The annual Christmas in July at Foss lake celibates its 17th year. More From Woodward News

Foss State Park is hosting its 17th annual Foss Lake Christmas in July Festival July 10-12. Organizers estimate about 10,000 people from around the country will attend.

Christmas in July began as a way to recognize and honor area veterans. According to a festival press release, at least part of the funds raised will be donated to the Clinton Veterans Center.

This year the festival will feature a carnival, live music, a talent show, poker runs for motorcycles and watercraft, a lighted boat parade and a fireworks display, as well as the Foss Fear Factor competition. Entry fees are required for some events; cash prizes will be awarded in those events.

In addition, vendors from around the state will be on hand to sell wares ranging from antiques to jewelry to home decor and more. There will also be a food court and a wine court.

The festivities kick off the evening of Thursday, July 10, at 5 p.m., Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m., and will end at 11 each night. Entry is free and the event is open to the public. To reach Foss State Park, take Hwy. 34 South to Hwy. 73 East and look for signs.

Why wait until the last minute to get your children vaccinated for school? OSDH recommends avoiding the rush and get it done now.

OK.gov - State Health Department Recommends Early Start

Even though the school year recently ended, this is a good time to prepare for the next school year by arranging to get children vaccinated as soon as possible. Parents who take their children for vaccination now can avoid the back-to-school rush in late July and August, according to public health officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

"Vaccinating our children against preventable diseases is one of the most important things parents and caregivers can do for their children," says Dr. Michael Crutcher, Secretary of Health and State Health Commissioner. "In the past 50 years, school vaccination laws have helped eliminate major disease outbreaks from occurring. However, we must continue to assure children are protected as these diseases, including measles, are still a threat to children in the United States."

More...

www.ok.gov/health | More information on immunizations: imm.health.ok.gov

Assistance is available for Elk City low-income families with purchasing school uniforms.

Back 2 School Care is a program that will provide assistance to low-income families with purchasing school uniforms and supplies. The program is sponsored by the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center, Inc. Families may apply beginning Monday June 16 from 9am to 5pm, and every Monday and Thursday throughout the rest of the summer. Parents or legal guardians (with proof of guardianship) must provide their ID and Social Security card and each child's Social Security card and Sooner Care card. WOFCC's offices are located at 816 West 6th street in Elk City.

(Information from the 6/18/08 Elk Citian)

Related: School Board Adopts School Uniforms

State and local investigators are interrogating a Custer County man this afternoon who was arrested after allegedly holding eight people hostage at gunpoint earlier today at a veterinary clinic near Clinton.

More @ NewsOK.com

A look at some of the wind damage around Elk City after Thursday night's storm.

We're still getting everything booted back up from last nights power outage. A glimps of the storm damage can be seen all along the roadways, from tree limbs to overturned trucks.

From NewsOK.com: Storms leave damage, power outages

The only injury reported was to a firefighter who was hurt as he helped crews battle a fire that began when strong winds knocked power lines down onto a wheat field in Gotebo in southwestern Oklahoma, authorities said.

... Public Service Company of Oklahoma reported about 31,900 outages, including customers in Chouteau, Elk City and the Tulsa area.

The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives had 4,150 outages affecting customers in Cherokee, Butler, Foss Lake and Canton.

City crews were trying to power to customers in Altus.

... Custer County, high winds flipped three airplanes over at the Clinton airport and blew over six barns in the town, state officials said. A travel trailer also was toppled by high winds on Interstate 40, officials said.

In Beckham County, 70 mph winds are being blamed for roof damage to buildings and to residences in the county, Emergency Management Director Lonnie Risenhoover said. ...

This from KOCO: Gotebo Threatened By Out-Of-Control Fire

Evacuations are under way in a southwestern Oklahoma town because of an out-of-control wildfire on Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

Residents in and near Gotebo are threatened by a blaze moving northward into town and being fueled by 45 mph winds.

Authorities with the Kiowa County Emergency Management office are asking residents to evacuate immediately.

People who are located west of Main Street in Gotebo are being asked to drive west toward Hobart. Those located east of Main Street in Gotebo should drive east toward Mountain View.

Walkers will go around the clock to fight cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Beckham County. Teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at the Elk City Football Field for an overnight Relay to join the fight against cancer June 6 at 7:00 pm and ending on June 7 at 7:00 am. We encourage all cancer survivors, and their caregivers to join us before the relay at 6:00 pm for hamburgers and hot dogs.
(via 6/4/08 Elk Citian)

Find an Event near you at www.relayforlife.org

• Relay For Life of Elk City
  6/6/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Elk City, OK
• Relay For Life of Lawton
  6/13/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Lawton, OK
• Relay For Life of Kiowa County
  6/20/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Hobart, OK
• Relay For Life of Woodward
  6/20/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Woodward, OK
• Relay for Life of Caddo County
  6/20/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Anadarko, OK
• Relay For Life of Altus
  7/11/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Altus, OK
• Relay For Life of Hinton
  7/18/2008 7:00:00 PM
  Football Field Hinton, OK

Children in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to visit the Elk City Youth Library every Tuesday in June. K-2 will meet 10:30 - 11:30 and grades 3-6 will meet 11:30 - 12:30. Movies will be shown every Tuesday from 2-3:30, and there will be a magic show on June 17 at 10:30. Sign up at the library.
(via 6/4 Elk Citian)

www.elkcity.com/library

The Model T Club of Southern California stopped in Elk City during their Sea to Sea By Model T - Model T Ford 100th Birthday Cross Country Tour. Read more at BlogOklahoma.us