February 2022

Two Tulsa public high schools have started a pilot program called Early College High School.

The plan allows 10th-grade students who qualify to take college courses. If they stick with the program, by the time they graduate they will have earned not only a high school diploma from Tulsa McClain or Tulsa Memorial, but will also have garnered an associate degree from Tulsa Community College.

All for free.

Sounds cutting edge.

Apparently, it’s not.

At Redlands Community College, a varsity team is training for big competitions in one of the most popular and competitive sports today.

If you think football or soccer is the most-watched sporting event globally, think again. eSports have surpassed both as the most popular sporting event to watch, and Redlands Community College is joining the competition with its new eSports program, which launched in spring 2021 with the generous support of the Redlands Community College Foundation.

Homelessness impacts families across the Unites States – and communities in Canadian County are not immune.

That’s the message being shared by Haley Humphrey, who chairs the Canadian County Homeless Task Force committee.

“Homelessness is in everybody’s backyard,” Humphrey said. “Even if you’re not seeing it, it’s there.

“It’s a testament to our non-profits, who have seen such a huge increase (in need), especially with the pandemic, which has exposed homelessness like no other," she said.

With the help of Stasha Turner, right, Ethel Payne holds up her birthday cake during a celebration at St. Katharine’s Retirement Center.

Payne turned 102 years old.

Individuals and entities associated with two groups substantially intertwined in Oklahoma — tribal governments and casinos — represented a significant share of donations to the Democratic gubernatorial campaign of Joy Hofmeister in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to a report filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

El Reno High School cheerleaders Halen Neaves, left, and Molly Carson try to hold back the tears after the two were among the four EHS senior team members recognized during a ceremony.

El Reno honored all its senior basketball players and cheerleaders during the two games with the Oklahoma City Storm inside Jenks Simmons Field House.

El Reno High School Students of the Quarter are Bailey Denwalt, Jackson Albrecht, Ryan Sigler, Clayton Cannon, Carlie Golden, Kaysen Atkinson, Zac Johnson and Taylin Black (second photo).

Okarche High School’s January Lion and Lioness, first photo, are Landon Weeres and Emily Neuenschwander.

Second photo, Okarche’s January Students of the Month are Avery Schieber and Abigail McIlvain.

For the first time in 15 years, the American Heart Association (AHA) has updated its new dietary guidelines. What makes these changes so important?

The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease. The best way to take care of your heart is to follow a heart-healthy diet, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Extension nutrition specialist.

Harold G. Stephens of El Reno went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday, February 28 at New Hope Baptist Church in El Reno with Rev. Dick Kurtz and Tommy Lane officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at the Highland Cemetery in Lawton under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; his cousin with whom he was raised, George Kizziar; and his aunt, Ethel Jones.