March 2022

Gemini Coatings, a 100 percent employee-owned wood coatings manufacturing company based in El Reno, has entered into an agreement to acquire Lenmar® Wood Finishes & Coatings, a brand of fine wood finishes, from Benjamin Moore, North America’s leading paint, color and coatings company.

“Lenmar has been a trusted brand in the wood coatings market for more than 65 years and has grown its loyal customer base since it was acquired by Benjamin Moore in 2008,” said Chris Hicks, president and CEO of Gemini Coatings.

A Canadian County jury found a 23-year-old man accused of killing one man and injuring another not guilty.

Christopher Gene Nelson of El Reno faced two felony counts – first-degree manslaughter and assault and battery with a deadly weapon – in connection with a July 18, 2020, altercation between him and two other El Reno men, Miguel Jones and Lonnie Monaco.

Oklahomans who want to change party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, Canadian County Election Board Secretary Wanda Armold said.

Voters may change their party affiliation online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or by completing a new voter registration application.

Armold reminds voters that no party changes are allowed between April 1 and Aug. 31 during an even-numbered year.

El Reno High School’s run to the title game of the 2022 Class 5A Girls Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championships included two wins over ranked teams.

The Indians defeated Grove, the third seed from the East, 50-26 in the quarterfinals after the two teams were tied 9-all in the first period.

El Reno slowly built the lead back up behind eight first-half steals before back-to-back baskets from Ashlyn Evans-Thompson to push the margin into double digits at 23-12.

America is no longer buying energy or vodka from Russia. Russians can no longer buy a McDonald’s hamburger.

They can’t pay for their gasoline with a Visa, Mastercard or even an American Express card. One thousand Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants have ceased operations in Russia.

How tough can life become?

For a better picture of a tough life, watch some of the news clips played daily on most television stations. See what the Russians are doing each day to Ukraine.

Whenever and wherever too much government power produces bad policy and terrible results, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) can be counted upon to pop up with the same proposed solution: More government power and more bad policy. Surely that will fix it.

Current case in point: Oil prices.

“Putin’s war is causing gas prices to rise,” she tweeted on March 8, “but this is no excuse for large oil companies to pad their bottom line with war-fueled profits. Senate Democrats are watching closely -- and already working on a windfall profits tax.”

A memorial service for Donna Sue Dresser Donham will be held Friday, March 18 at 1 p.m. at the El Reno Cemetery.

Sue died Jan. 27, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born in El Reno on July 26, 1936.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Donham; her son, Michael Rod Donham; and her daughters, Susan Kim Donham Todd and Kelley Leigh Donham Hoover.

She is survived by her son, Jon Kyle Donham; sisters, Daisy Connaghan (Don) and Kay Zucker (Al); brother, David Dresser (Kim); nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Heather Ann Warner of Tulsa passed away March 10, 2022. She was born Nov. 1, 1969, in Oklahoma City.

Heather graduated from Union High School in Tulsa and worked for Goodwill for 19 years.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Warner; paternal grandmother, Verna Satterwhite; and maternal great-aunt, Carol Walliser.

Funeral services for Dorothy Faye Garrett of Cogar were held Saturday at Canaan Baptist Church, with burial following at the Springcreek Cemetery west of Minco. Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Janice Ann Osage, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Steven Ray Cavenee, Oklahoma City, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Mary Alice Cristelli, Yukon, speeding, $165.

Servando Ornelas, Perryton, Texas, disobeying traffic device and driving without valid driver’s license, $417.

Steven Cody Columbus, Binger, obstructing an officer, $845.

Dyar Trace Camarillo, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Stacey Paulette Kanost, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.