May 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation expanding Oklahoma’s Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit has become law, providing additional relief to families who care for loved ones at home.

Shirley passed away May 10, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Jan. 4, 1934, in Leavenworth, Kansas, to Walter and Alice Rowe. After graduating from El Reno High School in 1951, she married the love of her life, Bob Johnson, on June 16, 1951.

Their ceremony took place in the chapel at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois - a beginning to a lifelong partnership filled with love and devotion.

A recently released nationwide survey of economists shows the vast majority oppose a minimum-wage increase like that proposed in State Question 832 in Oklahoma.

A strong majority of economists warn that measures like SQ 832 will increase consumers cost of living, reduce youth jobs, harm small businesses, and fail to reduce poverty.

LAWSUITS

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Blair Olvera for $4,716.62 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

CKS Prime Investments LLC vs. Desirae Eaves for $2,329.57 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Anjanette Higgins for $7,370.91 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Laura McMillan for $5,991.67 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

On Saturday morning, more than 200 El Reno students will walk across the field at Memorial Stadium to become high school graduates as part of the Class of 2026.

Waiting patiently in the back rows to hear her name called out will be Mya Robles.

“I’ve chosen a traditional white outfit to wear,” said Robles.

However, the 18-year-old cannot help but wonder what could have become of this day if she had been wearing an outfit of a different color – say, a blue jersey with the words El Reno across the front.

“It would have been nice,” said Robles.

El Reno High School’s Kason Haydon (seated center) signed a letter of intent last week to play basketball for Southwestern Christian University out of Bethany.

Jonathan Shelley, along with teammates Mason Fulton and Preston Ashford will be playing Wednesday in the 2026 Western Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association’s Large School All-Star Game in Weatherford. First pitch is 4 p.m.

The Small School Game will follow at 7 p.m. Calumet’s Kingston Arnold, Jackson Burns and Kaleb Thiessen will play in that game.

On May 11, 2026, Porntip Kuykendall was taken to heaven by a band of angels. She was born in Udorn, Thailand, on March 8, 1947. 

Porntip worked for the Air Force for 25 years at different bases all over the United States.

She greatly enjoyed her flower garden and feeding the finches.

She and her husband, Ron traveled all over the United States and enjoyed visiting the National Monuments. 

Porntip is survived by her husband, Ron Kennedy of the home; daughter, Kimberly Kuykendall of California; and her first husband, Gary Wayne Kuykendall of Chickasha.

Matt Sandidge is resigning his position as El Reno city manager. 

Sandidge told members of the city council and city department heads.  

Sandidge called his decision “bittersweet.”  

He said he has accepted a position in the private sector.  

Sandidge said his last day as El Reno city manager will be before the end of June.

He will be issuing a formal statement.

A week ago, a fellow named John from Yukon received a telephone call from a guy saying he was with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.

The caller, actually there were two, said he needed to follow instructions if he wanted to bail his stepdaughter out of jail. The woman had indeed been arrested and was booked into the Canadian County Jail for a motor vehicle violation involving alcohol. 

The arrest was legitimate, the call was a hoax. 

So, John’s question is, how did the fake sheriff’s office employees know about his stepdaughter’s situation?