March 2020

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Mobile Meals stalled by virus

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El Reno Mobile Meals, which serves more than 150 elderly clients with daily meal service, will be closing its doors temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are temporarily closing due to the coronavirus and as soon as we can get back to being around each other and be safe, we will go back to daily deliveries to the full 160 people on our list,” said El Reno Mobile Meals Director Christina Ramsey.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that adults ages 65 and older are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

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Restaurant partners with El Reno churches in effort to feed families, individuals

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Some churches within the El Reno Ministerial Alliance are partnering with a restaurant in an effort to help feed individuals and families that are struggling from the impact of COVID-19.

Rev. Allen Carson of Wesley United Methodist Church serves as chairman of the Alliance. He said Primo’s will provide fresh cooked food to El Reno and area residents on Saturdays.

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Ministerial Alliance works to help those impacted, but funds limited by closings

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If you’re in trouble, the Ministerial Alliance is here to help.

For years, the various churches in the group have coordinated charity efforts in the community, connecting the needy with appropriate organizations. But with the advent of COVID-19, the team is facing a humanitarian crisis unlike any they’ve faced before.

With businesses shutting down, employees laid off and citizens staying home, the money usually collected by the Alliance is now a little harder to come by.

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RCC donates to fight against COVID-19

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Since classes have moved to an online format for the remainder of the spring semester and students will not be utilizing the labs, Redlands Community College shared some of its resources with local health-care providers. The college gathered gloves, masks, wipes and safety glasses and delivered them to SSM Health St. Anthony El Reno and Healthcare One Urgent Care and Family Practice.

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Local Hot Spots

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In these times of confusion and uncertainty, there’s nothing like a fresh meal to bring you back to normalcy.

Swadley’s offers takeout, drive-thru and curbside service.

Get a rib basket for $10.99 - two ribs and fries (no substitutions).

Or grab a loaded spud for $9.79 - your choice of meat, butter, sour cream and cheese.

Order at the drive-thru, by phone at 405-295-6566 or online at swadleys.com.

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Folklore says lack of budding oak trees foretells freeze, frost still in our near future

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The leaves of the mighty oak have not yet begun to bud and so we may perhaps have another frost or freeze.

Folklore foretells that once the leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear, we will have no more freezes … however, this week it certainly feels like full-blown spring.

The fabulous redbud, the state tree of Oklahoma, has begun to bloom and her lovely lavender and fuchsia flowers fill the woods with a haze of delicate color.

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Shopping for food safely during virus pandemic

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Stocking up on essential groceries and other supplies as the COVID-19 virus threat spreads across the country will require consumers to rely on their storm season preparedness skills, but for a longer period of time.

Undoubtedly, many Oklahomans have made the trek to the grocery store to get supplies, which is a good idea, said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Extension food specialist.

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Clinton’s Indian Health Clinic taking extra virus precautions

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CLINTON - The Indian Health Service Clinton Service Unit (CSU) is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of patients and staff during the national emergency of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

“CSU’s three outpatient clinical facilities of Clinton, El Reno and Watonga Indian Health Centers follow guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect patients and staff from potential exposure to COVID-19,” said Joe Bryant, CSU chief executive officer.