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CHEROKEE
MESSENGER & REPUBLICAN Vol. 110 No. 1 – 14 Pages, 1 Section
$1,000 gift cards top holiday prize
Cherokee, (Alfalfa County) Oklahoma
ALFALFA ELECTRIC Cooperative Lineman Clint Ream hangs the first of Cherokee’s downtown Christmas decorations Monday afternoon. Cherokee Main Street purchased the lighted doves, made by Lenny Passwater, two years ago and will add eight matching decorations this year.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 – 50¢
Candidates for the boards of education in Alfalfa County school districts may file Declarations of Candidacy beginning at 8 a.m. Monday. The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Wednesday. "The board member position to be filled in each school district in Alfalfa County is the five-year term Office No. 2 position," said county Election Board Secretary Kelly Stein. While most associate only the Cherokee, Timberlake, Burlington and Aline-Cleo school districts with Alfalfa County, there are actually nine districts with a presence in the county. Along with the four listed above are Chisholm, Medford, Ringwood, Alva and Northwest Technology Center. In addition to the Office No. 2 position, Ringwood School District has a three-year unexpired term for Office No. 4 to fill, and Aline-Cleo School District has a four-year unexpired term for Office No. 5 and a five-year term
for Office No. 2 on the ballot. Amber Wilhite currently holds Office No. 2 in the Cherokee District, while James Maltbie holds the seat in the Burlington District and Michael Foster fills the position in the Timberlake District. Scott Robinson holds the post for Office No. 2 and Duane Dobbs was appointed to Office No. 5 following the resignation of Doug Keaton on the AlineCleo board. Max Ott of Cherokee was appointed to the five-year term for Zone 2 of Northwest Technology Center's board, and Brian Gaddy holds Office No. 2's five-year term on Alva Board of Eduation. "Candidates for the member of the Board of Education of every school district or technology center school district shall file the Declarations of Candidacy with the Secretary of the county Election Board," See FILING Page 3
Collision claims lives of Cherokee, Nash women
LORI LAVON BOWMAN
A relatively quiet holiday weekend turned tragic Friday morning when two women – one from Cherokee and the other from Nash – lost their lives in a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 132 near the correction line between Grant and Garfield counties. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Sparks, who investigated the accident listed the actual location as .8 of a mile north of Coal Road on SH 132. Lori Lavon Bowman, 49, of Cherokee, and Janice Louise Todd, 73, of Nash, both died at the scene of the accident from their injuries. Mrs. Todd was alone in her 2000 Chrysler van, while Mrs. Bowman had three passengers in her 2002 Honda van. They included Bowman's son, 14-year-old Tanner Bowman; a friend of the family, 16-year-old Austin Huckabee; and Shannan Shepherd, 19. Shepherd resides in Cherokee with the Bowman family, but attends high school in Medford.
T’lake super will ask BOE for new vote By STEVE BOOHER Messenger & Republican Staff HELENA – To say that the Timberlake Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Brent Rousey were disappointed in the outcome of the $925,000 bond issue narrowly defeated by district school patrons on Nov. 8 might be an understatement. "My initial reaction was disappointment," Rousey told the Messenger & Republican in an exclusive interview Monday. "But I suppose I wasn't totally surprised, because it's the climate these days to say no to all kinds of taxes." The bond issue was presented as two proposals. Proposition No. 1 called for $690,000 for the
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School board filing begins on Monday
Sure sign of Christmas
