The biggest Beckham County story this week is the heat-and-water-supply strain: Rural Water District No. 1 in Carter has called for mandatory conservation because its well field is dropping and it is struggling to keep water towers filled. The request includes no lawn/garden watering or pool filling, alongside continued triple-digit heat.
Main local developments
Water conservation and extreme heat:
The district asks customers to limit nonessential use while it works to maintain service; the broader western Oklahoma forecast called for highs around 100–108°F through the week.
Elk City police equipment grant:
Reported today, the Elk City Police Department received a $5,000 Marathon Petroleum grant to acquire thermal-imaging equipment intended to strengthen public-safety operations.
Record Elk City sales-tax revenue:
Elk City businesses generated $1,579,175.38 in the latest one-month state tax report, the city’s highest ever and its first month above $1.5 million.
School Resource Officers:
Sheriff Derek Manning highlighted the county SRO program serving Merritt, Sweetwater, and Erick schools. Deputies Joseph Coates and Richard Jones are covering the campuses, and the sheriff says information shared with SROs has already led to two non-school-related investigations.
Politics
Election activity:
Early voting began this week for the August 25 election, with Beckham County voting at the Beckham County Activity Center, 310 E. Main St. in Sayre; voting is also scheduled Saturday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Early voting began August 20 for the August 25 election. The headline race is the Republican gubernatorial runoff between Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state senator Mike Mazzei. kgou
President Trump publicly attacked Drummond on August 18 and reiterated support for Mazzei, increasing attention on the governor’s race. thehill
Oklahomans will also vote on State Question 844, involving how the state reimburses local governments for property-tax revenue lost to qualifying manufacturers’ exemptions, and State Question 846, which would put voter-identification requirements into the Oklahoma Constitution. kecofm
Other party-runoff contests include Republican nominations for state superintendent, labor commissioner, and insurance commissioner, plus a Democratic U.S. Senate nomination contest. kgou
Events
Adoption Events
Aug. 24–30
The Elk City Animal Shelter is among the participating shelters in a statewide adoption push with waived or reduced adoption fees. Confirm the shelter’s specific hours and available animals before going.
Elk City softball vs. Clinton
Tue., Aug. 25, 5:00 p.m
Elk City High School softball is scheduled to play Clinton.
West Central Oklahoma Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show
Thu.–Sun., Aug. 27–30
A four-day dog-show cluster at the Elk City Convention Center.
Gossip Corner
Everyone is apparently excited to pay the idiot tax at the new casino when it gets built. I am not a gambler, so I don’t fully know why, but I guess going to Hammond is too far away to drive and get your fix on slots.