William Michael (Mike) Thompson passed away at the age of 72 on March 28, 2025, at River Oaks in El Reno. He was born in Okarche on Oct. 1, 1952, to William Sidney Thompson Jr. and Florine (Hanks) Thompson.

Mike attended Lincoln Elementary and Etta Dale Junior High and graduated from El Reno High School in 1971. He attended El Reno Junior College, now Redlands, and completed two years.

Betty Mack Wolfe Smith, 98, passed away peacefully March 31, 2025, in Bethany. She was born in Corsicana, Texas, in 1926 to parents, WM. M. Wolfe and Georgia Bishop.

Betty dedicated her life to caring for those around her, including time as a teacher.

But her pride and joy was making her home a welcoming place for family and friends to make memories together.

The new owners of the building that housed El Reno’s VFW Post 382 said there are no definite plans for the structure, but the historic airplane that greets motorists on Route 66 will remain in place. 

Tina Base and her husband, Darren, recently purchased the property.

Nancy Salsman, longtime VFW supporter and former president of the organization’s Auxiliary, said the sale was necessary after the Internal Revenue Service threatened to seize the property. 

Jake Vulgamore has spent the majority of his teenage years showing various animals across the state of Oklahoma in the intense world of junior livestock shows.

In fact, he can’t recall a time when he was not in a show ring without a sheep or a swine breed. Nor could he picture not having that opportunity.

“I can't imagine that,” said Vulgamore.