August 2025

The El Reno Tribune asked for readers first day of school pictures and received more than 25 submissions.

OKLAHOMA CITY — An El Reno teacher was one of 37 Oklahoma educators who spent six days immersed in early American history at the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg in June.

El Reno Etta Dale Junior High instructor Ashleigh Schaffer was part of the group. 

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence coordinates the selection of educators from the state for fellowships to attend the renowned teacher institute, which is held in and around the restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia.

The dog days of summer are not typically associated with school, but the summer of 2025 has marked the 100th anniversary of two pivotal events in the history of American public schools.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Yoselin Ramirez, El Reno, improper equipment and driving without license issued, $357.

Samantha Marie Galindo, El Reno, expired tag, $130.

Nathan Ryan Phillips, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Ernesto Ortis Guevara, El Reno, driving without license issued, $252.

Samuel Ray Nusz, failure to wear seat restraint, $20.

Douglas Glen Laster, Oklahoma City, speeding, $185.

David Levelle Ladd, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.

Bryon Keith Jones, El Reno, failure to wear seat restraint, $20.

While it will be heavily scripted, fans and opposing teams wanting to get an early glimpse of El Reno High School’s football team will have their one and only chance Friday night.

El Reno will hold its only preseason scrimmage at Memorial Stadium against Elk City.

Junior high teams will play at 5:30 p.m. Varsity squads will follow around 6:30 p.m.

Price for admission will be either towels or a bottle of laundry soap to be used by the football program this season.

OKLAHOMA CITY - When 12 teams pulled out of the El Reno tournament in favor of the famed Hall of Fame Fast Pitch Softball Festival, Indians head coach Bri Michalicka was forced to cancel her event and follow.

What her team found waiting was a tough Class 6A-dominated pool and a 1-3 record.

“There were some good quality 6A teams there but we did not execute well.

“We did not play up to our level,” said Michalicka.

El Reno defeated Lawton MacArthur (11-0) but dropped games to 6A squads Edmond Memorial (10-5), Stillwater (10-1) and Yukon’s junior varsity (5-4).

In one of its best finishes in recent years, El Reno High School’s volleyball team placed second in its own tournament following a 25-16/26-24 loss to Duncan in the Gold Bracket finals.

The loss snapped a four-match win streak for El Reno after a non-tourney win over Capitol Hill (3-0) and pool play wins over Guymon (2-0), Guthrie (2-1) and Chickasha (2-0).

El Reno is now 4-2 on the season.

The team recorded 45 aces over the five-match run, led by Radley Miller with 14 aces, 11 from Brantlie Charmasson, 10 by Deyana Cookston and six by Jaida Richardson.

12/16/1957 – 08/09/2025

Cindy Bonham, beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 67 years old.

Born and raised in Winfield, Kan., Cindy graduated from Winfield High School in 1976 and married her devoted husband, Lari Bonham, in 1978. In 1983, they settled in Oklahoma, where Cindy dedicated herself to raising her children and building a career in the hospitality industry.

Improvements to Rock Island and Sunset will begin Aug. 25. 

City Manager Matt Sandidge said the Oklahoma Department of Transportation is making the improvements that will run from Rock Island to Caddo and from Sunset to Hadden. 

The overlay work is expected to take several weeks and will reduce traffic flow but the results promise to be worth it, Sandidge said. 

“It’s a huge win for the community,” the city manager said. 

Sandidge made the comments at last week’s city council meeting. 

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El Reno has adopted new boundaries for city council ward seats. 

The new boundaries were necessary after housing developments brought in more growth as well as the annexation of land on the east side of town. 

And the new voters brought into the city limits through the annexation will get the opportunity to vote in a November municipal election.