April 2020

While El Reno Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White has not ruled out a citywide shelter-in-place order, he is asking residents to use common sense and take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously.

“Just don’t take a chance with the stuff. It’s here (in the county) and what I understand from the numbers sent out from the state that the number of cases will start to climb.”

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has not declared a statewide shelter-in-place order, but White expects one soon. The state is one of 12 nationally not to have such an order.

Vaccines intended to combat or cure the virus that has created a worldwide pandemic could first be given to the Chinese government to be tested there.

Congressman Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, said pharmaceutical companies based in the United States know “China will start lining people up and injecting them” without a second thought as to what the reaction to the drugs might be for their people. He said the same vaccine will need approval from the Federal Drug Administration before human trials begin here.

Irene Anna Perkins departed for her heavenly journey March 31, 2020, after a courageous battle against lung cancer (non-smoker). Due to the coronavirus, a private burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Union City with Rev. Lance Warren officiating. Services are under the guidance of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Private family service for Vernon Lee Bomhoff, 81-year-old Weatherford resident, was held Friday, April 3, 2020, in the Lockstone Funeral Home Chapel with Brother David Lawrence officiating. Burial followed in the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.

Vernon was born May 29, 1938, in El Reno to John Otto and Gladys (Brown) Bomhoff and passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020, in Yukon. Vernon was raised and attended school in El Reno, graduating with the Class of 1956. 

Private services for Mark Evan Fairchild will be held under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Mark died March 12, 2020, in Oklahoma City. He was born Dec. 21, 1987, in Oklahoma City and lived most of his life in Yukon. His passion in life was acting and directing, which he did at the Carpenter Square Theatre. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. 

David Lowe of Belton, Mo., passed away March 26, 2020. 

His parents, Wesley and Luella Lowe preceded him in death.

David is survived by his wife, Aliece; son, Jason (Katie); son, Clay (Stacey); and daughter, Cristen; brother, Michael Lowe and sister, Elaine Hostetler. David is also survived by four grandchildren.

More details at cremationcenterkc.com/david-wesley-lowe/.

El Reno's first confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus has been identified as Associate District Judge Bob Hughey.

Hughey, who oversees the Canadian County Children's Justice Center, has been in self-quarantine at home since March 23.

“I went to the emergency room at Mercy in Oklahoma City,” said Hughey, who was suffering from respiratory issues.

Hughey said he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis but was not tested for the virus at that time.

El Reno fire and police personnel have been cleared to return to work after a report from the state medical examiner showed a patient they came into contact with did not have COVID-19.

However, one confirmed case of the virus has been reported here, said Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White.

White said the confirmed case is believed to be a male in the 55-65 age range. He said the condition of the man was not available, but he did not believe he was hospitalized, but was in self quarantine.

He said no other information was available.

City of El Reno officials are waiting on word from the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on the status of four police officers and one fireman and their possible exposure to COVID-19.

The first responders were answering a reported medical call of a heart attack on Kerry Lane Tuesday night according to Assistant City Manager Matt Sandidge.

“It was called in as a heart attack,” said Sandidge,

El Reno Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White said lifesaving measures were taken on the scene.