January 2023

El Reno High School’s wrestling team passed its biggest classification test of the season last week, defeating fourth-ranked Guthrie Bluejays 51-27.

The Indians, who hold the top spot in the same Class 5A poll, earned their first win of the year against a team on the same classification and fourth against a top 15 squad in five tries.

Guthrie led only once with a 5-0 win over EHS’ Terry Guzman (106) before El Reno got a forfeit win at 113 pounds from Foxx Kurtz.

Kylar Kurtz (120) followed with a 1:06 fall over Allyn Orndoff.

For the fifth time in six years, Calumet High School’s boys basketball team returned from the Alex Longhorn Classic with the championship trophy after defeating Class A’s 15th-ranked Cyril 58-48.

Calumet, ranked seventh in Class B, improved to 14-1 on the year with its 12th straight win. The Chieftains defeated Riverside Indian School’s junior varsity (90-28) and Mountain View-Gotebo (74-34) to reach the finals.

Over the three-game set, Calumet scored 222 points, 74 per game, while allowing 110 total or 36.6 per outing.

The Three Rivers Conference Championship will remain in the hands of the Okarche High School’s girls basketball team for a fourth straight year following a 61-54 win over Oklahoma Bible Academy.

Okarche, on a four-game win streak, beat Crescent (67-29) and Cashion (54-29) to reach the title game. The Class A’s ninth-ranked Warriors are 11-4 on the season.

For the three games, Okarche had 182 points on offense, 60.6 per game, and allowed 112 points or 37 per outing.

El Reno police arrested a 22-year-old Kansas man on several complaints including firing a gun and assault with a dangerous weapon on Jan. 1, reports said.

Assistant Police Chief Maj. Kirk Dickerson said police were called to the area of Choctaw and Elm just before 2 p.m. after receiving reports that a man in a vehicle was firing a gun.

Police said callers reported the man was firing from a maroon four-door sedan and left the scene headed north on Rock Island.

As 2022 entered its final quarter, changes continued. More honors were bestowed on those who served the community and plans were announced to honor more, especially those who “gave all.” New leaders were chosen and events continued to keep area people moving about.

September

Having served as both an educator and coach for more than five decades at El Reno Public Schools, very few things could catch Ken Posey off guard.

Two new Canadian County elected leaders ushered in 2023 with new four-year terms.

An official swearing-in ceremony for county elected officials was held Jan. 3 inside Courtroom 1 at the Canadian County Judicial Building.

District Judge Paul Hesse administered the oath of office to new District 1 Commissioner Tom Manske of Yukon and District 3 Commissioner Tracey Rider of El Reno.

After helping lead a Canadian County nonprofit ministry through a period of strong growth, Joanne Riley believes she’s right where she belongs.

Having stepped down in late November after 5 1/2 years with Compassionate Hands, Riley is the new executive director at the Child Abuse Response Team House in El Reno.

“Helping children through trauma has been very, very close to my heart,” Riley said.

“I knew that child advocacy centers existed, but I never got to watch it work until I came here. I am just amazed.”

Graveside services for Flora Rae Ables Lippoldt, 85, of Cleburne, Texas, formerly of El Reno, will be conducted at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in the El Reno Cemetery.

Flora passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cleburne, Texas.

She was born June 15, 1937, in Oklahoma City to Flora Belle (Hamilton) and Cecil Crawford.

Flora worked as a veterinarian assistant for 13 years and then owned and operated Able’s BBQ Restaurant. After moving to Texas, she worked as a medical assistant until retiring.

Funeral services for Rudolf “Rudy” Joseph Pata of El Reno will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the El Reno Cemetery.

Come-and-go viewing will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday, Jan. 8 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Rudy passed away Jan. 1, 2023. He was born Dec. 10, 1932, to Jaromir Joseph Pata and Golda Odessa (Lynch) Pata in Seminole. He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17.

Raymond Harry Tasso of El Reno died Dec. 26, 2022, at SSM St. Anthony Healthplex in El Reno.

He was born Dec. 4, 1947, in Clinton.

Raymond was an Army veteran serving in the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Purple Heart.

He was a stone mason and member of the Native American Church.

Raymond is survived by his son, Kyle Tasso of Boley; daughters, Sonya Derenz of El Reno and Michelle Gouge of Sioux City, Iowa; brother, Elliott Tasso Jr. of El Reno; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.