Okarche fifth-graders, from left, Lauren and Taylin Schwarz and Tinley Running all wore matching outfits to cheer on Okarche High School’s basketball teams last week in the regional round of the Class A playoffs.
The Warriors split the playoff games, with the girls losing to Oklahoma Bible Academy and the boys defeating Hominy.
James Kee John was sentenced last week by a Canadian County judge for nine counts of rape and lewd acts with a child after entering a plea of no contest.
After hearing the facts of the case, which revealed a years-long pattern of physical, sexual and psychological abuse by John, as well as a victim impact statement, Special Judge David Halley followed the state’s request and sentenced the defendant to 40 years incarceration, with the remainder of his life on probation.
The victims were 10 and 12 when the abuse started.
El Reno Police Department placed ninth among Oklahoma City Metroplex law enforcement-related teams in the annual Polar Plunge fundraising challenge for Oklahoma Special Olympics.
The eight-member team raised $3,246 - part of more than $34,500 collected by the top nine teams.
Yukon Police Department’s eight-member squad was second overall with $4,990 raised.
There were 43 teams in the Oklahoma City event, with members taking the plunge into chilly waters at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor OKC.
Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 29 for voters in Canadian County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at their county election board.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said early voting is open to all voters.
Sample ballots are now available for the March 5 election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the State Election Board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Canadian County Election Board during normal business hours.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said sample ballots are specific to each person.
LAWSUITS
Freedom Mortgage Corporation vs. Isabel Garcia and Mario Garcia for $174,073.40 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lots 9 and 10, Block 3, Jensen’s Addition, El Reno.
Arvest Bank vs. Dakotah Henderson for $34,843.25 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
U.S. Bank N.A. vs. Delvon Colbert for $10,369.73 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Discover Bank vs. David Jackson for $10,551.80 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Damrosch Ladies Music Club will be performing Wednesday, Feb. 21 beginning at 10 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church.
All are invited to come enjoy an hour of local talent and stay for refreshments afterward.
By switching the state’s largest two classifications to district play for the 2023-24 basketball season, the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association eliminated traditional drama around the East/West split and final seeding rankings.
“You already know where you are headed,” said El Reno head coach Rodney Haydon.
Based off district play results after 13 games, El Reno went into last week’s regular-season finale with Shawnee with a solid notion of the paths to state for both the boys and girls teams.
