October 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma CareerTech plans to ask state lawmakers for an additional $68 million in its budget to expand workforce training, technology centers and career exploration programs.

The CareerTech board last week unanimously approved a more than $244 million request for the 2027 budget year, up from the agency’s current $175.5 million appropriation.

CareerTech provides training and skills education.  

Director Brent Haken said the request is “bold and aggressive.”  

Many people pushing for California-style primaries argue that fundamentally changing our voting system would moderate politics in Oklahoma. That not only begs the question of whether moderating politics would be a positive for Oklahoma, but it also isn’t true.

A look at the two states that have already adopted open primaries is illustrative.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Almost half of Oklahoma’s 1.6 million households struggled to pay for basic needs in 2023, according to the ALICE in Oklahoma: A Study of Financial Hardship report released by Tulsa Area United Way.

A household is defined as everyone living together in one home, from a single person to a family.

More than 700,000 households fell short of the income needed to cover essentials such as housing, food and transportation, according to the ALICE in Oklahoma report.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) has launched the Center for Advanced Aerospace Engineering, a dedicated space on campus where students will collaborate with engineers from OSU’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE).

As part of the OSSM Mentorship Program, juniors and seniors will work on real-world aerospace projects, applying classroom knowledge to cutting-edge innovations.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Raymond Littlecreek, El Reno, possession of marijuana and failure to appear warrant, $795.

Daniel Alejandro Camacho, Bethany, improper turn and driving without license issued, $397.

Maria Eva Pepe, El Reno, driving without license issued, $252.

Daithan Scott Kitchko, Binger, speeding, $185.

Daniel Wesley Randall, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Kylie Nicole Burnett, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Sebastian Chandler, Fort Smith, Ark., driving without license issued and speeding, $337.

The Damrosch Music Club will present its monthly music program composed of choral and ensemble pieces on Wednesday, Oct. 8 beginning at 10 a.m. at Ellison Avenue United Methodist Church, 600 S. Ellison Avenue.

A small reception will follow the program.

Only one other District 5A-2 member shares the same burden as El Reno High School’s football team, having to play the top three squads in the standings over consecutive weeks.

El Reno continued that daunting task last week with a 49-7 loss to Carl Albert, ranked No.1 in Class 5A according to the latest Associated Press poll, to slip to 0-2 in the standings. The Indians are tied with Western Heights for seventh.

The setback dropped El Reno to 8-37 overall in the series with the Titans, dating back to 1970, and 1-4 on the season.

El Reno High School’s volleyball team remains in the hunt to force a tie for the 2025 Suburban Conference Championship following a 3-0 road win over Del City.

The 25-14/25-12/25-12 win over the Eagles moved the Class 5A’s 13th-ranked Indians to 18-7 on the season and 4-1 in the Suburban Conference standings.

El Reno is tied with Newcastle for second in the league at 4-1, both chasing No.7 Carl Albert (5-0), which the Indians will play in their regular-season finale.

Despite logging a dozen base hits, El Reno High School’s fast-pitch softball team dropped its second straight home game to a Class 6A program with a 13-8 setback to Mustang’s junior varsity.

El Reno slipped to 13-15 on the year with the loss, which capped its home slate.

The Indians belted out the 12 base hits off a .353 average and were aided with seven walks, two each from Maddy Brinkman and Kyla Killingsworth.

Leilani Niles, Daisy Hall and Bridgette McReynolds had a free pass each.

Funeral services for Reta Louise Mata will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Concho Emergency Response Center, followed by burial in the Concho Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Reta died Oct. 3, 2025, at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City.

She was born Sept. 5, 1958, in Memphis, Texas.

She was a production worker for a carpet manufacturing company.