash, 100

Commissioner Ward 2
Tom Mike Johnson 791
Kent Watkins, 786

Commissioner Ward 3
Tom Davis, 890
Don Wham, 697

As reported in the April 8, 2009 Elk Citian

Elk City Spring Clean Up Week

2009-03-31T13:30:00.000Z

It's spring clean up week in Elk City, April 27, 2009-May 2, 2009:

The City of Elk City will allow the residents of Elk City free dumping at the landfill during the week of April 27, 2009-May 2, 2009. Simply show your current water bill and any amount of residential trash or limbs (no roofing or remodeling trash) will be accepted at the landfill. All loads must be under a tarp, tied down or bagged.

During the week of May 4, 2009-May 8, 2009 the City will pick up items that you were unable to deliver to the landfill during the free week of dumping. There will be a limit of two items per household. Please call in all collection requests to the City Shop at 225-1414. All Requests must be called in by May 1, 2009.