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CITY OF WAURIKA CODE ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

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News Release
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The City of Waurika recognizes the value of setting goals and developing priorities to reach our objectives. Waurika Code Enforcement plans to employ an aggressive and diversified code enforcement operation that brings clarity and unification to the community while emphasizing a consistent and systematic approach to enforcement to effectively remedy violations.

Code Enforcement Vision

A community where all residential and commercial properties are maintained in a fashion that emphasizes an aesthetically pleasing City, that encourages community pride, preserves neighborhood integrity, protects the public health and well-being, and maintains property values within the community.

Code Enforcement Mission

To conduct a comprehensive code enforcement effort that fosters voluntary compliance, effects prompt correction of noted violations, and that is consistent, fair and equitable in its application. 

Top 5 Code Enf. Issues Facing the City of Waurika

  1. Failure to maintain grass and trees
  2. Excessive trash/debris in yard
  3. Dilapidated structures 
  4. Littering/Illegal Dumping
  5. Failure to obtain building permits

Citizens Urged to Vote Yes on August 23

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News Release
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Jefferson County residents will go to the polls on Tuesday, August 23 for a special run-off election that includes voting on maintaining a one cent sales tax that was originally earmarked for the Jefferson County Hospital.  The Jefferson County Hospital Authority no longer needs those funds, but our county officials want to put those dollars to work for some much needed projects.

“Keeping the one cent sales tax active will allow us to keep our county government local,” stated Bryce Bohot, Jefferson County Commissioner for District One. “It’s essentially the same idea as keeping our hospital local and keeping those important services available here, we need to ensure that we keep our county services here, too.”

“It’s important to note that voting yes on the sales tax, does not increase your property taxes.  It only impacts sales tax and it is not an increase from what you are currently paying,” Bohot continued. 

In order to keep services local, the one cent sales tax would be used for many improvements, including, but not limited to the following areas: 

• To ensure that necessary repairs can be made to our County Courthouse and Jefferson County Fairgrounds buildings. 

• To comply with Oklahoma state statutes on paying all elected officials & first deputies out of the county general fund.

• Bring our County Jail up to state mandated codes.  

• Increasing the dollars available for improving our county roads.

• Operating at a level where there is matching funding available for grants to support future projects without additional indebtedness.

County officials have scheduled a series of Town Meetings for area residents to get their questions answered about the importance of keeping the one cent tax for Jefferson County.  The meeting days and times are:  Addington, Monday, August 8, 6 p.m., Addington Community Center; Hastings, Monday, August 8, 7:30 p.m. Hastings Senior Citizens Center; Terral/Grady, Tuesday, August 9, 6 p.m., Terral Community Center; Ryan/Sugden, Friday, August 12, 6 p.m. Ryan Senior Citizens Center; Ringling, Monday, August 15, 6 p.m. Ringling Community Center; Claypool, Monday, August 15, 7:30 p.m. Claypool Community Center; and Waurika/Sugden, Tuesday, August 16, 6 p.m. Waurika Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway, Waurika. 

Local girl returns home to care for patients at JCH

By
Curtis Plant
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Waurika High School alumnus, Randi Berry, has returned home to provide rehabilitation care at Jefferson County Hospital. She attended Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, TX) and then transferred to the University of Oklahoma where she earned her Physical Therapy degree.

“My first job out of school was with Duncan Regional Hospital,” said Randi. “I then worked for a home health care in Wichita Falls and now I am back.”  As a physical therapist, Randi works with a wide range of patients. For those recovering from knee replacement surgery to those requiring reconditioning after a long hospital stay.

Therapy services offered include:

• Exercises focused on improving strength and mobility

• Instruction on safe and correct use of walker, canes, braces and artificial limbs

• Improving everyday living skills including dressing and eating

Randi and her team are here to help those who have suffered functional loss due to a disabling illness or injury.  “Our goal is to get you moving again,” shared Randi.

Randi is married to Josh, a firefighter for Wichita Falls, and they have two children.

About Duncan Regional Hospital

Serving Stephens and the surrounding counties since 1977, Duncan Regional Hospital has a state-wide reputation as one of the premiere Oklahoma hospitals for medical excellence, advanced technology and nationally recognized high levels of patient satisfaction and is a 138-bed nationally accredited hospital.  To learn more visit www.duncanregional.com    

 

“My first job out of school was with Duncan Regional Hospital,” said Randi. “I then worked for a home health care in Wichita Falls and now I am back.”

