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Pictured are Hillcrest Learning Center’s kindergarten October Responsibility Awards, back row from left, Abril Avalos, JR Chavez, Alethea Littlebear, Marlee Collins, Jade Ortiz, Elena Ballew, Erin Hunt, Davina Kubica, Symphany Scott, Avery Baughman, Lexlyn Milburn, Layla Mendez, Sebastian Mora Garcia, Ryan Wallace and Zander Jones; front row, Lucas Keeler, Ellie Wells, Parker Cooksey, Jailene Naranjo, Sarahy Gallegos, Gentry Wilson, Everly Garcia, Isaiah Avila, Sawyer Webster and Luna Spruill.

For three consecutive years, Okarche High School’s yearbook staff has been awarded the gold level of the National Yearbook Program of Excellence. The yearbook program placed at the gold level in 2020, 2022 and 2023, and placed at the bronze level in 2021. 

Over the first weekend of November, the Okarche speech team attended the OSSAA 4A State One-Act Competition in Choctaw after taking second at regional competition.

The state competition was composed of the top nine 4A one-acts in the state. Okarche speech earned sixth place with its play titled “Tracks.” 

MUNICIPAL COURT

Terri Jean Fletcher, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Cristy Marie Ford, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Joni Simone Curtis, El Reno, failure to stop at stop sign, $165.

Jacob Randall Taylor, Healdton, speeding, $245.

Brooke Anne Sanchez, Rialto, Calif., failure to wear seat restraint, $20.

Evan Garrett Riddle, El Reno, speeding, $175.

Kevin Theodore McMillan, El Reno, operating ATV without permit and operating vehicle in restricted area, $390.

Eliaz Limpy, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

After months of research, fundraising, construction and preparation, Memorial Stadium’s updated Gold Star Plaza was unveiled to applause, tears and gratitude. 

The three new monuments are dedicated to those from El Reno who lost their lives in either World War I, Korea or Vietnam. The 61 added veterans, including 18 more names related to service in World War II, join the original 44 WWII vets first honored in 2019.

Brian Rukes said he knew the minute the original WWII Gold Star Plaza was dedicated, the journey was not over. 

World War I Monument

Pvt. Grover Benjamin Bannister, U.S. Army

Pvt. Frank Welker Coit, U.S. Army

PFC Dick Dulaney, U.S. Army Med. Corps

Appr. Seaman Sidney McKillop Empey, USNR

1st Sgt. Clyde Osborne Hoffman, U.S. Army

S2c Ulysses Simpson Houser, U.S. Navy

Pfc. Ernest Moore, U.S. Army

Sgt. Michael Hugh O’Connor, U.S. Army

Pvt. Charles A. Penwright, USMC

PFC James Lincoln Reynolds, U.S. Army

Cpl. Stephen Robert “Bob” Shaw, U.S. Army

Pvt. Laurence L. Sheckler, U.S. Army

2nd Lt. Billy Jack Evans
U.S. Army Air Forces
Born June 11, 1922. Died May 16, 1943

Note: One of the 44 young men we are honoring had ties to the former Evans Cleaners in downtown El Reno. He worked there, and his father started the business.

Tech. Sgt. James Alfred Hinds (Class of 1938)
U.S. Army Air Forces
Born June 14, 1918. Died June 28, 1943 (Wyoming)

Served as an engineer/top turret gunner on a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bomber.