January 2022

While taking just five free-throw attempts is never a good sign, Okarche High School’s boys basketball team didn’t need to score single points in its game with Crescent.

That’s because the Warriors were knocking down shots away from the charity stripe in a 62-40 victory over the Tigers.

Okarche, ranked 17th in Class A, improved to 16-6 on the season after hitting 51.7 percent (15-of-29) of its two-point attempts.

The Warriors were 10-of-27 from behind the 3-point arc for 37 percent and added two free throws.

This week, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order allowing state employees to serve as substitute teachers without forgoing state pay for those days.

The plan, which could significantly augment the pool of available substitute teachers in Oklahoma, is intended to help schools remain open for in-person learning at a time when many schools are closed because of COVID surge among staff.

From Feb. 3 through March 31, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is honoring all health-care workers and emergency responders with free general Zoo admission in recognition of Health-Care Workers and Emergency Responders Appreciation Month.

It is the incredible dedication of these caregivers working tirelessly to keep us healthy and safe during this public health crisis, and to give back to them, the Zoo is offering these front-line heroes free general admission in February and March.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Anthony James Limpy, El Reno, possession of drug paraphernalia, $300.

Armida Ochoa Nunez, Oklahoma City, failure to stop at red signal, $165.

Waylon Gage Heger, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Gabrielle Christian Daugherty, Yukon, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Braden Ross Lancaster, El Reno, speeding, $165.

John M. Roebuck Jr., Clayton, expired tag, $165.

Naomi Ann Davidson, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Jacob Lee Ollison, Blanchard, speeding, $165.

Recent winter weather forced the film crew from Boiling Point Media out of Oklahoma City to return to El Reno for a third straight weekend to shoot scenes for the upcoming Lionsgate film, The Adventures of Jurassic Pets: The Lost Secrets.

An effort is under way to launch a new Oklahoma music trail to capitalize on the state’s many famous musicians such as Yukon’s Garth Brooks, along with other top artists.

“We have this amazing musical heritage in Oklahoma,” said Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, the state’s tourism secretary.

“Tennessee has the premier music trail in America today because they invest money in it, and it’s first class.”

This empty semi-truck, used for hauling cattle, slid off the eastbound lane of Interstate 40 just after crossing the bridge over U.S. 81 on Jan. 15 during El Reno’s first taste of winter weather for 2022.

Forecasters are calling for subfreezing temperatures late Tuesday night into Wednesday with a chance of winter mixture.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers last week finalized bills that will be considered in the upcoming legislative session.

Two bills, one dealing with education and the other with marijuana, are expected to draw attention in the session that begins Feb. 7 at noon.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat introduced Senate Bill 1647, also known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act.

Although the landscape may be bleak in the winter, now is the time for gardeners – those with established green thumbs and those who are just starting out – to get started on their gardening plans for the upcoming growing season.

Oklahoma State University Extension offers a variety of gardening information online, but there’s one publication that is especially helpful to gardeners - especially novice gardeners.

Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) received an A+ rating on the Susan B. Anthony List National Pro-Life Scorecard, their highest rating, for his pro-life record during the 117th Congress.

“I am honored to receive an A+ rating from the Susan B. Anthony List for my support for pro-life policies during the 117th Congress,” said Congressman Lucas.