 

 

Waurika Head Start Graduation

By
Curtis Plant
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Waurika Head Start 2018 Graduates are Genevieve Borsch, Dalaynie Campiche, Cassly Childress, Kylie Garrison, Isaac Houston, Brynlee Lantrip, Brynleigh Lindsey, Kadence Lindsey, Travis Miller, Camdyn Morris, John Overstreet, Blaikley Taylor, Mya Torres. Photo by Curtis Plant

Waurika’s Head Start is ready to begin their educational career.

Here are this year’s graduate:

Waurika Head Start 2018 Graduates are Genevieve Borsch, Dalaynie Campiche, Cassly Childress, Kylie Garrison, Isaac Houston, Brynlee Lantrip, Brynleigh Lindsey, Kadence Lindsey, Travis Miller, Camdyn Morris, John Overstreet, Blaikley Taylor, Mya Torres.
Photo by Curtis Plant

Waurika High School Athletes Feted At Recent All-Sports Banquet

By
Curtis Plant
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A number of recognitions were handed out to Waurika High School athletes at the recent All-Sports Banquet held at the school a week ago Tuesday.

 All athletes were given their letters for participation in fast-pitch softball, baseball, powerlifting, football, boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, boys track, girls track and cross country.

 It was an eventful year as many of the teams had great accomplishments, but on this night it was all about individual honors that were well-deserved.

 The Waurika Athletic Booster Club presented scholarships to two senior athletes – Aaron Nitka and Madison Roberson.

 Each of the coaches took time to recognize the athletes for honors or performances they achieved in the 2018-19 school year.

 Here is a list of some of the notable accomplishments by sport:

 Cross Country

State Medalist: Asia Smith

Class 2A All-Star: Asia Smith

Regional Medalist: Asia Smith, Lexie Streeter

 Fast-Pitch Softball

All Southern Eight Conference: Destiny Barnes, third base; Madison Roberson, second base.

All Southern Eight Conference Honorable Mention: Hope Cummings, shortstop; Landry Forsyth, 1st base.

 Football

Oklahoma Eight-Man Football Coaches Association All-Stars: Aaron Nitka, Colton Bryant.

Oklahoma Eight-Man Football Coaches Association All-Star Alternates: Gatlin Black, Zachary Brown.

District B-4 Player of the Year: Turner Mora

District B-4 Offensive Lineman of the Year: Gatlin Black

District B-4 Defensive Lineman of the Year: Aaron Nitka

District B-4 Newcomer of the Year: Zachary Brown

District B-4 First Team: Colton Bryant, running back; Jordan Watkins, guard; Edwin Garcia, linebacker; Kevin Garcia, cornerback.

District B-4 Second Team: Seth Waid, center; Gabe Jenkins, defensive end; Hunter Wesberry, cornerback; Austin Dyer, defensive end.

Power Lifting

Oklahoma State Power Lifting Meet: Gustavo Gomez, 4th (645 total pounds); Hunter Wesberry, 5th (630 total pounds).

Oklahoma State Power Lifting Meet Results by Division: Madison Christian, 3rd; Olivia Ralls, 7th; Landry Forsyth, 10th.

State Eight-Man School Meet: 123 Pound Division: 3rd – Gustavo Gomez, 625 pounds; 5th – Hunter Wesberry – 600 pounds; 13th – Dallas Fristoe, 400 pounds; 132 Pound Division: 15th – Sara Ballard, 400 pounds; 145 Pound Division: 6th – Colton Bryant, 765 pounds; 157 Pound Division: 15th – Landry Forsyth, 580 pounds; 198 Pound Division: 10th – Olivia Ralls, 665 pounds

Boys Basketball

Oil Field Conference 1st Team: Aaron Nitka

Oil Field Conference 2nd Team: Kevin Garcia

Oil Field Conference Honorable Mention: Cache Arellano, Turner Mora

Southern Eight Conference 2nd Team: Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Cache Arellano.

All-Area Basketball: Aaron Nitka

Girls Basketball

Oil Field Conference 1st Team: Madison Roberson, Asia Smith

Oil Field Conference 2nd Team: Lexie Streeter.

