May 2022

El Reno’s VFW Post 382 will coordinate Memorial Day ceremonies this year. Last year, the events were overseen by American Legion Post 34. The service organizations alternate each year. Nancy Salsman of the VFW said activity will begin on Saturday, May 28.

Salsman said flags will be put out at the cemetery that morning starting at 8. Volunteers are needed to help with this.

Memorial Day services at the El Reno Cemetery will begin at 11 a.m. Monday.

Etta Dale Junior High’s Amanda Little led her vocal music students in the production of “Into the Woods” that was performed at the Lincoln Learning Center the week before school ended.

Little said the production included a number of students with many songs and stories acted out with comedy and wit.

“Our community should be very proud of these talented singers banding together for such a terrific performance,” Little said.

A female detention officer faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of having sex with a male inmate at the Canadian County Jail.

Yukon’s Raven Beryle Benson, 36, was charged May 4 in Canadian County District Court with second-degree rape – a felony crime punishable by one to 15 years in state prison.

She also was charged with bringing contraband into the jail. That crime carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a maximum $500 fine.

WEATHERFORD – One last outing as teammates proved to be a winning combination for three El Reno High School graduates in last week’s Western Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Star Games.

Brayden Fulton, Dacus Cooper and Vincent Walker each played a key role in helping the North squad secure a 5-4 win over the South in the Large School Game.

“It was really fun to get out here and have fun with those guys one more time,” said Fulton.

WEATHERFORD – Tyler Tignor thought that last week’s Western Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game would be his last coaching stint with his former standout player – Calumet graduate Jaxon Olive.

Tignor, who will be the new athletic director at Hammon come fall, coached the North squad for a fifth time in the WOBCA Small School Game. It ended on a sour note with a 5-1 loss to the South squad.

However, Tignor and Olive will get another shot to go out together as winners.

Gerald W. Van Horn passed away May 20, 2022, in El Reno surrounded by his family.

Gerald was born July 22, 1933, in Green Bay, Wis., to Clifford and Pearl Van Horn.

He graduated from Green Bay West High in 1952. He attended Northwestern University on a football scholarship.

Gerald accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and felt the calling to the ministry. He graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Gerald faithfully served as an ordained minister for over 60 years in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

Linda Gale Gray (Grandma) of Fort Cobb was born Feb. 2, 1948, and passed away May 17, 2022, at the age of 74.

Linda graduated from El Reno High School in 1966 and then married the love of her life, Herschel Gray. They had been married for 55 years.

Linda worked for over 25 years at Park View Hospital where she made a lot of lifetime friends. Later in life she loved to color in coloring books and colored many masterpieces.

Canadian County commissioners will have to go back to the drawing board to get what’s been described as a badly needed roof repair on the historic old jail completed, after no bids were submitted for the project.

The item was on the commissioners agenda last week to consider and possibly award a contract for the work. However, when it came time to open submitted bids, there were none.

The “10th Annual Mustache Bash” bull-riding event and mustache contest will be held this weekend at the Denny-Crump Rodeo Arena.

Marie Hirst said the two-day event will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, with the Sunday start time set for 2 p.m. The event will feature junior as well as professional bull riders.

A concert is planned Saturday night featuring the Tyler Wilheim Band.

OKLAHOMA CITY – With the centennial of Route 66 fast approaching, communities and businesses may soon apply for state funding to preserve and further develop Route 66.

House Bill 4457, authored by Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, and co-authored by Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, creates the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, which will consider and approve projects to maximize the long-term economic potential of Route 66 in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is home to the longest drivable stretch of the “Mother Road” with more than 400 miles.