April 2026

Route 66 El Reno Bowl rolled into the Mother Road Centennial celebration with a new mural paying tribute to El Reno. 

Owner David Dunn said the massive mural was created by Oklahoma artist Grant Stacy. 

“We saw what was happening with the mural at The Filling Station and some of the others and wanted to be a part of it,” said Dunn. 

He credited the City of El Reno with helping to push the project forward, providing support for a successful grant application. 

A ribbon-cutting was hosted last week by the Chamber of Commerce. 

Former El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay officially filed as a candidate for Oklahoma Superintendent of Education.

McVay filed in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, the first day of the three-day filing period.

McVay is running as a Democrat.

State Question 832 proposes to raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029, while tying annual increases to the cost of living in expensive urban areas such as San Francisco and New York City. These sorts of proposals have been tried in other states with disastrous results for young workers and small businesses.  

Robert Emerson Lee, 77, passed away peacefully March 31, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 19, 1949, in Fairfield, Illinois, to Ray and June Lee.

Bob proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, where he developed a lifelong sense of discipline, honor and commitment. His time in the Marines was among his proudest accomplishments, and he carried the values he learned there throughout his life.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Measures to dramatically change the selection of Oklahoma’s state superintendent and top school board have advanced past the state House.

House Joint Resolution 1055, which passed 63-33, would call a vote of the people to amend the state constitution to make the superintendent an appointed rather than elected position.

Hillcrest kindergarten February Self-Discipline Award winners are Sammy Ortiz, Dayana Jaramillo, Oaklynn Hadley, Nevaeh Colbert, Romina Reyes, Eli Murray, Layla Schones, Timberlynn Agee, Alice Anderson, Amani Waters, Andrea Lozano and Sawyer Jellison.

Also included are, Lanee Culver, Alayna Stewart, Nayeli Gutierrez-Gonzalez, Jarvis Bustamante Scroggins, River McLearen, Braxton Schuldt, Aaliyah Grisham, Karsyn Brown, Everly Norman, Kora Clouse and Journi Allen.

Hillcrest pre-kindergarten February Self-Discipline Award winners are  Ximena De Paz, Yaneisy Arellano, Wisdom Harris, AnneJune Western, Bennett Moores, Roarke Watson, Eleanor Woods, Gatlin Vierra, Ryder Candyfire, Calliope Johnson, Allen Mendoza, Winrey Rosberg and Gianna Woolfolk.

Riverside March Citizens of the Month, front row from left, Lincoln Rinehart, Marleigh Foster, Angel Fuller, Valentina Garcia, Gabby Maggard and Dwight Carter; back row, Adan Velasco, Julian Trujillo, Lynleigh McClendon, Samson Baker, Samir Baker, Crew Wooten and Raeya Lloyd. Not pictured: Jewel Hensley, Deon Racelis and Brinley Sears.

Maple February Students of the Month, front from left, Kash Kubicek, kindergarten, and Bryson Bollinger, prekindergarten; middle row, Addison Holden, third grade, Carsyn McLemore, first grade, Every Stiles, second grade, and Meah Brown, fourth grade; back row, Serenity Jones, fifth grade, Paylynn Smith, seventh grade, Audrey Eisenhour, eighth grade, Cale Wedman, sixth grade.

Funeral services for Ronnie Larry White of Hinton will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 6 at the Hinton Turner Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Hinton Cemetery. 

Ronnie passed away March 29, 2026, in Oklahoma City. He was born Oct. 3, 1955, in Clinton, and was raised in Hinton.

He had been employed as a mechanic in the oil field industry.