March 2026

The future of historic Route 66 west of El Reno was discussed when a couple dozen people gathered to learn about planned improvements to a local stretch of the Mother Road. 

Gathered in the El Reno High School auditorium were local leaders focused on the plans for the road between Fort Reno and the William H. Murray “Pony” Bridge. 

The gathering was coordinated by Canadian County District 3 Commissioner Tracey Rider and provided an opportunity for local leaders to hear the county’s plans for an approximately 13-mile stretch of 100-year-old road. 

The Canadian County OSU Extension Office will offer a Wheat Production and Marketing meeting on Wednesday, March 25.

The program will be held at the Education Building, 220 N. Country Club Road. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Ag Coffee Connections, with the first speaker kicking off at 9 a.m.

Raedan Sharry, West District agronomist, will be the first speaker as he presents a multi-crop fertility program for making soil fertility decisions.   

Lamplighters OHCE of Canadian County met recently at Mount Zion Global Methodist Church. Carol Stine opened the meeting, while Donna Wehmuller read a devotional titled “Being Polite.”

Maxine Little read minutes from the previous meeting, with Patricia Morrison giving the treasury report. 

Morrison’s birthday was also celebrated.

Wehmuller presented all members a framed Easter picture she had created to celebrate the season.

The Oklahoma congressional delegation’s wealth lies not so much in stocks and bonds as it does in real estate and personal business interests that range from consulting firms to agriculture to McDonald’s franchises.

A NOTUS analysis of the Oklahoma delegation’s most recent annual financial disclosures reveals key details about how the state’s seven lawmakers manage their personal finances while serving the public.

Many of these lawmakers entered office with millions and remain significantly wealthier than most of their constituents.

OKLAHOMA CITY — In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma History Center, the public is invited to a unique architectural tour of the building on Thursday, April 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The tour will highlight aspects of the creative process and design. Each element of the building was crafted with purpose, and this program offers visitors a chance to see the details and fun facts up close.

Cities and states are filing lawsuits and scrambling for alternative sources of money as the Trump administration seeks to shut off the federal funding spigot for biking and walking trails.

STILLWATER — The Dietary Guidelines for Americans have provided nutritional guidance since 1980.

The latest guidelines continue to provide the public with research-based information to help people of all ages make healthier food and beverage choices.

In a new twist, El Reno High School’s baseball program took spring break off from competition instead of hosting games in the annual Union City Festival as it’s done for more than five years.

El Reno went into the break on a positive note after run-ruling Lawton Eisenhower 14-2 at the Hub Reed Complex to move to 2-5 on the season.

That win came less than 24 hours after dropping a 10-9 road game at Clinton.

El Reno High School’s tennis teams posted their first top 10 finishes of the season at the 2026 Lone Wolf Classic played at the Earlywine Complex.

The El Reno boys took third place behind Westmoore and Chisholm. The girls were fifth behind Chickasha, Westmoore, Chisholm and Weatherford.

Sergio Rosas paced the boys with a runner-up finish at No.2 singles.

He defeated Chisholm’s Houston Moore and John Marshall’s Tyler Moore in duplicate 8-1 pro-set matches.

Many matches were pro-sets due to the wind.

Services for Gary Leon Hartley will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 23 at Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Red Rock Cemetery in Calumet.  

Mr. Hartley died March 16, 2026, at his home in Traskwood, Arkansas.