February 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation requiring certain state agencies to implement a call-back system in a push to provide improved customer service has passed the Oklahoma House.

Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said he authored House Bill 3285 after overhearing a mom at his daughter’s dance class complaining that she had been on hold with a state agency for over an hour for the second time that week.

“People dread wading through the slog of their state government, and for good reason,” Hilbert said.

Mike Rowe, the Dirty Jobs star and host of How America Works, has recently unloaded on Gen Z. Rowe said that the importance of hard work is on the way out, and we have seen the last days of a work ethic being a virtue.

He said that work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification and a decent attitude were expected in the workplace, and those days are gone.

Gen Zers never had a paper route.

Two measures intended to reduce online child exploitation and harm won easy approval in Oklahoma House committees this week.

One measure targets companies that provide pornographic material by requiring those companies to have valid age verification safeguards, while the other bill would prevent most children from having social media accounts.

Patricia Deniece Schwarz was born March 11, 1957, in Tulsa to Eddy and Pat (Noblin) Davis. She was raised in numerous towns and cities in Oklahoma as Eddy’s job required the family to relocate periodically.

She was a nurse practitioner specializing in obstetrics and gynecology and was employed by the Oklahoma Health Department for over 25 years.

Deniece and Gary Schwarz were married in January of 1986 in Okarche where they raised their three boys.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Norman J. Lenhart Jr. of Yukon passed away Feb. 13, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born Dec. 7, 1934, in West Chester, Pa.

A Celebration of Life will be held by his children at a later date, with burial in the Frisco Cemetery.

Norman was retired from OG&E and had worked as a mechanic for many years. He loved yard work and gardening.

Norman is survived by his son, Mark Lenhart of Edmond; daughters, Kathi Scott of El Reno and Kim Delgrosso of Oklahoma City, sister, Catherine Meo of Kentucky; and five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Lamplighters OHCE of Canadian County met recently at Mount Zion Global Methodist Church. Carol Stine called the meeting to order, while Jan Maddox offered the devotional titled “Courage.”

Maxine Little read minutes of the previous meeting, with Patricia Morrison giving the treasury report.

Thank-you cards were read from the family of Charleece McBee and from Highland Baptist Church for the memorial sent honoring Charleece.

ICAN sent a thank-you card for the donation sent to them at Christmas.

The SW OHCE meeting will be March 19 in Hydro.

Private family services for Tyler Moses Youngbull were held Monday, Feb. 19 at North Family Cemetery in Geary with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating. Services were under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

Tyler was born Feb. 14, 2024, in Yukon and passed away that same day with his parents by his side.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University fall graduates:

Jacob Mayfield, Educational Administration, Master of Education, and Lacey Rowell, School Psychometry, Master of Education, both of Calumet; Briley Peters, School Psychometry, Master of Education, Casey White, School Psychometry, Master of Education, Karissa Liticker, Reading Specialist, Master of Education, and Morgan Burkhart, Communication Arts, Bachelor of Arts, all of El Reno.

Funeral services for Arthur Arnold Condulle were held Thursday, Feb. 22 at Geary First Baptist Church with Rev. Emmitt McKenzie and Rev. Eddie Lindsey officiating. Burial was in the Geary Cemetery under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.