July 2023

Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, was elected chair of the Education Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC).

She has served as vice chair of the regional committee since 2021.

Baker, a former teacher, chairs the House Common Education Committee.

“This nomination by my regional peers is not only a personal honor, but this speaks to advancements in education policy the Oklahoma Legislature has accomplished that are being recognized at a national level and applauded by our southern partners,” Baker said.

The Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races celebrated its 10th year on Lake El Reno and 23rd year overall over the weekend.

One of the reasons for the success of the events has been a strong working relationship with the city of El Reno.

Event organizers said thank you by giving former Mayor Matt White and current Mayor Steve Jensen rides after the opening ceremonies.

The mayors boats also raced each other.

Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center is set to host two upcoming workshops designed to teach participants about direct-to-consumer meat sales.

Rodney Holcomb, associate professor and agribusiness economist, said there are many food safety and sales regulations that need to be understood before a rancher can begin selling directly to a consumer or retailer.

For many gardeners, the summer months are the busiest of the growing season. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, harvesting garden-fresh produce can continue well into the fall.

Patricia “Pat” Josephine (Oldfield) Boswell, 82, of Yukon, passed away July 14, 2023, at Baptist Hospital, Oklahoma City.

Patricia was born June 18, 1941, in El Reno at home to Edward William and Bertha Florence (Kirby) Oldfield. She attended school in El Reno and graduated high school in 1959. She then attended Blackwood Business College and graduated in May 1961.

Patricia married Gene Boswell on Sept. 8, 1961, at the Nazarene Church in El Reno. From this union came one son, Prentiss.

Oklahoma’s redcedar eradication effort and study planned for the North Canadian River watershed over the next five years is unprecedented in its scope.

Elden LeeRoy Eichholz went into the loving arms of his Lord on July 12, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born April 16, 1924, in El Reno to his parents, Robert and Johanna Engbrecht Eichholz. He was raised on a farm in Okarche and graduated from Okarche schools.

Elden met the love of his life, Juanita Statton on a hayride, and they were married July 25, 1943, in El Reno. He owned his own shoe shop until his retirement. He was known as the Cobbler.

He loved being a snowbird and camping with his family.

Congresswoman Stephanie Bice is introducing a bill to protect natural gas stoves from being regulated out of use by the Biden administration. H.R. 4395 is the Natural Gas Appliances Standards (GAS) Act.

“The Biden administration continues to try to control every aspect of our daily lives. My legislation will stop Biden’s Department of Energy from banning natural gas appliances, which provide a safe, reliable and affordable energy source for nearly 187 million Americans,” said Bice.

To the Editor:

The term “mental health” is a subject that is not talked about enough in our tribal communities. In my family, I remember the men and boys were always told to be strong and not to cry. This is a mindset I learned to live with until I couldn’t any longer.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve endured traumatic events and grief that I needed to process, but I didn’t know how. When I lost my mother in January 2022, I was lost and broken. I didn’t know how to pick up the pieces of the life I knew until I was told, “It’s OK to ask for help, Zach.”

Memorial services for Arnold Edward Griesel will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 19 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, with interment with military honors in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Arnold passed away July 12, 2023. He was born Nov. 12, 1942, in Dalehart, Texas.

He graduated from Yukon High School in 1960 and served in the U.S. Air Force. He then went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and computer science from Central State College.

Arnold is survived by his son, Keith, and two grandchildren.