December 2023

Editor’s Note: Like every new year, 2023 provided fresh opportunities, challenges and celebrations for many. Others may not view the happenings of the year, now in the rearview mirror, as opportunities, but rather distractions, obstacles and sadly, heartache.

This is our annual look back at the year that was and some of the stories that made headlines. So we say welcome to 2024 and as the song by Robert Earl Keen says … the road goes on forever and the party never ends.

January

A Canadian County judge has ordered a defendant to be held without bail in an El Reno murder case.

Norman’s Delsin Joshua Tsotigh, 21, is housed in the Canadian County Jail after being charged Nov. 9 in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder – deliberate intent.

Tsotigh allegedly shot to death a Newcastle man in late October at a home in the 600 block of Reformatory Road. Justin Peyton Davidson, 20, died after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

Ella McReynolds of El Reno is among 13 Oklahoma State University undergraduate students selected as Niblack Research Scholars for the 2023-24 school year, earning an $8,000 scholarship and the opportunity to conduct research with faculty across campus.

McReynolds is majoring in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics.

The Niblack Research Scholars Program has been a key part of OSU’s undergraduate research success for 18 years. The program allows these students to perform cutting-edge research in various fields under faculty mentors supervision.

Gary Lynn Rickner peacefully passed away Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, in the comfort of his home in Oklahoma City.

He was born the youngest son to James and Vonda Rickner on June 6, 1947.

Gary is survived by his wife, Nanette; daughter, Nicole Sloat and husband, Bradley; daughter, Holly Howard and husband, Christopher; and six grandchildren. He also leaves behind relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held at Huber-Benson Funeral Home on Tuesday, Jan. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., with funeral services set for 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, El Reno.

Former Kingfisher and Canadian County prosecutor Eric Epplin will return to District 4 on Jan. 2, as incoming District Attorney Tommy Humphries’ first assistant DA, Humphries said.        

“I am excited to return home to District 4,” Epplin said. “Tommy Humphries is going to be an outstanding district attorney and I am honored that he has invited me back.”   

On Dec. 19, Colorado’s Supreme Court deemed former president Donald Trump ineligible to appear on the state’s 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot.

In a 4-3 ruling, the court held that Trump had engaged in “insurrection” and was therefore disqualified from returning to the presidency per the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause.

Most opinion and analysis on this ruling (and other similar cases working their way through other states court systems) revolves around particular questions:

Was the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot an insurrection?

Allen Donnell Graybill, 81, of El Reno, was born Oct. 25, 1942, in Elk City. He is the son of Otha Allen and Reta Dwendlyn (Weir) Graybill. He went to walk the golden streets of heaven on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City, surrounded by his loving family.

Allen graduated from Leedey High School with the Class of 1960. He then continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, where he received his bachelor’s degree and graduated in 1965.

Graveside services for Myrl McBride were held Thursday at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, under the direction of Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home in Minco.

Myrl passed away Dec. 22, 2023, at his home in Oklahoma City. He was born Oct. 8, 1935, in Tuttle. He was an Army veteran and worked for the Oklahoma Publishing Company until retirement in 1998.

Myrl is survived by his daughters, Tammy Bush and Julie Manuel and Amy Williams; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.