January 2025

Twelve different players scored, seven of those in double digits, as Redlands Community College men’s basketball team closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 68-point blowout.

The Cougars logged a season-high point total in their 122-54 defeat of Texas-based Loyalty College Prep. Redlands moved to 12-2 on the year and extended its current win streak to seven games.

Justice Johnson led all Redlands scorers with a line of 19 points, six rebounds and two steals.

As Oklahoma heads into the teeth of the winter months, local homeowners and renters are being cautioned to take simple steps to help prevent water pipes from freezing.

While there are no foolproof tips or tricks, El Reno plumber Tony Walker says the simplest step residents can take is to let faucets drip during times of freezing temperatures.

El Reno added the Banner Road and I-40 area to its city limits Thursday morning, but not until residents in the area had given city leaders a tongue lashing. 

Council voted 5-0 to annex what is described as Phase D of the recently announced expansion plan. The vote came at the conclusion of a 40-minute public hearing that pretty much filled the conference room at the Public Safety Center off SW 27th Street. The area is bounded on the south by Reno, the north by Elm Street and the east by Gregory Road. 

As El Reno and the area moved into the fall and winter months, the news kept coming. There were more celebrations and traditions as well as challenges. Let’s take a look.

SEPTEMBER

A three-person race developed for the Ward 1 El Reno City Council seat. 

Incumbent Amy Neathery would be challenged by Aaron J. Hines and Phillip Church. 

The person with the most votes would earn the right to represent Ward 1 during a four-year term.

Canadian County commissioners, at their final meeting of 2024, obligated the last of the county’s COVID-19 stimulus award to the Cardinal Point Family Justice Center. 

Commissioners approved a subrecipient agreement distributing to Cardinal Point the $294,342.39 left from $28,806,702 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded to Canadian County in 2021.

“Cardinal Point’s request was just over $336,000,” said District Attorney Tommy Humphries, whose office administers the county’s ARPA funds.

An Oklahoma City nun who worked at the Center of Family Love died Thursday afternoon in a crash near Okarche in Canadian County, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Sister Veronica Higgins, 74, was pronounced dead by the state medical examiner after the crash about 3:15 p.m. on Northwest Expressway/State Highway 3 and NW 192 about 4 miles south of Okarche, the patrol reported.

Higgins was the case manager at the Center of Family Love in Okarche.

She was also a past administrator and principal at the former Villa Teresa School in Oklahoma City.

The El Reno Animal Shelter will host a low-cost vaccine clinic and pet adoption event on Saturday, Jan. 11.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Reno Animal Shelter, 2400 Spur Lane.

The event is open to the public, but to pre-register, email angelfundokc@gmail.com. To learn more, visit www.angelfundokc.org.

Norma Denny, 90, of El Reno passed into the arms of Jesus on Jan. 1, 2025.

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Steven Salerno for $2,415.00 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Elizabeth Engelen for $1,177.52 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Dylan Mogg for $8,760.89 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Brian Morice for $1,662.97 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Gerald (Gerry) August Gleichman of Okarche passed away peacefully on New Year’s Day 2025, in Oklahoma City, surrounded by family and loved ones. 

Gerald was born March 21, 1936, in Okarche. To read full obituary, please visit MemorialParkOKC.com.