Laura Austin Thomas is the district attorney for Payne and Logan counties. In that position, she is responsible for prosecuting crimes. One might hope she has a basic understanding of the law, but her recent attempt to smear two members of the Pardon and Parole Board suggests otherwise.
A federal district court shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline and ordered it drained of oil.
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 quote requires no citation for those in my age bracket. These are, in fact, the only words from any inaugural speech over my lifetime that I can recall. Yet when I think about them, I shake my head in wonderment. They are totally out of touch with the 21st century American mind.
The very thought of one unelected judge with a stroke of a pen nullifying law is unconscionable to most Americans but this has become common against the Donald Trump administration blocking the executive function of the government at least 37 times. Before him it was 20 times against Barack Obama. When this happens it is called an injunction, most are delayed for a time and overturned by a higher court. Consequently, Trump has had to ask for 20 emergency stays from the Supreme Court while these were resolved. No president has had to deal with such unconstitutional judicial overreach.
CHEYENNE – Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas released the following statement after the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) is fully operational.
The MSLP will support small and mid-sized businesses, and their employees, that were in good financial standing before the public health crisis by ensuring credit flows to businesses in need. Keeping these Main Street businesses solvent will help ensure a strong and widespread economic recovery as communities across the country work to reopen.
Don Wesley Schmidt, 68, of El Reno passed away at his home Sunday, July 5, 2020, from a long hard-fought battle with cancer.
Don was married to his lovely wife, Marilyn (Janning) Schmidt for over 45 years. They made their home in El Reno and have resided there from the early ‘70s until now.
Don was born in Chickasha on March 15, 1952, to parents, Conrad and Irene Schmidt. He grew up in the Tabler community and attended Friend School in Chickasha from kindergarten through eighth grade and graduated from Amber Pocasset High School in 1970.
Richard Brian McCartney, 63, passed away July 7, 2020, at his home in Oklahoma City. Richard was born in El Reno on Oct. 5, 1956, and was a 1974 graduate of El Reno High School. He spent his career in the grocery industry working in Arizona, California, Alaska and Oklahoma.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, William J. and Mildred McCartney.
MUNICIPAL COURT
Tanisha Ann Rhodes, Yukon, disobeying traffic light, $165.
David Nathanial Nichols, Newalla, disobeying stop sign, $165.
Oscar A. Mendoza Martinez, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.
Christian Michael Walker, El Reno, disobeying stop sign, $165.
Carlos Alfredo Martinez, El Reno, speeding, $245.
Jacquelyn Shara Komers, Kingfisher, speeding, $165.
Ted Michael Garcia, El Reno, speeding, $245.
Francisca N. Juarez, Amarillo, speeding, $185.
Funeral services for longtime El Reno businessman George Ghata will be 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at St. Elijah Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City. Burial is set for Rose-Hill Burial Park in Oklahoma City.
Ghata, of Oklahoma City, died July 8.
Thousands of area residents gathered along U.S. 81 and adjoining side roads over the weekend to set off fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July.
Lucky Star Casino at Concho put on a 30-minute show Saturday night with colorful bursts to honor the nation’s independence.