Oil Field Conference Honorable Mention: Hope Cummings, Madison Dees, Tallin Mora, Faith Roberson, Gracie Walling

Southern Eight Conference Most Valuable Player: Madison Roberson

Southern Eight Conference 1st Team: Asia Smith

Souther Eight Conference 2nd Team: Gracie Walling, Tallin Mora.

All-Area Basketball: Madison Roberson

Boys Track

Regional Champions: 800 Meter Relay (Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Nic Alvarado, Colton Bryant); 1,600 Meter Relay (Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Colton Bryant, Cache Arellano); 400 Meters, Turner Mora; Discus, Aaron Nitka

State Track Meet Medalists: 400 Meters, Turner Mora; 800 Meter Relay (Turner Mora, Colton Bryant, Nic Alvarado, Kevin Garcia); 1,600 Meter Relay, (Kevin Garcia, Turner Mora, Colton Bryant, Cache Arellano)

State Track Meet Qualifier: 3,200 Meters (Cache Arellano, Bryson Hernandez, Gustavo Gomez, Octavio Gomez.

Girls Track

Regional Champion: Shot Put, Madison Roberson.

State Track Meet Champion: Shot Put, Madison Roberson

State Track Meet Medalists: 1,600 Meters, Asia Smith; Discus, Madison Roberson.

State Track Meet Qualifier: 3,200 Meters (Asia Smith, Lexie Streeter, Faith Roberson, Tallin Mora.

 Baseball

Oil Field Conference Most Valuable Player: Aaron Nitka

Oil Field Conference First Team: Gatlin Black, catcher; Bowden Forsyth, first base; Hunter Wesberry, infield; Zac Brown, outfield; Austin Dyer, outfield.

Oil Field Conference Honorable Mention: Jordan Watkins

Southwest Coaches Association All-Area: Aaron Nitka

Region Five All-Stars: Austin Dyer, Gatlin Black, Zachary Brown.

Round Ryan

By
Dennis Underwood
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 I recently changed my place of employment.  I now work for the Town of Ryan and do whatever is needed.  Interestingly my primary responsibility so far has been supervising a gaggle of teenagers that came seeking summer employment.  A lot of people are finding humor in the idea of my being in charge of, being patient with and teaching ten teenagers.  Yes, you read that right, ten young people looking at me like I know what I am doing.  It has been an interesting experience to say the least.  The first lesson that I imparted was that they needed to speak louder and not so fast.  As I age, my hearing has suffered from years of being around a lot of noise.  After me repeatedly having to say what, they have gotten into the habit of speaking louder.  If your child is one of my crew and they have started talking louder at home, I am to blame.  An important series of lessons that I have tried to teach have been about safety at work.  Wear your safety glasses, hearing protection when operating power tools, don’t stand there , don’t put your hand there and in one instance, go home and change your shoes, sandals are not acceptable at work.  Having never raised children myself, it has also been a learning experience for me.  The first advice that I received was, treat them like they are human.  Okay I can handle that, I think.  I also had to learn to let go and let them make mistakes on their own.  The best way to learn a job is by doing.  I had to remember myself as a kid and being allowed to try and fail and learn from the failure.  I owed it to these young people to let them try and at times fail and hopefully to learn.  No one comes into this world knowing anything useful but whenever I let one of them operate power equipment or climb behind the wheel of a vehicle, I am still as nervous as that proverbial long tailed cat.  I don’t know how parents manage.  I don’t want to leave you with the idea that it has been a negative experience because it hasn’t been in the least.  It has at times for me been highly entertaining to see just how goofy a cluster of teenage boys can be and no, I was no better at that age, I was just as goofy.  I hope that the summer employees have learned something useful and the importance of public service.  To all of the young people, thank you for your efforts.

 Y’all take care of one another. 

New Store in Town

By
Curtis Plant
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 Waurika Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony last week for the newest business in town, Survivor Arms. 

The new store is a hunter’s dream come true. Owner Ben Merritt is a firearms aficionado. He loves guns. He knows Guns. It’s more than just a hobby, it’s a passion he loves to share with his customers.

He has a wide variety of guns totaling around 185 as of this writing. 

Thus far business has been good. Traffic has been consistent. 

