June 2023

Spreading a little kindness is the basic theme for El Reno Carnegie Library this summer.

The official phrase is “Together We Can.” The goal is to bring the community together to help children have a safe and enjoyable summer.

As part of the Summer Reading Program, Carnegie is asking that either money or products be donated to help provide summer safety kits to neighbors in need.

Shae Frierson is coordinating the effort for Carnegie. The goal, she said, is to raise $325, as well as a number of items that can come in handy over the summer.

Throughout his career, Redlands Community College President Jack Bryant has been an advocate of the community college system where he began his post-secondary educational journey, earning an associate of arts degree in General Studies in 1978 from Connors State College.

Recently, his alumni status and efforts to ensure an accessible education for students was recognized with his induction into the Connors State College Hall of Fame.

“Connors played a pivotal role in my academic and career success,” Bryant said.

A woman, previously convicted of carrying contraband into the Oklahoma County Jail, now could face years in prison for allegedly trying to hide cocaine while serving time at the Canadian County Jail.

Danesheona Tashay Long, 33, was charged in Canadian County District Court with bringing contraband into jail.

The felony is punishable by one to five years in state prison and/or a $100 to $1,000 fine.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the bipartisan Promoting Regulatory Independence, Mastery and Expansion (PRIME) for Meat Processing Act to foster greater tribal control over meat processing operations in Indian Country.

If passed, the bill would extend tribal government’s self-governance authority to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declared two state laws restricting abortion to be unconstitutional, citing an earlier ruling in which the court declared abortion is a right granted by the Oklahoma Constitution despite the fact that the state constitution contains no language directly or implicitly addressing abortion.

Helen Eileen Smithwick passed away May 10, 2023, in Kingfisher at the age of 76. Helen was born to parents, Walter Myers and Wanda Myers on Nov. 29, 1946, in El Reno.

She graduated from El Reno High School in 1965. She raised three children, Wanda Sue, Mike and Richard, whom she loved very much.

She spent over 40 years as a beautician. She loved her clients and would go to their home or to the hospital if they could not come into the beauty shop to get their hair done.

She owned a shop at Grace Living Center for over 20 years.

Hernan Blanco hit a walk-off triple as El Reno High School’s Varsity 1 baseball team kicked off its summer schedule with a 9-0 win over Crossings Christian School.

The victory was part of a Red Dirt League doubleheader, with El Reno sweeping the Knights via a 9-3 decision in the nightcap. El Reno is playing in the RDL Wooden Bat Division.

Rhona Mae Donigan of Magnolia, Texas, was called home to heaven on May 9, 2023. For the last five years, Rhona resided in Magnolia with her daughter and family, but always considered El Reno to be her home. Rhona was born in Nebraska to her loving parents, Hugh and Violet Duckworth, on Sept. 29, 1929. She was the mother to James, Carolyn and David Norris, whom she loved dearly.

El Reno High School’s boys basketball program held its youth skills camp last week inside Jenks Simmons Field House and Annex.

Campers worked on fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, shooting and free throws. There were also individual and team competitions.
 

Funeral services for Murray MedicineBird were held June 3 at Geary First Baptist Church with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating.

Burial was in the Sunset Cemetery in Geary, under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

Murray passed away May 30, 2023, in Geary. He was born June 14, 1950, in Clinton.

He graduated from Chilocco Indian School and attended SIPI Trade School. He retired from Goodyear where he was a tire builder supervisor and worked at Sugar Creek Casino in his later years.