April 2020

El Reno police are working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation after the body of a man was found Sunday morning in what is an apparent homicide.

Assistant Police Chief Kirk Dickerson said the man’s body was found lying in the street in the 100 block of North Barker.

The body was found about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. Reports said officers found the man unresponsive and called for an ambulance.

Pafford Emergency Medical Services arrived and declared the man deceased.

Members of the El Reno Public Schools Board of Education were scheduled to meet by teleconference Monday evening.

This was the first time the board collectively used Zoom, a video conference app. Each board member was expected to connect to the app through their phone or computer. In addition, they planned to use their school-issued iPad to read items on the agenda.

While most board members were scheduled to participate remotely, Assistant Superintendent Matt Goucher was on location at the school’s administration office.

Computer repair specialist Frank Bretz found a way to advertise and add a little humor to his COVID-19 mask.

New York City and Boise City, Okla., are very different places.

That’s not a news flash to most, but it is to some who want COVID-19 responses implemented nationwide as though there’s no difference between one state and the next.

An important debate is under way about our nation’s federalist system, which gives states great latitude to adopt different policy approaches based on differing local conditions — including how states work to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Easter Bunny paid a visit to some neighborhoods in El Reno on Sunday. Children reportedly kept their social distance but enjoyed seeing the larger than life bunny hopping through the area, leaving Easter eggs along the way.

Residents and family members should protect themselves and their families from encountering COVID-19.

That means understanding what COVID-19 is, how it is spread and why it is dangerous.

Practicing the social distancing rules during this outbreak, which is staying 6 feet apart from another person, and wearing a mask and gloves are ways to prevent encountering the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 can include a sudden onset of a high fever, bodily aches and pains, sore throat/dry cough, shortness of breath and feeling fatigued.

A certain weatherman, who shall remain nameless, reported a light frost early Monday morning in the western part of the state and further predicted snow Monday night.

Sunday morning was lovely but quite suddenly in the early afternoon, a fierce north wind blew in with a vengeance, sending us scurrying to collect blooming iris, honeysuckle, late daffodils and lilacs lest they be lost.

They are comfortably residing in a vase while the outside brick walkway is littered with tiny honeysuckle blooms.  

Barbecue? Ribs? Brisket and burgers?

That all sounds great, and you can get it at Swadley’s through takeout, curbside or drive-thru.

Try the smoked brisket burnt ends with two sides and a roll for $15.79.

Or try it in sandwich form with Texas toast, one side and a drink for $11.99.

LAWSUITS

Citibank N.A. vs. Ronnie D. Thompson for $9,141.83 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Discover Bank vs. Robyn S. Herhold for $8,848.58 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Synchrony Bank vs. Deanna McMillan for $1,427.73 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Paula F. Holder for $1,675.76 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Stephen M. Arnold for $2,129.62 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Debra Donnell “Debby” Pence, age 66, passed away April 10, 2020, in Oklahoma City. She was born to Donald Clinton and Bonnie Mae (Paulk) Artherholt on Oct. 18, 1953.

Debby loved to dance and one of the highlights of her teenage years was dancing on “The Scene” at Channel 4 Studio hosted by WKY disc jockey Ronnie Kaye.

Debby attended Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City. She always loved fashion so while attending school she took a position in the health and beauty department at American Mutual Company (AMC).