November 2023

Union City High School’s girls basketball team earned cross-county bragging rights over rival Calumet recently with a season-opening 62-30 win over the Chieftains. The Tigers shot 41 percent, making 23-of-49 (47 percent) attempts from 2-point range.

Fritz Joseph Cerne Jr., 77, of El Reno, passed away Nov. 5, 2023. Cremation services were under the care of Wilson Funeral Home.

After having its 26-game win streak snapped in last season’s state title game, Calumet High School’s boys basketball team started out on another possible win streak. The Chieftains kicked off the 2023-24 season with a lopsided 98-33 win over cross-county rival Union City.

Wake services for Carl Heap of Birds will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, with funeral services at 12 p.m. Saturday, both at the Emergency Response Center in Concho. Burial will follow in the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Services for Alisha Dawn Kirkland will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Benson Memorial Chapel with Ginger Lemons officiating. Alisha died Nov. 6, 2023, at her home in El Reno. She was born Feb. 14, 1980, in El Reno. A lifelong resident, she graduated from El Reno High School in 1999.

Service members make numerous sacrifices in defense of their countries.

Andrew Von Werder Mother - Helen Ozella (White) Von Werder was a past Royal Matron of Amaranth. Father - Master Sgt. August H. Von Werder, U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, 1917-1944, World War I and World War II. Was a Mason and worked at Fort Reno until its closure.

Dr. Bryan Blankenship, DDS Son of Craig and Kim Mittelstaedt. Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. 2002-2008 Two tours of duty in Iraq.

Ronnie Melton U.S. Navy - Submarine 1968-71