November 2023

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has affirmed a Canadian County judge’s ruling that a wedding event venue is not liable in a fatal drunk driving crash near Yukon.

Jeffrey and Kristine Murrow’s daughter, Marissa, 19, was killed by a habitual drunk driving offender more than three years ago on the Kilpatrick Turnpike at S.W. 15th in eastern Canadian County.

The Mustang couple appealed to the state’s highest court seeking to overturn now retired District Judge Jack D. McCurdy II’s decision in a Canadian County District Court civil suit.

The state Education Department is looking to hire someone to manage national media appearances, raising concerns the agency would be boosting Superintendent Ryan Walters’ national profile at taxpayer expense.

A firm is being sought to provide print and digital op-eds to national outlets, coordinate national events and appearances for executive staff, write speeches and handle some communications. Records show the department wants a minimum of three op-eds, two speeches and 10 media bookings per month.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Steve Daines (R-MT) led their Republican colleagues in submitting a comment letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) condemning the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) proposed “Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule,” which violates prohibitions on the use of taxpayer funds to facilitate abortions on unaccompanied minors at the border. 

LAWSUITS

Capital One N.A. vs. Erick Soto for $3,069.35 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Breezi Orendain for $4,429.02 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Gina Codispoti for $4,073.69 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Donnell Hayes for $860.61 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Without attempting a pass, El Reno High School’s football team ran its way into the Class 5A playoffs for a seventh straight season with a lopsided 63-24 win over the Altus Bulldogs.

The 39-point win closed out El Reno’s regular season with a 6-4 overall record. It’s the third time over the seven-year stretch of playoff berths for the Indians to win six or more games before the postseason.

In what is expected to be the final regular-season meeting between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State for the foreseeable future, the Cowboys prevailed 27-24 to remain tied for the Big 12 lead.

Eric Hughes was talking with his good friend, Adam Hall.

The pair were discussing what should be done with the property Hall had just purchased from the family of the late Cliff Johnson.

In El Reno, the asphalt-covered lot with the 1960s-looking diner along Sunset Drive is known as Jobe’s Drive-In. At least it was until 2015 when Johnson bought it at auction after longtime owner Robert Sanders decided to retire from the restaurant business.

Children in El Reno began receiving free monthly books in February through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Since its launch, the program has expanded to include Union City and Calumet. This month, some 5,000 books will have been delivered to local children for free.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library for the El Reno area has exceeded every benchmark set by the international program, said Amy Neathery, one of the coordinators for the local program.

Four Canadian County organizations will benefit from an upcoming event at the Canadian County Expo and Event Center.

The Expo and Event Center, 3001 Jensen Road East, is preparing to present the second annual Oklahoma Wine Brew and BBQ Festival and Competition.

Festivities will be noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 inside the center’s climate-controlled arena.

“We’re getting more vendors by the day,” said Mandy Davis, executive director of the Expo and Event Center.

Vendor booth fees, ticket sales and sponsors will benefit the cause.