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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.