October 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY – For the second time in three seasons, El Reno High School’s softball team faced the tough task of playing the top seed in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A State Softball Championships.

While the outcome did not favor the Indians, the 12-2 loss to Piedmont was a growing experience for a young team, which started only three seniors against the Wildcats.

“Piedmont has a lot of experience on that stage. Making it to the state tournament and being able to gain experience will only help our program.

Two fourth-period defensive stands by the Blue Crush defense helped El Reno High School's football team seal a 32-27 win over Duncan in a game with playoff ramifications for both squads.

With its second straight win, El Reno improved to 2-5 on the season. More importantly, the Indians evened their District 5A-1 mark to 2-2 and moved into a tie with Southeast for the fourth playoff spot.

The advice Amanda Meyer would give to someone wanting to open their own small business would be summed up in one word: consistency.

The owner of Bronze Seal, Meyer and her husband, Richard, took the leap of faith into the “mom and pop” world of small business five years ago when they opened the store.

No action was taken by the El Reno School Board in its October meeting on an agenda item calling for the purchase of new land.

Under the items to be discussed in executive session was entry 10. F, which stated “Possible consideration and vote regarding the purchase of real property.”

“I can’t really discuss that because it was in executive session and there was no action taken,” said El Reno Superintendent Craig McVay.

“They were discussing land acquisition but again no action was taken.”

Redlands Community College has been awarded a five-year grant totaling $2.06 million by the U.S. Department of Education that will allow it to improve its capacity to increase the participation, academic success and graduation of Native American and low-income students, as well as increase the college’s capacity to offer digital learning and enhance mental health resources for students.

Thomas E. Pitts, age 74, of El Reno, passed away Oct. 13, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Thomas was born May 29, 1947, in Oklahoma City.

He was retired from the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno and the U.S. Army, where he attained many honors.

He attended Wesley United Methodist Church in El Reno. Thomas was very active in the community and a member of many organizations, including the Eagle Scouts.

Thomas loved to hunt and fish.

Memorial service for Charlotte Ellen “Pippin” Frazier will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18 in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel.

Charlotte was born June 30, 1954, in Monroe, La., to Charles Pippin and Marvell Kent Pippin Shrum and passed away Oct. 10, 2021, in Oklahoma City.

Memorial services for Christel Olivia Guevara of Minco will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Minco, under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Christel died Oct. 8, 2021, at her home. She was born Jan. 13, 1979, in Chickasha. She was raised in the Minco community and attended Minco schools. She had worked at the Union City Correctional Facility, the Minco Hog Farm and as a cafeteria cook for El Reno Public Schools. She was a member of the Minco Trail Riders when she was younger and the Alex Church of Christ.

Funeral services for Roy Calvin Koerner of Minco were held Thursday at First Baptist Church in Minco, followed by burial with military honors in the Evergreen Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Belinda Lee “Bwinnie” Smith were held Thursday in the Benson Memorial Chapel with Rev. John Hancock officiating.   

Bwinnie died Oct. 8, 2021, at Mercy Hospital in Kingfisher. She was born Jan. 30, 1967, in Chandler.

She was a homemaker.