March 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY – The third time really is a charm.

In its third straight trip to the finals riding a multi-game win streak, top-ranked Calumet avenged last year’s loss to Henryetta-Wilson with a 56-43 victory to claim the 2025 Class B Oklahoma Boys State High School Basketball Championship.

“We’ve had a lot of great players who did not win state and deserved to be state champs. This is awesome to have (title) and there is a big difference from winning and losing that last game,” said Calumet head coach Jacob Mayfield.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The final small school game to ever be played inside the Big House proved to be a record-setting night for Okarche as the Warriors defeated No.4 Okay 67-54 to win the Class A Boys Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championship.

“My dad would be loving this right now. We came here for games ever since I could walk. All the great players who have been through this place before and for our kids to get out on this floor and experience it once more is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William Eugene (Gene) Roblyer, who passed away peacefully Feb. 27, 2025, at the age of 79. 

Gene was born Aug. 11, 1945, to Jack Arnold and Betty Janice Roblyer in El Reno.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his middle brother, Richard Arnold (2016); and his youngest brother, Gary Donald (2015). 

LAWSUITS

Capital One N.A. vs. Casey Fleehart for $24,642.67 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

AmeriHome Mortgage Company LLC vs. Jesus Fernandez for $185,520.65 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 44, Block 1, Mustang Heights Addition.

Loan Depot LLC vs. Brian Adkisson for $329,285.33 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 6, Block 10, Braxton Addition Section 3, Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Fifteen turnovers and 30 percent shooting over the middle periods cost Okarche a spot in the finals at the 2025 Class A Girls Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championships.

Okarche, ranked 20th in the state, ended its season at 23-10 with a 56-34 setback to third-ranked Cyril. The Warriors were making their 12th semifinal appearance in school history but the first since 2017.

Services for Mike R. Laub of El Reno will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home with Rev. Cydni Tillery officiating, followed by cremation. 

Mike died March 7, 2025, at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City. He was born June 9, 1950, in El Reno. During his high school years he played football and was selected to be an All-Stater and All-American. He went on to play for the University of Oklahoma.

Mike loved farming, ranching, gardening and sports and enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, cattle sales and casinos.

El Reno city leaders have formally responded to a lawsuit as they defend their decision to expand El Reno’s corporate boundaries through annexation. And a newly elected state representative said he has proposed legislation to tweak state law pertaining to the matter. 

“The City of El Reno exercised its annexation power in a reasonable manner and in compliance with the standards of state law,” according to an answer filed Feb. 20 in Canadian County District Court. 

It was a record-setting week for El Reno High School’s Future Farmers of America show team during the 2025 Canadian County Junior Livestock Show and Sale.

Twenty-five students showed 45 animals during the weeklong event held at the county’s Expo Center. The team showed in cattle, goats, swine and poultry divisions.

El Reno also had a successful showing in the newly created agriculture mechanics competition as Dalton Garcia and Mason Broadway helped land the grand champion award and other honors.

Youth agricultural leaders were celebrated as more than $360,000 was raised at the Canadian County Junior Livestock Show’s 2025 Sale of Champions.

Some 1,100 people converged on the Canadian County Expo and Event Center, 3001 Jensen Road East, for a dinner and live auction that highlighted the 53rd annual competition.

The premium auction featured 105 youth exhibitors showcasing their sheep, cattle, goats, swine, poultry and ag mechanics projects.

Denver Hayes Tahah has listened to his mom, Brett coach every Okarche High School girls basketball game this season, but he’s never seen her on the court.

That all changed last week.

Arriving three weeks and two days early, mom and her newborn were both inside the Jim Norick Arena for Okarche’s Class A state quarterfinal game with Amber-Pocasset.