October 2023

Rebounding from a rough outing in its last tourney, Redlands Community College women’s golf team closed out the fall schedule with a third-place team finish in the 2023 Rangers Invitational.

Hosted by Northwestern Oklahoma State University, the event was played on the Meadowlake Golf Course in Enid, with the Rangers winning the team title with a 36-hole score of 627 (317/310).

Kansas-based Newman University was second with a 652 (328/324), while Redlands carded rounds of 326/328 for a 654. Northwestern’s B squad was fourth with a 696 (347/349).

Redlands Community College’s soccer team closed out the 2023 season on a three-match losing streak which included home shutout losses to Seminole State College and Eastern Oklahoma State College.

The three-match losing streak left the Cougars with a 2-14 overall record and a 2-13 mark in the NJCAA Region 2 standings – which was eighth.

The Cougars fell to Seminole State, the Region 2 leader, by a 7-0 margin after allowing five goals in the second half.

Redlands goalie Haley Inglehart allowed all seven goals but logged 16 saves.

El Reno High School senior Malachi Nicholson (3) was honored before last week’s game with Ardmore for his record-setting night in the September win over Noble.

Nicholson set a new school and Class 5A record for single-game rushing yards (516), which is also being considered for a state record.

He also set a school record for single-game touchdowns (8) which places him in a top 20 tie nationally.

Nicholson leaps in the air as he pats quarterback Elijah Fisher (6) on the head before the team enters the field. EHS defeated Ardmore 35-10.

The first-ever Horseback Heroes Gala raised some $155,000 for the Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program. Held at the Petroleum Club in downtown Oklahoma City, the evening attracted 130 people and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Yukon-based nonprofit that helps children with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding.

Established in 2013, SSTRP is named after “Miss Savannah,” the daughter of Athena and Jerry Captain.

Organizers said Savannah Station has been “changing the lives of young people with special needs since its barn doors opened.”

Four members of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office were recognized during the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association annual awards banquet held recently in Midwest City.

Dispatch Lt. Cindy White and Sgt. Maurice James both received Meritorious Service Awards, while Sgt. David Cates was recognized by the Sheriffs Association as the 2023 Deputy of the Year. Also and on behalf of the Deputy Justin Baxter family, Sheriff Chris West accepted the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association Sheriff’s Cross.

Three Redlands Community College employees were honored by the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges for their contributions to the college.

Marcia Shottenkirk was named Outstanding Faculty Member, while Debbie Newberry was recognized as Outstanding Professional Staff Member and Stephanie Fisher as Outstanding Support Staff Member.

A court date is set this month for a repeat felon who allegedly pepper-sprayed three detention officers while he was an inmate at the Canadian County Jail.

Weatherford’s Damon Neal Dunbar Jr., 38, was charged June 21 with three counts of discharging a stun gun, tear gas, mace or other deleterious agent against an officer and one count of possession of contraband in jail.

The felony case stems from an October 2022 incident at the Canadian County Jail at 304 N. Evans.

When public schools were shut down for COVID, proponents claimed any associated learning loss would be quickly overcome.

At the Sept. 14, 2020 meeting of the Deer Creek School Board, 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jena Nelson, who went on to become the Democratic nominee for state superintendent in 2022, urged officials to keep that district closed despite parent pleas to the contrary and dismissed concerns about student learning loss from extended online instruction.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma officials remained optimistic about the state’s potential to become a leader in the hydrogen industry despite a revelation that President Joe Biden had rejected a regional bid to become a hydrogen hub.

Biden instead selected seven hubs in 16 states to launch the nation’s $7 billion hydrogen hub program created under Congress’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Hydrogen is being pushed by the Biden administration as a clean fuel source to reduce carbon emissions.

The Rural Renewal Initiative at Oklahoma State University will host the annual Rural Renewal Symposium Nov. 2-3 at Quartz Mountain Lodge in Lone Wolf.