Kathy Jo Bassett, 59, lifelong resident of El Reno, peacefully passed away Feb. 21, 2021.

She was born July 13, 1961, in Okarche to her parents, Joseph and Katherine (Allen) Klohn.

She was raised in El Reno and graduated from El Reno High School in 1979. After high school, she furthered her education at Redlands Community College, receiving her associates degree in Child Development.

A majority of her life Kathy was a homemaker, becoming a mom and raising her four children, who meant the world to her and loved dearly.

With limited or no running water in El Reno for over a week, commercial businesses that rely on the service had to take drastic measures until full pressure was restored.

National fast food chains along Country Club Road either closed their doors or scaled back product offerings.

McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Subway, Arby’s and Burger King were all closed on Feb. 23, one week after water service went dry.

Casey’s General Store temporarily shut down its fresh deli and pizza service, while Braum’s remained open, but did close one day.

Just one day after the state opened Stage 2 of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s vaccination plan for educators in grades kindergarten through 12th, El Reno Public Schools started the process of inoculating teachers.

Teachers and staff for both Roblyer and Lincoln Learning Centers, not already vaccinated through the state portal system, were given the first round of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The vaccinations were given at Roblyer Learning Center.

For the first time in its 23-year-history, Blessing Baskets will host a Spring Break Food Distribution for up to 250 families that may be struggling to put food on the table.

Blessings Baskets will partner with The Lord’s Harvest for the March 9 food giveaway. The food will be distributed at the El Reno Learning Center, 503 S. Keith, from 4 to 7 p.m. that day.

To be eligible, families need to sign up at the office of the Canadian County Community Action Agency, 203 N. Bickford.