February 2023

The El Reno Wranglers recently gathered for their February meeting, with Jimmy Johnston calling the meeting to order. Trisha Duncan led in the flag salute, while Gary Sorrells offered prayer.

Johnston presented the club with the IPRA 2022 Rodeo of the Year Award.

Members discussed riding in the Stockyards St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 11 and the Chickasha parade June 23 and 24.

There was also discussion regarding working on another Mustache Bash.

Next Wranglers meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 2 at the 4-H building.

Steven Joseph Peacher was born March 17, 1952, in Waynoka, Okla., to Dr. K.L. and Jo Ann (Smalley) Peacher.

He passed away from this life to his heavenly home on Feb. 11, 2023.

Steve attended Rose Witcher Elementary, graduated from El Reno High School and attended El Reno Junior College.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1974, and served his country for six years. He received his bachelor of science degree in 1976 from Culver Stockton College in Canton, Mo.

Okarche High School’s January Lion and Lioness honorees are senior Tyson Endres and junior Jace Rother.

Okarche January Students of the Month are Jade Jackson and Kade Henrichs.

On Feb. 10, 2023, Donnie Max McGee of El Reno, Okla., died at the age of 55. Max was born to Tony and Linda McGee in 1967. He graduated from El Reno High School in 1985. He joined the USMC after graduation. After discharge, his career included jobs in the oil field, construction and handyman. 

Max was an avid outdoorsman and gardener. If you couldn’t find him anywhere, he was usually hunting, fishing or gardening. If he had tools and supplies, he could repair or make anything. He was blessed with many talents.

Seven members of the Okarche High School Speech Team recently competed in the Weatherford Invitational Tournament, with every Okarche participant placing in the contest.

Maddie Vogt and Anna Shirey took third in public-forum debate. Riley Black placed first in poetry and teamed with Reagan Marler to take first in humorous duet.

Kylie Bailey earned first place in monologue.

Sara Leck was second in humorous interp and a finalist in poetry. Rylie Bomhoff took first in humorous interp and second in dramatic interp, and was a finalist in monologue.

Richard Harold Whittle passed away Feb. 11, 2023, in El Reno. He was born to Richard and Eva Whittle on July 24, 1930, in Naomi, Ky.

He retired from the Rock Island Railroad.

He loved the outdoors, his place at the river and hunting and fishing.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters and two brothers; and his daughter, Annette.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, June Whittle; son, Rick and wife, Tina of Surprise, Ariz.; son, Wes and wife, Audrey of El Reno; seven grandkids, 11 great-grandkids and two great-great-grandkids.

LAWSUITS

Mariner Finance vs. Ellen J. Beverly for $4,802.92 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Micah McCurtain for $6,388.72 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Discover Bank vs. Sean Clement for $6,117.87 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Lisa Riggs for $1,282.73 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Deja Donovan for $2,342.93 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

El Reno High School junior Pauline Black-Harmon mugs for the camera with head coach Jennifer Douglas as the two sort balloons marking Black-Harmon reaching 500 career rebounds during a recent game.

The post player has 504 career rebounds and is chasing LeeAnn Bezner’s school record of 656 caroms.

MUSTANG – The first tickets to the 2023 Oklahoma State High School Wrestling Championships were punched here last week for two El Reno High School grapplers.

Competing in the Girls West Regional, Kaylee Davis and Hannah Koen placed fifth or better in their weight classes to earn state spots. The pair combined for 43 of El Reno’s 54 points.

“I could not be prouder of those girls. From the moment their feet hit the ground on campus they started training and were 100 percent bought in. They embraced the process and trusted us coaches and worked their tails off every day.

It took six periods before the season series between El Reno High School’s boys basketball team and rival Bishop McGuinness ended in a non-amicable split on Valentine's Day.

The Irish scored the final three points to pull out a 74-72 double overtime victory and handed El Reno its second straight loss.

The Indians dropped a 59-33 road game to Class 4A’s top-ranked Kingfisher the night before.

El Reno was set to close out the regular season against the Oklahoma City Storm, a home-schooled program, which has beaten the Indians the past four seasons.