April 2023

The president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association has a message for El Reno and the rest of the state as the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road approaches.

El Reno firefighter Thomas Vogt shoots a blast of water on a shed in the southwest part of the city on Friday as crews worked to keep the fire from spreading to surrounding houses due to high winds.

It was a night of celebration and remembrance for Cardinal Point, Canadian County’s Family Justice Center, as a sold-out crowd traveled to the Expo and Event Center March 24 for the organization’s Community Night Gala.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) is seeking input from private and public agencies, organizations, citizens and consumers to monitor and enhance development of a comprehensive, statewide child abuse prevention plan.

William Thomas Manning, known by most as “Bill,” from El Reno, Okla., was 94 years old when he passed away peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

OKLAHOMA CITY - In February, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced the launch of its new Supporting Industrial Transformation and Economic Success (SITES) Program.

Betty Jo Rothrock Lockler was born in Mexia, Texas, on Sept. 20, 1947, to Joseph and Bessie Rothrock. She was welcomed by two siblings, James Homer and Laura. Later Betty Jo got to welcome Sandy, Joe and Charles to round out her siblings.  Betty passed away peacefully in her home on April 1, 2023.

Lucy Melvina Snyder died March 30, 2023, at Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon. She was born Sept. 6, 1945, in Elk City. A member of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes, she was a dressmaker specializing in bead work and traditional tribal clothing.

MARRIAGE LICENSES Roy R. Bartnick III, 32; Rachel Hope Morrison, 28. Timothy Christian Smith, 26; Chelsea Danielle Thomas, 27. Dillon W. Kitson, 31; Karina Gisell Espinoza, 27. Matthew James Von Tress, 28; Camber Lynn Chism, 25. Billy John Wimberly Jr., 60; Roberta Kay Lynn, 56.

While playing 80 minutes, the outcome of El Reno High School’s girls soccer team’s match with rival Piedmont was settled in a little over eight minutes.