September 2020

Between a global pandemic, economic crisis and multiple natural disasters, there are few aspects of 2020 that any of us could have predicted, and many Oklahomans feel uncertain about the future.

One thing we can do to build a stable and prosperous Oklahoma is for all Oklahomans to complete the 2020 U.S. Census.

It is critical that all Oklahomans are counted in the 2020 U.S. Census because important funding decisions are made based on census participation.

CALUMET - Two teams trending in the right direction before the start of the district round of the fall playoffs collided last week as Calumet High School’s baseball team defeated Union City 6-3 in the Canadian County Bedlam Series.

Calumet, the winner of four of its last six games, improved to 11-9 on the season. The Chieftains were coming off a runner-up finish in the recent Hammon tournament.

Ripping off 36 hits within a 24-hour period, Calumet High School’s softball team closed out the regular season last week with three straight wins to snap the Chieftains six-game losing streak.

Calumet improved to 13-11 on the season with a doubleheader sweep of Verden by scores of 12-11 and 10-3. A day later the Chieftains downed Okeene 10-2.

The barrage of hits was led by Abby Nitzel with two doubles and six hits total. Sisters McKinley and Presley Stilley had five hits each, with McKinley getting a double and Presley a triple.

Services for Pearline Anderson will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 in the Benson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Willie Brown officiating. Burial will be in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Pearline was born Oct. 1, 1938, in Mississippi and died Sept. 21, 2020, at her home in El Reno.

She was a chef working at the Park Suite Hotel and J & K Restaurant and was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

Rosary for Joe “Nick” Ramirez and his wife, Emily, was held Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Benson Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, Sept. 25 at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Lance Warren and Deacon Lloyd Menz officiating.

Burial followed in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home. 

Nick died Sept. 21, 2020, at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born Dec. 6, 1935, in El Reno, one of eight children of Jose Ramirez and Feliciana Ramirez.

Etta Dale Junior High has another case of COVID-19, this time after a coach reportedly tested positive, possibly impacting as many as 90 students and two staff members.

“It does seem like Etta Dale is the center but there is no reason for that. There is no evidence of a spread, it's just two cases that hit them hard and by the nature of what those two cases are," said Pat Liticker, who serves as El Reno Public Schools Director of Instructional Leadership.

“Just like the high school, there is no evidence of a spread, it's just hit and miss.”

Editor’s Note: This free story is courtesy of the El Reno Tribune and the City of El Reno.

The success of El Reno’s own Smoke on the Water has caught the eye of the Southern Drag Boat Association in the past and now one of the nation’s premiere racing leagues is coming to town.

The SDBA has added Lake El Reno to its 2020 race schedule as the Hunter Showdown is set to take place Saturday and Sunday.

The event is named after the late Bruce Hunter, an El Reno resident who served on the SDBA board before his death.

El Reno police arrested Dustin Ray Edsall last week after a reported auto burglary led to him.

Assistant Police Chief Kirk Dickerson said Edsall, 41, was arrested Wednesday evening on complaints of burglary and outstanding arrest warrants.

Additional charges may be sought, Dickerson said.

Several dozen people gathered last week to learn about Oklahoma’s Tax Credit Scholarships program.

Peter De Keretry, development director for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, told the crowd gathered in the gymnasium at Sacred Heart School that three Catholic schools in Oklahoma have closed for good this year.

Starting Friday night there will be 32 schools in Class 5A, including El Reno High School’s football team, all with the same record and goal in mind – getting to the playoffs.

Win-loss records to this point are tossed out the window as the start of district play begins and each squad is 0-0.

“It doesn't matter if you are 3-0 or 1-2 like we are, at the end of the day it’s a new season. We now have new chances and new opportunities and everything from here on counts,” said El Reno head coach Chuck Atchison.