December 2025

While gaining valuable mat time against stout competition, El Reno High School’s girls and boys wrestling teams placed only one entry at the 2025 Kansas City Stampede.

The lone placer came from the girls team as Bentley Sharp (235) took eighth with a 3-3 overall record.

She posted two close wins by a combined five points before scoring an 8-2 decision over Glenpool’s Tatum Brown.

El Reno was one of 14 Oklahoma teams, including Yukon and Piedmont, to make the journey to Missouri for the event. Thirteen states were represented in the 78-team field.

The pending Tournament of Champions in Tulsa could derail its efforts but Okarche High School’s boys basketball team remains on track to rewrite the state record books for most consecutive wins.

Okarche, ranked No.1 in Class A, moved to 10-0 on the season with victories over Watonga (113-84) and Seiling (99-28).

The Warriors have now won 51 straight games dating back to 2023, as Aaron West’s team needs 16 more to tie the state mark for consecutive wins. The record of 67 was set 66 years ago by Byng (1957-59).

Logan White hit a game-winning shot with three seconds left as Okarche High School’s girls basketball team capped off the 2025 portion of its schedule with a 35-33 win over powerhouse Seiling.

The Wildcats, a Class B state semifinalist last season and currently ranked third in the B-1 polls, led Okarche by seven points with two minutes to play. However, the Warriors got clutch baskets from Callie Cramer, Katie Parham and Ally Baustert to close the gap before White’s game-winner.

Letters to Santa from Heidi Curtis’ kindergarten class at Maple:

Dear Santa,
I have been naughty and nice. I would like you to bring me a pink bike, a baby Jesus and a Nintendo Switch.

Love, Kamdyn

Dear Santa,
I have been nice. I would like you to bring me a blue Mario game.

Love, Region

Dear Santa,
I have been nice. I would like you to bring me a toy skid steer with attachments, a gaming set-up and a Nintendo Switch.

Love, Riggs

The holiday season can be seen all around El Reno through decorations and a wide range of inflatable characters and house lights.

Redlands Community College has been named a 2025 Oklahoma Top Workplace. 

“It is an honor to be named a Top Workplace because this recognition comes directly from our employees and reflects how much they enjoy being part of Redlands,” said Redlands President Jena Marr.

“We have an exceptional team of faculty and staff, and I am proud of the way they support our students and one another. The work we do would not be as effective or meaningful without the dedication and experience our employees bring to the college each day.”

Three Canadian County sheriff’s deputies recently graduated from the Basic Police Officer Academy.

Deputies Kimberly Schlosser, Alexis Owens and Jaron McClure began training at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in August to obtain their Law Enforcement Officer Certifications.

Dayna Rowe, executive director of External Affairs at Redlands Community College, has been recognized as the Natalea Watkins Communicator of the Year by the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA), a statewide honor recognizing outstanding leadership and achievement in higher education.

Several El Reno High School students shop for the annual Gifts to the Yanks event.

The students shopped and then wrapped the gifts that were taken to the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City.

66 Tactical, a private gun club and training center, partnered with the Oklahoma Purple Heart Youth Ambassadors in a food and toy drive to serve families of Oklahoma veterans in need this holiday season.

Each year, the Oklahoma Department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart distributes holiday food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas to ensure that local veterans in need share happy memories around healthy holiday meals with their families.