September 2021

Nancy Salsman and Amy Stout presented Calumet Mayor Bruce Wallace and Union City Mayor Bob McGregor with plaques and signs designating their communities as a Purple Heart Town.  

The mother-and-daughter team said they were “humbled” to become Purple Heart Ambassadors for the Military Order of the Purple Heart of Oklahoma.

“We received this appointment from Military of the Order Commander Larry Van Schuyver. This allows us to travel Oklahoma and make the Purple Heart City presentations to those wanting to honor their veterans.”

As part of the start-of-school process in Edmond Public Schools, some middle-school students were asked to provide their preferred pronouns with options including “they/them.”

Theresa Epperly, a parent of four children in the Edmond district, said her seventh-grade daughter was among them.

“I see asking about a nickname,” Epperly said, “but this is ridiculous.”

Nearly 50,000 babies are born in Oklahoma each year, and the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan (OCSP) today launched a campaign to help moms, dads and grandparents across the state prepare for their new baby’s arrival with interactive content and a special $50 bonus match for OCSP college savings accounts opened for babies born in 2021.

“Welcoming a new baby is an exciting time in a family’s life,” said Oklahoma State Treasurer Randy McDaniel.

On July 26, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order under which the U.S. government’s Medicare Part D program would have negotiated lower prescription drug prices based on an “International Price Index.”

Implementation of the order was delayed pending counter-proposals from Big Pharma, but the Democratic response was swift.

“Instead of meaningfully lowering drug prices, President Trump’s executive orders would hand billions of dollars to Big Pharma,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) complained, without explaining why or how.

County residents showed off their talents during the Canadian County Free Fair held Aug. 23-28 at the new Expo and Event Center.

Open class exhibits included baked goods, home canning, crafts, quilts, needlework, sewn items, photography, art, flowers, crops, horticulture, Oklahoma Home and Community exhibits and 4-H exhibits.

Individuals of all age groups participated for cash prizes and ribbons. Areas specifically for young children through senior citizens were available, and there were some special contests available to enter as well.

Maple August Citizenship Award winners, front row from left, Ella Smith, kindergarten; Cash Swigart, pre-kindergarten; Raina Crawford, third grade; Sophie Tredway, second grade; and Brinlee Bland, first grade; back row, Halle Hunt, fourth grade; Kash Austin, seventh grade; Dustin Stokes, eighth grade; Luke Siler, sixth grade; and Tannah Ferguson , fifth grade.

Donna Mae Becker Swartz was born Sept. 14, 1935, to Ralph and Ruth Becker, their only child. She passed away May 20, 2021.

Donna married Henry A. Swartz in 1955. They had four children, Reed, Douglas and Ralph and Ruth Ann, who were twins. They lived and worked in St. Charles and Chicago, Ill., before moving to Oklahoma City, Bethany and El Reno.

She was employed at Sears, Bausch and Lomb and Miracle Ear.

Donna cherished their grandchildren, Donna Marie, the daughter of Douglas, and Allen, Eric, Matthew and Daniel, sons of Ralph.

Memorial services for Robert “Bobby” Wayne Dalton will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home. 

Bobby passed away Sept. 14, 2021, in Yukon. He was born Aug. 27, 1954, in Anthony, Kan. Bobby had many adventures over the years, but his work with horses and being in the kitchen cooking for people were some of his most talked-about stories.

What always remained a constant was his love for his family and friends. 

Funeral services for Joyzelle Dianna “Joy” Seely will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at Wilson Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at St. John’s Cemetery in Dime Box, Texas.

Joy, born in Dime Box, Texas, on Dec. 11, 1938, to parents, Henry and Ella Marburger, passed away Sept. 14, 2021.

Joy enjoyed spending her time with family and was always on the move, especially with her grandkids and great-grandkids.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Lindsay Anna Maidt, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Anthony T. Gamboa, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Margaret R. Worley, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Valantay Perkins, El Reno, petit larceny and failure to appear warrant, $834.

Leota Colleen BigMedicine, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Joshua Waterbird BigMedicine, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Ryan Gilbert, El Reno, dog at large, $145.