According to the American Lung Association, Oklahoma ranks last of all surveyed states for the chances of surviving lung cancer after getting a late diagnosis.
Samid Farooqui, MD, a pulmonologist who sees patients at the SSM Health Medical Group Clinic in El Reno, believes one reason for Oklahoma’s poor statistics is lack of access to quality screenings and expedited care.
MUNICIPAL COURT
Jessica Annette Mitchell, Del City, expired tag, $130.
Jayda Nicole Cook, Union City, failure to wear seat restraint, $20.
Kelli Dawn Henrickson, El Reno, driving with license expired, $252.
Hannah Nichole Denny, El Reno, speeding, $175.
Nelia Dominguez, Conway, Ark., failure to stop at signal, $165.
Aaron Michael Heinen, Yukon, failure to stop at stop sign, $165.
Wayne Lee Bomhoff, Calumet, failure to wear seat restraint, $20.
Maxwell Tucker Vrana, Oklahoma City, speeding, $175.
Editor’s note: Brian Rukes is an El Reno High School AP English teacher and serves as District Historian.
Several weeks ago he asked his students to reflect on what they have learned about the Oklahoma City bombing. None of the teens were alive when the terrorist attack took place April 19, 1995, killing 168 people and injuring many more.
The El Reno Tribune’s 2025 State of the School section contains the following content:
Working toward the best of the class
Pride of El Reno marching band taking group, individual honors
The El Reno Fire Department was one of the responding emergency units to the Oklahoma City bombing shortly after the blast on April 19, 1995.
Ron Martin was El Reno Fire Chief at the time. Kent Lagaly, who followed Martin as chief, said the department had 18 members at the time.
Lagaly said the El Reno firefighters would leave for Oklahoma City around 10 in the morning and return home the next day around 8 a.m.
This went on for an extended period.
I remember this day like it was yesterday.
Today, Jack Stewart represents parts of eastern Canadian County as a member of the Oklahoma State Senate.
Thirty years ago, Stewart was an engineer at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and had many occasions to be at the Murrah Federal Building – including early mornings.
The 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing is April 19.
“April 19, 1995, brings back vivid memories and tremendous sadness at the senseless loss of life of the 168 souls that perished in an instant that day,” Stewart said.
Creating a winning culture takes time, dedication, and everyone from the administration down to the student walking the hallways taking pride in their school and the product it turns out.
“Everyone has to be pulling on the rope in the same direction and we have that here in El Reno.
“If you don’t have an administration, a school board, principals, teachers, coaches and students all wanting the same thing, you will never have that culture,” said El Reno Athletic Director Rodney Haydon.
The Pride of El Reno, under the guidance of director Shane Johnston and assistant director Ardy Ferrell Jr., have had a busy year with both marching season, sporting events and individual competition.
The full band marched and played at all home games during the 2024 football season and played in the stands during away games – rain or shine.
The band also performed during homecoming, Veterans Day, Christmas and state champion basketball parades. A spirit band played the majority of home basketball games.
Former El Reno Mayor Matt White has been appointed to serve on the board of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton appointed White.
He attended his first board meeting in February.
Paxton said White brings extensive experience in public service and community development to the board. He served as the mayor of El Reno for 15 years, where he led numerous capital improvement projects and fostered partnerships among various levels of government and the private sector.
