May 2020

While he’s excited about the possibility of a re-start to pro basketball, El Reno High School alum Dyson Plumley knows that any National Basketball Association game he watches will bring up some sore memories.

“I’m glad the NBA season could be coming back but it still hurts the way our season ended and not getting to go to the national tourney,” said Plumley.

On March 11, the NBA suspended the Oklahoma City Thunder game with Utah just minutes before tipoff when the news of Jazz player Rudy Gobert’s positive test for the coronavirus surfaced.

If you would have known me growing up, your money would not have been on me to amount to much of anything.

I was a self-conscious kid who was constantly teased for my small stature and my academic failings.

I was regularly taken out of class in elementary school for special education classes to remediate my reading ability and other academic deficiencies.

Wesley United Methodist Church’s United Methodist Women’s Day observance was held May 3 via Facebook by Pastor Allen Carson. Guest speakers were Kristin Harlin representing Mercy Ministries, and Robin Wertz of Exodus House.

It was noted that Circle of Care and New Day Camps were also in need of financial assistance as well as El Reno Mobile Meals, Project Transformation, Ministerial Alliance, Blessing Baskets, Blessing Boxes, Volunteers in Mission and Youth and Family Services.

Richard Nelson Sanders, age 75, of Granbury, Texas, died on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Richard was born March 11, 1945, in Connersville, Ind.

On Aug. 29, 1970, he married his wife of nearly 50 years, Deborah. Together they welcomed son, Eli in 1976, and daughter, Emily in 1978.

Richard is survived by his wife, Deborah; son, Eli and daughter-in-law, Heather; daughter, Emily; granddaughter, Autumn, grandson, Riley, grandson, Zackary and wife, Danielle, with great-grandson, Emerson.

Private graveside services for Margaret Jane McDaniel of Minco will be held under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Jane passed away May 6, 2020, at Grace Living Center in Chickasha. She was born Oct. 13, 1940, in Minco. Jane was raised in the Minco and Cogar communities, graduating from Minco High School. She was a member of the Longview Church in Binger.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Teresa Fletcher of Minco; sisters, Joyce Evans and Helen Smith, both of Chickasha; and two grandchildren.

Services for Novella Lee Ashley are pending with Wilson Funeral Home.

Novella, 78, of El Reno, passed away May 5, 2020.

As El Reno slowly begins the process of emerging from its COVID-19 lockdown, there are lessons that need to be taught about how to survive future pandemics.

Jackie and Deangelo Jenkins, through their local nonprofit organization Children of Hope Community Outreach, have come up with a teaching tool – getting your hands dirty.

In conjunction with Southern Heights Baptist Church, the couple will offer an eight-week summer camp for children with a focus on innovations in gardening.

It’s a new world. Many things have changed. But some of the deepest and most trustworthy things - like music - are still alive and kicking.

Joy Vandergrift has taught people to play piano for more than 20 years. For her, it was always very personal.

She would sit with a student for hours every week, training them to hone their skills and enjoy the music.

Over the years, El Reno Public Schools and Redlands Community College have implemented and expanded numerous partnership activities in an effort to serve the students of both institutions.

Recently, this partnership was recognized with the 2020 Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award.

“It is a privilege to work with Superintendent (Craig) McVay and his innovative faculty and staff to provide exciting learning opportunities and experiences for all of our students,” said Redlands President Jack Bryant.

El Reno’s vice mayor was arrested late Sunday on a complaint of driving under the influence.

Police said J.T. Chronister, 40, was stopped while driving a golf cart at about 11:50 p.m. Reports said the golf cart had no headlights or tail lights and Chronister allegedly ignored a stop sign.

He was stopped at Wade and Bickford.

Officers said they spoke with Chronister and allegedly detected an odor of alcohol on him. The report said Chronister admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages prior to the traffic stop.