Before 1950, producing Oklahoma wheat and peanut crops looked a little different from what it does now. Diseases, pests and yields were much more of a challenge for agricultural producers in the early 1900s, as farmers had few ways of obtaining new varieties with stronger genetics.

“I imagine wheat production would have been a game of ‘whatever you can get your hands on,’” said Brett Carver, Oklahoma State University wheat genetics chair and head wheat breeder.

WASHINGTON — The penny may be losing its shine in Washington, as a bipartisan-backed bill to end its production cleared a key House committee last week, with fiscal hawks and factory workers unexpectedly on the same coin.

Heads or tails, the penny’s days are numbered.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking at the Young Americas Foundation Conservative Student Conference last week, joined the drumbeat, saying he would be “killing” the penny in Philadelphia.  

MUNICIPAL COURT

Gavin Hitchcock, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.

Jerry Austin Willingham II, El Reno, failure to wear seat restraint, $20.

David Wayne Oliver, Jones, failure to stop at stop sign, $165.

Blake Collins Burt, El Reno, driving under suspension, $395.

Thomas Wayne Minson, Purcell, speeding, $175.

Carson Lawrence Jacobs, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Cameron Jay Russell, El Reno, expired tag and failure to appear warrant, $410.

Matthew Gordon Whitman, El Reno, failure to wear seat restraint and expired tag, $150.

Thomas Lucien Hamby passed away Aug. 9, 2025, at his home in El Reno. He was born June 27, 1939, in the Caddo Clinic to parents, Thomas Wilbur Hamby and Mary Jane (Schooling) Hamby. 

Tom graduated from El Reno High School in 1957. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1961 and a master’s degree in education from North Texas State University in 1963. 

While at El Reno High School, he lettered in football, basketball and tennis.