June 2024

There will be a runoff on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to determine who will succeed House District 60 State Rep. Rhonda Baker (R-Yukon).

Mike Kelley and Ron Lynch will face off after being the top two vote-getters among four Yukon Republican candidates in last Tuesday’s House District 60 primary election.

Kelley, a retired Oklahoma City fire chief, finished first with 41.70 percent of 3,043 votes in 17 precincts.

Lynch, a small-business owner, was second with 21.85 percent of the vote.

For years, teachers unions and even officials at state colleges of education have resisted efforts to improve reading instruction in Oklahoma public schools. That’s why this year’s passage of legislation focused on reading instruction is such a significant victory.

A Red Lake, Minn., man has been convicted of causing the fentanyl-related death of his daughter last year in western Canadian County.

George Harold Graves, 55, was sentenced June 7 to serve 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony first-degree murder charge in Canadian County District Court.

George Graves “regardless of malice … took the life” of Stormie Jasmine Graves in February 2023 when she overdosed at her Calumet home, according to the charging document signed by Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt said his Chief of Staff Brandon Tatum will be the new CEO of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO).

“Brandon has served Oklahoma well and I’m excited for this next step in his journey. He believes in the mission of making Oklahoma a Top Ten state in everything we do and knows that a strong university system in our state is an important part of that,” said Gov. Stitt. “I know he will do great things at RUSO and will continue to work to align our education systems with our state’s workforce needs.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – The private company that operates a Lawton prison has ended its contract with the state after Gov. Kevin Stitt rejected a request for a $3 million increase.

In his veto message, Stitt said Senate Bill 1167 would create an unfunded mandate to increase per diem rates at the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility. The increase was not in the budget agreement, he said.

LAWSUITS

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs. Daniel Myers and Samantha Myers for $101,601.52 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 2, Block 2, Morrison's 2nd Addition, El Reno.

Paradigm Assets Recovery LLC vs. Brandon Crusha for $11,722.31 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation vs. David Benson for $191,209.64 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 10, Block 31, Summerhill Phase V Addition, Oklahoma City.

Players and coaches from El Reno High School’s baseball team held a Baseball Skills Camp recently at the Hub Reed Complex.

Forty campers ranging in different ages and skill levels took part in the three-day camp that focused on fundamentals such as throwing, catching, fielding and hitting.

El Reno police said a man who was being sought in connection with three killings may have also killed a man here. 

Assistant Police Chief Kirk Dickerson said Stacy Lee Drake, 50, had been identified as a suspect in an apparent homicide that happened in El Reno on June 14.

Drake was reportedly arrested in Arkansas on Thursday morning. 

Dickerson said on Friday, June 14, officers were called to a home at 204 N. Macomb shortly before 10:30 p.m., after it was reported a man was believed to have died there. 

According to the National Golf Foundation, 3.1 million children ages 6 to 17 years old visited a golf course at least once during 2020 – the sport’s largest increase in youth in more than a decade.

Despite those gains, youth across the United States face three major challenges getting into the sport according to U.S. Kids Golf founder Dan Van Horn - equipment, instruction and competition.

The Men’s Golf Association at Crimson Creek Golf Course is doing its part to attack all three areas through its first-ever Youth Academy, which is set to wrap up June 29.

Canadian County Sheriff Chris West won a third term in Tuesday’s Republican primary, trouncing challenger Justin Mize by an 81.83 percent majority.

West earned 10,040 of the 12,270 votes cast across all 60 Canadian County precincts.

“I’m extremely humbled by the overwhelming show of support by the citizens of Canadian County,” West said Tuesday night.