March 2026

Workers from Dill Electric were up in the air this week, replacing lights at Joe Riley Field in Legion Park.

Chase Warren and John Thompson spent several hours on the project.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has seen a 106 percent spike in the number of work zone fatalities, Oklahoma’s transportation secretary said this week.  

Tim Gatz, who also serves as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation executive director, said in 2023, there were 33 work zone fatalities in Oklahoma, a 106 percent increase above the prior year.

A spokesperson for the agency said those are the most available figures.

TULSA – In a historic weekend for Oklahoma education and industry, Westmoore High School was crowned the first-ever Oklahoma High School State Aviation Champions.

The Jaguars secured the title at the event hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and FlightSafety International in Tulsa.

The championship held Feb. 20-21 at the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus brought together 12 finalist teams from across the state.

Riverside February Citizens of the Month are Wyatt Buchanan, Maddoxx Morgan, Kevin Fuller, Makya Muskett, Abel Kerr, Kynlee Long and Yitzel Casanova.

Also, Ivory Christianson, Tristan Blakely, Summer Amway, Payton Stinett, Katheryn Trujillo, T.W. Magee and Evelyn Maddox.

OKLAHOMA CITY – An annual tradition at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Bob Wills Day, will take place on Monday, March 9.

Bob Wills Day at the Capitol is presented through a partnership of the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Historical Society, with support from the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP), Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) and National Endowment for the Arts.

A 50-year plaque was presented to El Reno Mobile Meals honoring the organization for its service to the community.

The plaque was presented by the El Reno Chamber of Commerce.

An Arkansas man awaiting trial for charges that he killed his daughter’s accused sexual abuser has won the Republican nomination for county sheriff, in a race that’s garnered national attention.

Aaron Spencer won more than 53 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s three-person primary for Lonoke County sheriff. Spencer will face Democratic nominee Brian Mitchell Sr. this fall.

“Tonight, the people of Lonoke County stood up and chose transparency and accountability,” Spencer said in a release from his campaign.

LAWSUITS

M&T Bank vs. David Emert and Angela Emert for $78,940.91 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 2, Block 16, Bellflower Addition Section 3, Oklahoma City.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Vanderlei Do Prado for $45,314.34 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Bernard Fontaine for $13,178.92 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The quest to set a new school record kicked off with a bang as top-ranked Okarche defeated Cheyenne-Reydon 89-49 in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Class A Boys Oklahoma Basketball State Championships.

The Warriors, the two-time defending state champs, are bidding to become the first Okarche sporting team to ever win three straight titles and the program’s fourth.

Aaron West’s team improved to 27-3 on the year and will take a 17-game win streak into the semifinals against No.8 Allen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Okarche made only two baskets in the fourth period of the Warriors quarterfinal matchup with No.7 Allen at the Class A Girls Oklahoma Basketball State Championships.

Yet Brett Tahah’s fifth-ranked team walked away with a 51-43 victory over the Mustangs after hitting 11-of-13 free throws in the final 4:19 to secure a spot in the Final Four for a second straight season.

Okarche, now 25-5 on the year, will take on No.2 Canute in the semifinals.