It was hard  for us to complete an interview during working hours because of the number of customers who kept coming through the door. Needless to say, this is encouraging to a new business owner.

en Merritt examines a gun belonging to James Heath of Ryan.
Photo by Curtis Plant

Ben Merritt is originally from Flower Mound, just outside of Lawton. Growing up he has always had a keen interest in hunting and a healthy respect for firearms. Ben is an avid hunter The deer heads mounted in the Gun Store were all from Jefferson County. 

The first gun he ever owned was a 22 rifle he received for Christmas when he was twelve years old. It’s the only thing he had wanted that year. That Christmas morning he had accidentally opened a present early that contained 22 caliber bullets. At first he was disheartened because he now had the bullets but didn’t have a gun. Later that same day he received the 22 rifle as a present from his older brother. It’s a fond memory he cherishes deeply.

He and his wife, Darcy, met at Sutherlands Lumber yard. His wife was born and raised in Illinois. Her brother joined the military and was transferred to Lawton. Darci moved to Lawton in order to live closer to him. The two met at Sutherlands and have been together ever since. Ben worked for the Fire Department for 16 years. He also had fishing and lure business he started around 2008. It was very successful. He even started a fishing store in Lawton, called Top Five Tackle, that he was able to sell after it became profitable. 

In 2005 Ben and his wife, Darci. moved to Waurika. They were attracted to Waurika because they wanted to raise their future family in a smaller community. Darcy taught at Waurika for a year and then transferred to Grandview. Their daughters are Kayleigh and Loralei. 

Some of the many rifles on display at Survivor Arms.
There are currently around 185 guns for sale.

He recently won his bout with cancer. T-Cell Lymphoma. He contracted the disease while working as a fireman in Lawton. He originally thought he was fighting sinus infections. Because they were not clearing up with the use of antibiotics, the doctor said he needed surgery. Thankfully he was on vacation at the time and was able to get it under way immediately. During the surgery the doctor discovered he had T-Cell Lymphoma. After some aggressive treatments, he is now cancer free. Coincidently, the surgery occurred  on his 39th birthday. It also ended his firefighting career. 

Although was able to retire at the age 40, his desire to remain active and productive wouldn’t allow him to just sit at the house. That’s just one of the reasons he opened Survivor Arms.

Ben Merritt inside his store, Survivor Arms, on Main Street Downtown Waurika.

Along with rifles, pistols, ammo, targets, knives, a ladies crossbow, and various accessories, he also offers items that appeal to other family members such as clothing, and home decor items. There are even toys to occupy the children as dad shops for a great hunting rifle. Along with new guns he also sells lightly used guns. In the near future he will be selling suppressors (silencers) as well. He is currently working with 8 distributers. Therefore, he has a wide variety of brand names to choose from. 

Biff Eck says it’s nice to see another building downtown occupied with a business that is meeting a need. Ben knows his business. 

Although he and his family have been members of the community for years, it’s nice to welcome them to the business community as well. Congratulations!

Round Ryan June 21 2018

By
Mollye Compton
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Ryan Main Street

Summer is officially here by the time this paper gets circulated on Thursday morning.  I thought it arrived about a month or more ago, based on our temperatures we’ve seen.  Electric bills are getting higher and we are still in great need of rain.  The weather forecasters are predicting that this week we might have a pretty good chance to get some of that moisture.  Outdoor plants are beginning to shrivel up unless they get a regular watering.  Crops are suffering in the fields and ponds can sure use a replenishing, too.

The group of folks that worked so hard on helping to make our town look better, was treated to a lunch by Laura Jackson at The Parlor on Saturday a week ago.  There was even one individual that was not a member of the group, that drove down from Oklahoma City, just to help with the clean up around Ryan.  He got up early Saturday morning to arrive in Ryan by 7:15am to get with the group.  He worked all morning and into the afternoon in the scorching heat.  This individual is Rick Blanchard, son of Theresa Blanchard.  Rick grew up in Ryan and graduated from high school here, too. If this doesn’t make us feel guilty, that there are folks that live in this town, that wouldn’t bother to begin to help make this town look like a town with a lot of pride and people that care about how their town looks. Thanks to Rick, and again to all the rest of the folks that worked so hard together.

