February 2026

MUNICIPAL COURT

Red Big Eagle, Calumet, speeding, $175.

Kassie Seeman, El Reno, trespassing on posted property, $295.

Thomas Kilian, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Penn Pumah, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.

James Reed, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.

Irene Elorza Monsivais, El Reno, driving without license issued, $252.

Elias Juan Francisco, Oklahoma City, expired tag and driving without license issued, $417.

Asked Chiles, El Reno, trespassing on posted property, $295.

Melody Duty, Yukon, speeding, $165.

Gardeners in Oklahoma are eager to get their landscapes looking good, and pruning their trees and shrubs is one way to get started.

Pruning not only is an essential maintenance practice, but it also enhances the beauty of the trees and shrubs, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist.

A 9-year-old boy was attacked by four large dogs.

Thankfully, Superman, or in this case, Ryder Watts was in the area.

Watts, a 16-year-old El Reno High School sophomore, was driving near the Jensen, Holbrook Circle area when he saw what was happening.

El Reno Public Schools Board of Education officially entered the construction documents phase on the first buildings to be erected under last year’s record school bond.

In October, voters approved two bond proposals totaling $69.5 million, with classroom additions at Lincoln and Roblyer Learning Centers being among the first builds on the construction timeline.

We should all stop and think about this the next time El Reno and the area gets hit with severe weather: There are people working in the elements while most are riding the storm out inside some sort of building.

One of those people would be Charles Hill. At least until Feb. 28. That will be Hill’s last day as a letter carrier for the El Reno Post Office.

It’s a job he considers a service that has spanned 34 years. In that time, Hill and his fellow letter carriers, along with so many others, have braved the weather because the rest of us depend on them.

A former truck driver has received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to causing a double-fatality traffic collision in far west Canadian County.

Chickasha’s Cordele R. Brandon Sr., age 70, was required to surrender his commercial driver’s license as part of a plea agreement in Canadian County District Court.

Brandon entered his guilty plea Jan. 29 to two counts of negligent homicide by motor vehicle.

The misdemeanor charge stemmed from a deadly crash that occurred Sept. 23, 2023, near Geary.

Diana Lynn Snyder Luna was born April 4, 1958, in El Reno to Glenn “Art” and Sue Snyder. She died Feb. 9, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. 

She married the love of her life, Ronnie Luna on Nov. 14, 1994, and they spent 32 wonderful years together in Murfreesboro. Through this love, Diana gained a bonus daughter, Alyssa, who she loved very much.

Diana was the adored “Auntie Di” of the family and she mothered many people throughout her life, all without having had her own children. She also took exceptional care of her fur babies, Molly, Maggy and Mitzi. 


LAWSUITS

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Louise Wright for $2,148.79 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Robert Hernandez for $2,642.30 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Delvon Colbert for $4,017.78 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Anthony Teeters for $2,192.82 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Graveside services for Mary Lou (Griggs) Gambel were held Monday, Feb. 16 at the Calumet Cemetery with Rev. Mike Davis officiating. Services were under the direction of Turner Funeral Home of Hinton. 

Mary Lou passed away Feb. 13, 2026, in Yukon. She was born Dec. 1, 1943, in El Reno.

She grew up in Calumet, graduated from Calumet High School and lived her whole life there.

She helped on the family farm and enjoyed quilting and gardening.

Mary Lou is survived by her son, Bryan Gambel of Calumet; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Jeff Kouba watched all four of his kids take shots inside the famed Jenks Simmons Field House while wearing El Reno jerseys.

He even admits to tossing up a few himself while playing basketball in high school for then head coach Glen Rickner.