July 2023

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

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

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.