Next thing on my list is the Ryan cemetery dinner that took place on Father’s Day.  There was about $12,000 taken in from the meals, auction, and the raffle tickets that were sold. There was a good crowd that came in for the dinner.  Macy Lovett won the rifle and Norman West won the Yeti cooler.  Congratulations to those two.  Thanks to everyone that helped make this event as successful as what it was.  There were a lot of hard workers before, during, and after this event.  Dustan Bryant put out some really good tasting smoked meats for the dinner.  There were a great number of desserts for the meal and for the auction.  The auction brought in $1150.00 and the raffle tickets brought in $2000.00.  The rest was generated from donations and money from the dinners that were served.  There are a lot of people that deserve a pat on the back for making this happen, and thanks to all of them.  It was a great meal and our cemetery can be taken care of a little while longer without having to dip into our city’s moneys. 

There is a shower box for Macie Jo Wright’s wedding at the Ryan Drug Store.  Macie is marrying Austin Masoner from Waurika.  Their shower is July 29th from 2-4pm at the Ryan Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. 

Kim’s news for this week:

I’m so glad for all our Dad’s. By the way, Happy Father’s Day!

This week, I can’t complain, but, we could sure use a rain.  For that, the Lord we should seek. Everyone have a blessed week.

Please remember to continue to ask for blessings of rain, and as Kim said, everyone have a blessed week.  Please pray for each other, too.

Ryan Senior Night

By
Curtis Plant
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Recently, Ryan honored their senior basketball players. They include:

(Player far left) Holland Carter,

Holland’s parents John and Cheryl Carter.

(Center) Travis Fristoe, parents Charles and Jaunita Fristoe (not pictured) His other parents, Clint and Christa Rollins, are in the picture.

(Far right) Laken DeBoard, Laken’s parents, Regina Reimer Darwin DeBoard.

Photo by Sheree hanson

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By
Cora Thomas
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. One of the goals of Women’s Haven is to bring awareness to the community on Sexual Assault. Women’s Haven will have a table at the Wauirka Rattle Snake Round-Up on Saturday April 14th . We will have information on services we provide and information  on sexual assault.

For the kids, we will be doing removable tattoos and have a surprise grab bag for lucky winners. The table will have a marble guessing jar contest and serval door prizes. So, please look for the table decorated in teal for Sexual Assault Awareness Month and get a tattoo, make a guess and get some information on services and sexual assault awareness . 

Women’s Haven will be hosting an Awareness Event and Walk on Saturday, April 28th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Fuqua Park. The event will include a walk for Sexual Assault Awareness, live entertainment, self-defense classes, free food, face painting and a bounce house for kids as well as other activities. 

 Women’s Haven hopes that these events and activities will start conversations on what WE can do as a community to prevent and stop Sexual Assaults from occurring. Also, to bring awareness on this matter not, just for one month, but for every month in the year. For more information regarding Sexual Assault Awareness Month or the services, support and education offered at Women’s Haven, call the 24-hour Crisis Line at 580-252-4357. 

Over 70% of all sexual assaults go unreported, which makes rape the most under-reported crime in the United States. Nationally, crimes of violence, such as murder, have declined in numbers, but sexual assault numbers continue to climb. Victims may not always report the assault because they fear that no one will believe them. Sadly, they may be blamed by their family, friends or community: “If she hadn’t been so drunk,” or “If she hadn’t worn that short skirt,” or “If she hadn’t been out so late,” she wouldn’t have been assaulted. Please remember that a victim is NEVER to blame.

Most rapists are not strangers. In 8 out of 10 cases, the victim knows their rapist. The perpetrator may be a classmate, family member, friend, co-worker or neighbor.  Most assaults do not happen in dark alleys of big cities. They happen in the victim’s own home or the home of the assailant. Rape is not just a big city problem; it is a social problem that affects all citizens and every community.

Sexual violence is about having power and control over another human being. 

Victims will experience many different reactions including shock, denial or disbelief that the event happened. Victims may feel ashamed or embarrassed. They may feel guilty and insecure, or have a fear of being alone. Help victims by believing them, by listening to them and by showing your support for their decisions regarding criminal charges, medical care or counseling.

If you are a victim, tell someone you trust and seek medical care, if needed. If you or someone you love is a victim, 24-hour help is a phone call away. Call Women’s Haven toll-free at 877-970-HELP (4357) or locally at 580-252-4357.

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