November 2021

Shirleen Kay (Wittkopp) Maass, 76, of Salina, Kan., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 20, 2021.

Shirleen was born to Gilbert and Sarahnee Ailene (Bishop) Wittkopp on July 21, 1945, in El Reno. Shirleen was baptized April 2, 1947, at her grandparents home in El Reno by Rev. A.C. Dubberstein. She was confirmed on March 22, 1959, at Trinity Lutheran Church in El Reno by Rev. Carl F. Schmidt. Her Confirmation verse was 2 Cor. 5:15 and song was “Thine Forever.”

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michelle Lee McIntyre of El Reno, on Nov. 22, 2021.

She was 50 years old.

Shelly was born in Kansas City, Mo., where she graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School. After having three children of her own, she married Mark McIntyre who made her family complete. After marriage she moved to El Reno with Mark where they raised their family together.

LAWSUITS

Oklahoma Educators Credit Union vs. Sheryl Lyn Rieck for $5,710.55 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Darlene I. Vogelbacher for $1,923.17 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Amanda Briscoe for $1,076.16 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Jerry Jackson for $4,040.83 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Rafe Goucher is living a football player’s American dream.

A dream with humble roots as a ball boy for El Reno High School’s football team. One which later traveled through an All-State career for the same Indians program and is now playing out in Kansas at Emporia State University.

“I would say it’s been as close to a dream as you can get,” said Goucher.

El Reno High School’s boys basketball team hosted Weatherford last week in a varsity, junior varsity scrimmage at Jenks Simmons Field House.

Each period lasted 10 minutes. The Indians won two of the first three periods.

Bouncing back from its first conference loss of the season, Redlands Community College women’s basketball team defeated Paris Junior College last week 74-62.

The 12-point win over the Texas-based college avenged an earlier loss to the Dragons. Redlands is now 5-3 on the season heading into the Thanksgiving holiday break.

The Cougars return to the court Monday for a home twinbill with Eastern Oklahoma State College, with the women’s game set for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff, followed by the men’s game.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part look at efforts to revitalize Sunset Drive.

What do you see when you travel down Sunset Drive?

Now, what do you see in your mind when you travel down Sunset Drive?

That's the “what could be” picture El Reno city officials, along with some history-loving architects and planners are wanting El Reno residents to help paint as they embark on a journey to bring new life to the area.

Craig McVay praised the hiring of Matt Goucher to succeed him as superintendent of El Reno Public Schools. McVay made the comments last week at the El Reno Now program.

Goucher was in the audience as McVay touted his assistant superintendent’s passion for the children of El Reno.

“Every time I looked to my right, there was Matt Goucher,” said McVay.

He said he and Goucher made a “pretty good team for nine years.”

McVay will retire at the end of this school year. Goucher was hired by the school board last week to step into the position after McVay departs.

El Reno Scouts helped collect about 1,000 pounds of food during the Nov. 13 Scouting for Food Drive.

Nikki Pruitt of The Lord’s Harvest said those wanting to contribute can still drop non-perishable food items by the ministry headquarters at 1020 Sunset Drive.

Beth Griesel coordinated the drive for the Scouts. The drive had participation from nine Boy and Girl Scouts as well as Cub Scouts.

Six adults and one sibling took part in the effort to help feed El Reno residents who need it.

El Reno will celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with Lights in Legion on Saturday. The colorful event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Legion Park on South Reno.

The event will feature a petting zoo, train rides, pony rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, storytime, and hot chocolate and treats provided by the El Reno Fire Department.