By KORINA DOVE Messenger & Republican Staff “Tickets are out. They have been distributed, and this year’s fabulous prize is $1,000 in gift cards to United,” said Cherokee Main Street Program Manager Susie Koontz about this year’s annual Christmas promotion. The purpose of the Christmas promotion is to encourage residents to support local businesses and shop at home. Koontz hopes individuals will shop locally all year ‘round, but Main Street likes to offer incentives to keep folks in town during the holidays. “A person is going to win ten $100 gift cards,” Koontz said. In years past, Main Street has awarded a hot tub and a pellet smoker. This year’s prize might sound less fancy but packs a Christmas punch. “No one would not have fun with $1,000 at the grocery store,” Koontz said. “They can spend one (gift card) now. They can spend one a month from now. They could give them as stocking stuffers.” Tickets are available now at any and all merchants in Cherokee. Shoppers will receive tickets when they purchase haircuts, tire changes, snacks, gas, meals, toys, crafts or anything bought in town. Tickets will go into a hopper, and four names will be pulled out Dec. 17 in the United Supermarket parking lot. Three winners will receive gift baskets loaded with prizes. “I’m going to have neat things representing all the retail establishments in Cherokee,” Koontz said. See PRIZE Page 2
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completion of a new roof on the auditorium and install security high school, air conditioning cameras at the high school. units for the high school, new "SUPER MAJORITY" lighting for the football and NEEDED FOR PASSAGE baseball fields and new seatA majority of district voting in the ers favored gymnasium. Proposi“If I had to analyze Proposition tion No. 1 No. 1 also what cost us the election, – 176 to 138 included a – garnerproposal to I’d say it was voter apathy ing 56.05 replace the and us not getting enough percent apcooling sysproval. But tem in the yes voters to the polls.” bond isgreenhouse, sues must – Brent Rousey receive A put new T’lake Superintendent "super madoors on the high school, jority," or purchase a 60 percent small utility tractor for main- approval for passage. tenance, make repairs to the Proposition No. 2 to spend
Inside today... Wheat Price.............................. 3 Opinion Page........................... 4 Lifestyles.................................. 6 Funerals................................... 7 Sports................................... 8, 9 Legals......................... 11, 12, 13 Classifieds............................. 13
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Cherokee city commissioners ponder Qando, water sales and flying rocks.
$235,000 for a 65-passenger bus, an activity bus, a Suburban, and a pickup for the district's vocational-agriculture department received even more support – 186 yes votes to 127 no votes – but failed by .58 percent from reaching the magic 60 percent needed for passage. "If I had to analyze what cost us the election," said Rousey, "I'd say it was voter apathy and us (bond supporters) not getting enough yes voters to the polls." Rousey, who is in his sixth year as superintendent of a school district that encompasses the communities of Jet, Nash, Helena and Goltry, said he will approach the Timberlake Board See VOTE Page 3
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Aline-Cleo will crown a queen and king at Friday’s cage homecoming.
Friends said Mrs. Bowman and her passengers had spent most of Thursday night shopping in Enid and were on their way home. Mrs. Bowman is the wife of Cherokee City Manager Don Bowman. In his accident report, Trooper Sparks said the accident occurred at 7:55 a.m. Friday. Mrs. Bowman was northbound on SH 132, while Mrs. Todd was southbound on the highway. Mrs. Bowman's vehicle apparently went left of center and Mrs. Todd took evasive action, also steering left of center. When Mrs. Bowman corrected her steering, the two collided in the northbound lane, according to Sparks. Mrs. Bowman was pinned in her vehicle for about 35 minutes and Mrs. Todd for about 15 minutes. Both were wearing seat belts. Also wearing a seat belt was Shepherd, who was a passenger in the front seat of Mrs. Bowman's van. The two boys, riding in the See WOMEN Page 5
‘Home(s) for Christmas’ Six residences on annual holiday tour
By KORINA DOVE Messenger & Republican Staff This year’s Holiday Home Tour features everything from antique and classic Christmas decorations to modern and fun-natured bedazzlements. Bo and Heidi Ginder at 1406 Kay Ave. will give visitors a peek at their new contemporary-style kitchen and hardwood floors while providing a fun tour through their living and dining areas lined with traditional family decorations and bright holiday cheer. “We decorated our tree with deco-mesh with a fun, whimsical tree topper that Shelly Smith designed,” Heidi said. Lime green, red and gold accents throughout their home provide a jolly atmosphere for their 4-year-old Lanie and 5-month-old Trevon. Tourists can enjoy refreshments at the Ginder’s brick See TOUR Page 2
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CHS Academic team places 3rd at District, qualifies for Area Tourney.