January 2025

Gov. Kevin Stitt has a simple solution to deal with statewide elected officials who fall out of favor with voters while in office: Let the governor appoint them in the first place.

“I think that the governor should appoint all these positions because you’ve got one neck to choke, and the 4 million Oklahomans vote on the governor,” Stitt said Dec. 20.

Funeral services for Charles Phillip Ganote of Oklahoma City will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13 at the Concho Emergency Response Center with burial in the Concho Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Charles died Jan. 8, 2025, at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was born April 28, 1982, in Weatherford. He worked in security for the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

States across the nation continue cutting income tax rates with a new round of reductions taking effect this month. The trendline has Oklahoma falling behind in the race to attract investment and job creation.

In the 1990s, Oklahoma’s top income tax rate was 7 percent. It has since been reduced to 4.75 percent. But even that 4.75 percent rate now significantly exceeds what entrepreneurs would face if they took their money elsewhere.

Randy Lee Popham died Jan. 1, 2025, at his home and had lived in El Reno over 30 years.

Randy was born Jan. 3, 1958, in Charleston, S.C. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a painting contractor and a gun parts dealer.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Knight Davis; sister, Debbie Pendergast; and brothers, Terry Popham, Billy Popham and Ricky Davis.

Randy is survived by Jeri Popham, Shawn Pugh and J.P. Jones; sister, Cathy Davis; and three grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Ramiro Vasquez for $913.42 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

American Express National Bank vs. Antonio Rodriguez for $6,901.14 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Hailey Bishop for $3,655.73 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Capital One N.A. vs. Karina Ochoa for $2,247.77 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Capital One N.A. vs. Lindsey Braley for $1,721.20 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

CALUMET – In the first game of 2025, Calumet High School’s boys basketball team had a lot to celebrate, including its first No.1 ranking of the season.

The Chieftains passed defending champion Wilson for the top spot in the Class B poll with 15 first-place votes and 1,660 total points. Wilson, which defeated Calumet for the state title in 2024, is a close second with 1,630 points, 66 first-place votes, but a 4-4 overall record.

CALUMET – Making only a pair of baskets in the fourth period, Calumet High School’s girls basketball team held off a rally by rival Geary at the free-throw line.

The Chieftains made 12-of-14 free throws over the final eight minutes, including 11 in a row, to secure a 54-33 win over the Bison.

The 21-point victory moved Calumet to 3-8 on the season and 2-3 in the Washita Valley Conference standings.

Calumet led 28-17 at the break despite Geary scoring the final six points before the break.

Both El Reno High School basketball teams will put their unbeaten records on the line this weekend in the 2025 Anadarko Warriors Classic.

It’s the second tourney of the season for EHS with both teams winning their first outings.

Ten of the 11 players on its game roster scored as Redlands Community College women’s basketball team tuned up for the start of NJCAA Region 2 play with a 72-37 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan University's junior varsity.

The victory was the second in a row for the Cougars, who improved to 7-4 on the season.

Three of Redlands scorers closed in double digits, led by Ellie Willard with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Katelyn Harviston was one of two with a double-double, adding 11 points, 10 boards and three steals.