November 2025

During an assembly filled with educators and administrators from its seven school sites and central office, El Reno Public Schools announced the 2025-26 District Teacher of the Year prior to the Thanksgiving break.

It’s the third year for the announcement to come before the start of the holiday season.

“We do this now so that the winner can have the opportunity to put their name into the running for the statewide Teacher of the Year.

“As superintendent, it’s my honor to get to announce the District Teacher of the Year,” said El Reno Superintendent Matt Goucher.

Students at El Reno Public Schools First Steps Child Development Center capped off their Harvest Week studies recently with a visit from local farmers Jay Riley and Ryan Sorrels and grain silo owner Brandon Schroeder.

Students got an up-close look at a Holland combine, the largest in Oklahoma, and a smaller John Deere combine and grain cart.

They were also shown samples of harvested soybeans.

Madison Basler, 12 years old, will appear in the Storyteller Theatre production of the classic “Little Women: A Holiday Experience,” performing at the Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City.

Madison is playing the part of Little Amy, the youngest March sister and a self-proclaimed “most important person!”

Madison lives in El Reno and is a student at Maple School.

The City of El Reno will appeal the Canadian County District Court ruling that said its annexation of property was mostly invalid. 

The 4-1 vote came following a special city council meeting Wednesday. Council immediately moved into closed executive session, spending more than an hour behind closed doors before returning to open meeting and voting on the matter. 

A $1 billion data center on Yukon’s west side is not a done deal.

That was a message shared by Yukon City Manager Jeff Deckard as he and Mayor Brian Pillmore answered questions posed by citizens during a 30-minute Facebook Live session.

“We are only in the beginning stages of it,” said Deckard.

A 0.5-gigawatt data center has been proposed on a 184.5-acre site at Highway 66 and Frisco Road as part of a large data center campus.

July 13, 1968 – August 6, 2025

Steven Haskell Ratliff, 57, passed away Aug. 6, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.

He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, intelligence, and a deep appreciation for the things that make life meaningful – sports, stories, music, movies and heartfelt conversations.

Born July 13, 1968, Steven grew up with natural athletic ability and a life-long love of sports. He excelled in nearly anything he tried, but he found his greatest joy on the basketball court, the tennis court and the golf course.

Hillcrest kindergarten October Responsibility Award winners are Keldyn Webb, Zayden Cole, Scarlett Rabago, Kinleigh Lynn, Ariyah Samad, Alayna Stewart, Nova Melendez, Jackson Schuldt, Eli Murray, Zayana Zarate, Romina Reyes, Alice Anderson and Weston Kuehl.

Also, Dayana Jaramillo, Ismael Bonilla, Everly Norman, Miah Dominguez, Brayan Cirlos, Aaliyah Grisham, Kallen Brittain, Nayeli Gonzalez, Kason Ward, Caroline Metcalf and Z’Rye Strider.

Hillcrest pre-kindergarten October Responsibility Award winners are Brayleigh Turner, Bennett Moores, Yaniesy Arellano, Kaysen Neeley, Roarke Watson, Jazmin Cirlos, Garren Porter, Eliseo Garcia and Christopher Borjas;.

They also include, Wisdom Harris, Kase Freeman, Kinsley Chadwick, Jesse Johnson, Braydon Cagle and Winrey Rosberg.

The El Reno Wranglers held their annual Thanksgiving meeting and dinner recently with 32 members and three guests present. President Jimmy Johnston opened the meeting, while Gary Sorrells offered prayer. 

The club presented a donation check to Nicki Pruitt for The Lord’s Harvest. 

Members will be riding in the El Reno Christmas Parade and the Stockyards Christmas Parade, both on Dec. 6. 

A live auction followed the meeting. Items were auctioned as a fundraiser for the club.

Okarche yearbook staff and advisers are shown with their Gold Level banner for the 2025 yearbook, from left, Morgan Shepherd, Jordyn Darst, Traci Fuller, adviser, Ayden Munier, Chesney Black, Robert Ford, adviser, Jaici Easton, Gabby Mayer and Brianna Mollohan.

This year marks the fifth year the book has won the Gold Level Award from the National Yearbook Program of Excellence, which recognizes excellence in yearbook creation and school engagement.

Three of this year’s staff were members of last year’s award-winning staff — Darst, Black and Mollohan.