March 2026

Michelle Rene Acuff, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. 

She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, generosity and devoted love for her faith, family, friends, and the many students whose lives she touched.

Michelle was born in Okarche to Robert V. and Florence E. (Grellner) Rother on March 8, 1968. She was raised in El Reno and graduated from El Reno High School in 1986, where her strong spirit and kind heart began to shape the remarkable woman she would become. 

Developed for Indigenous communities, Family Spirit is an evidence-based home visiting program now being utilized by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. 

The newly formed Family Spirit Program is an evidence-based curriculum for pregnant mothers and caregivers with children up to 3 years of age.

The curriculum covers lessons over prenatal care, infant care, child development, toddler care, life skill-building, school readiness, maternal health and positive parenting practices. 

Services for Ernest Lee McMullen were held Thursday, March 26 at First Baptist Church in Minco, with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home.

Ernest was born in Minco on April 15, 1935, to Roy and Lola McMullen. He went to be with the Lord on March 20, 2026, at the age of 90 while living at St. Katharine’s Retirement Center in El Reno. 

El Reno High School February Students of the Month are Alxzandr Morales-Grant, David Sauz, Halli Ferguson, Bradley Island
and Kynzyn Eaglenest.

Also earning the award were Karmen Warner, Sabrina Keel and Pierson Brandley.

El Reno High School January Students of the Month are Jaydrien Mantooth, Issiah Doty Castillo, Jillian Reavis, Luke Siler, Bella Stevenson, Izraell Morales-Grant, Oliyah Acosta and Brady Boser.

LAWSUITS

Navy Federal Credit Union vs. Brad Shumate for $138,274.52 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lots 20 and 21, Block 2, Gadberry 2nd Addition, El Reno.

Citibank N.A. vs. Brian Spall for $16,914.72 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

First National Bank of Omaha vs. Clayton Miller for $17,170.28 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Senior Mason Fulton scored the game-winning run on a dropped ball as El Reno High School’s baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Santa Fe South to move back to even ground in district play.

El Reno took the series opener on the road by a 12-2 score, then capped off the sweep with an 11-1 decision at the Hub Reed Complex.

The Indians have won three straight games to move to 4-5 on the year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Although winning games and sets in each bracket entered, El Reno High School’s tennis team brought home only one medal from the 2026 81 West Classic.

Playing at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center, El Reno placed seventh or better in seven divisions, yet only a runner-up finish by Jacob Richey garnered the hardware.

Richey, playing No.2 singles, had a quarterfinal bye before defeating Chisholm’s John Reed (7-5/4-6/10-8) in the semifinals. He would drop the title match to Elk City’s Ryker Coslow (6-2/6-1).

El Reno High School’s soccer teams, dormant for close to two weeks, jumped back into action last week with a road split against the Noble Bears.

The El Reno boys move to 3-0 on the year with a season-high five goals in a shutout win over the Bears.

Jose Apracio logged two goals and an assist, while Angel Zarate scored twice and Philip Oakes added a goal.

Diego Reyes, Demarco Guzman and Tristan Chandler had an assist each.

Aldo De La Torre was in net for El Reno and made five saves.

El Reno High School’s girls golf team kicked off the 2026 season last week with a top 10 finish at the Putnam City North Invitational.

Playing the West Course at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City, El Reno posted a team score of 403 to take eighth place.

The Indians edged out Yukon by a shot and Piedmont’s junior varsity by 32 shots to close out the top 10.

Sophomore Radley Miller led El Reno with a round of 92 (48-44) to place 17th in the individual medalist race.

Lily Elliott’s 97 (48-49) netted her a 31st spot, while Addysen Ashford carded a 99 (49-50) for 35th.