April 2021

The state Board of Education came to an unexpected resolution in a four-year-old charter school funding lawsuit Thursday in a move the state superintendent and their attorney say sidesteps the Legislature and violates the state constitution. 

The resolution, approved by a 4-to-3 vote, allows charter schools to tap into several state and local revenue streams previously off limits to charters, including general fund, building fund and county levies. Currently charter schools only receive state-appropriated funds. 

Supporters of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe expected the worst when he took the stage at Saturday’s Oklahoma GOP convention after his popularity had been tested by refusing to vote to challenge the Electoral College decision in January.

Not a mask was in sight as Inhofe laid out his reasons for voting to certify the election of Democratic President Joe Biden before hundreds of the party’s faithful gathered in Oklahoma City’s shiny new convention center.

El Reno High School February/March Students of the Month, from left, freshmen Ana Montes and Colin Tinsley (not pictured); sophomores Kyston Haines and Madison Patswald; juniors Gavin Crawford and Kylee Chandler (not pictured); seniors Ella McReynolds and Erick Loera Cavario (not pictured).

Eight Okarche students received state medals in seven events during the recent OSSAA State Speech Tournament.

This year’s tournament was held virtually with students submitting videos of their qualifying performances.

Okarche had a strong showing from members of its junior class. McKenzie Stewart placed third in original oratory and fifth in humorous duet with her partner, Kaylea Steelman. Emily Neuenschwander took seventh in humorous interp, and the team of Kenzie Beard and Marley Hill were sixth in dramatic duet.

Canadian County 4-H’ers were among the more than 10,000 4-H and FFA members statewide competing at the recent 2021 Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City.

Among those receiving top honors were Bryson Cooper, Maple 4-H, second place, Class 10 Commercial Breeding Heifers; and Ella Danielson, Banner 4-H, second place, Class 3 Commercial Heifers, Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Amanda Sue Papke, Hinton, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Teresa Marie Rose, Edmond, expired tag, $165.

Marissa Lynn Buckman, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Caitlin Marie Rottler, El Reno, expired tag, $130.

Bryan Arthur Soderstrom, El Reno, failure to stop at stop sign, $165.

Richard Allen Mann, Oklahoma City, driving under suspension and failure to appear warrant, $690.

Nichole Marie LaRose, Sulphur, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Austin Wyatt Ortiz, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Graveside services for Clarence R. Sanders of El Reno will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2021, in the El Reno Cemetery with Minister Herbert L. Sanders III officiating. Services are under the direction of The Funeral Home LLC, Watonga.

Clarence passed away April 5, 2021. He was born June 29, 1947, in El Reno. He worked for the Rock Island Railroad for 13 years, the local Housing and Urban Development Office and the city of El Reno.

Clarence was a community activist, a 3rd Degree Mason and member of the local Masonic Sunrise Lodge No.8.

Funeral services for John Russell Bleigh will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at First Christian Church with burial to follow in the El Reno Cemetery. Come-and-go viewing will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Monday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

John passed away peacefully at his home in El Reno the morning of April 14, 2021. Born in Calumet on July 9, 1929, to R.H. Bleigh and Jennie Nievar Bleigh, John graduated from El Reno High School in 1948, then served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany.

Funeral Mass for Rosemary Fox Hess was held Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial following in the El Reno Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home. 

Rosemary was born in El Reno to John W. Fox and Gertrude Shupbach Fox on April 24, 1919. She attended Sacred Heart School, Hockaday School – Dallas, and graduated in the 1937 Class of El Reno High School. She then graduated from Ward Belmont J.C., Nashville, Tenn., and then from the University of Oklahoma, where she was a Kappa Alpha Theta.

Cathy Lynne Brown-Diehl was born Feb. 20, 1960, in Oregon. She died April 12, 2021, at her home in El Reno.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist church.

Cathy is survived by her children, Steven Brown of Yukon and Misti Thompson of El Reno; brother, Kenny Brown of El Reno; sisters, Brenda Mantooth of Yukon and Shirley Mantooth of Vian; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.