Facing a tough schedule is nothing new to El Reno High School’s boys basketball program, but even veteran skipper Rodney Haydon shakes his head in disbelief at the path ahead.

“I’ve been trying to tell people that the schedule is ridiculous, but the kids are excited and the coaches are excited too. Looking at the schedule and who we will be matching up against in the tournaments, it will be tough.

“Yet, if we are as good as we think we are, this will help us get ready for the playoffs,” said Haydon.

As the calendar turned to May, the mood remained somber. Politicians and citizens argued over the need for masks to protect against the spread of COVID, while long-held traditions were put on hold as gathering in public was off limits.

In El Reno, that meant no Burger Day and for a while, it looked like no high school graduation. And yet, some still found reason to celebrate, although with dire economic times, those moments were far fewer than normal.

May

Family and the city of Yukon are celebrating the birthday of Maxine Hubbs Brockhaus. Brockhaus turned 100 years of age Dec. 27.

She was scheduled to receive a commemorative plaque from city hall.

Brockhaus was born in El Reno Dec. 27, 1920. She graduated high school there in 1939, and shortly after married Lawrence Brockhaus of Yukon. They continued living in El Reno until the 1960s.

Family members added that Brockhaus also graduated with a two-year degree at a business college.

A judge is expected to sentence a semi-truck driver to at least 10 years in prison after the defendant pleaded guilty in court for causing a crash that killed a Yukon businessman.

Wynnewood’s Donald Garrett Biffle, 27, has waived his right to a jury trial in Canadian County District Court. The defendant faces felony charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.