News

Workers from Dill Electric were up in the air this week, replacing lights at Joe Riley Field in Legion Park.

Chase Warren and John Thompson spent several hours on the project.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has seen a 106 percent spike in the number of work zone fatalities, Oklahoma’s transportation secretary said this week.  

Tim Gatz, who also serves as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation executive director, said in 2023, there were 33 work zone fatalities in Oklahoma, a 106 percent increase above the prior year.

A spokesperson for the agency said those are the most available figures.

TULSA – In a historic weekend for Oklahoma education and industry, Westmoore High School was crowned the first-ever Oklahoma High School State Aviation Champions.

The Jaguars secured the title at the event hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and FlightSafety International in Tulsa.

The championship held Feb. 20-21 at the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus brought together 12 finalist teams from across the state.

OKLAHOMA CITY – An annual tradition at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Bob Wills Day, will take place on Monday, March 9.

Bob Wills Day at the Capitol is presented through a partnership of the Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Historical Society, with support from the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP), Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) and National Endowment for the Arts.

An Arkansas man awaiting trial for charges that he killed his daughter’s accused sexual abuser has won the Republican nomination for county sheriff, in a race that’s garnered national attention.

Aaron Spencer won more than 53 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s three-person primary for Lonoke County sheriff. Spencer will face Democratic nominee Brian Mitchell Sr. this fall.

“Tonight, the people of Lonoke County stood up and chose transparency and accountability,” Spencer said in a release from his campaign.

LAWSUITS

M&T Bank vs. David Emert and Angela Emert for $78,940.91 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 2, Block 16, Bellflower Addition Section 3, Oklahoma City.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Vanderlei Do Prado for $45,314.34 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Bernard Fontaine for $13,178.92 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Though outshot by U.S. Grant, El Reno High School’s boys soccer team opened up the 2026 season with a 4-2 road win over the Generals in non-district action.

The Indians were outshot 17-15 by the Generals, who also had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

El Reno got two goals from Vicente Saldana Barbosa along with a penalty kick from Diego Reyes.

The Indians fourth goal came from Angel Zarate.

Saldana Barbosa led the team in shots with eight, five of those on frame, followed by Reyes with two along with Demarco Guzman, while Carlos Conteras added a shot.

Several dozen people turned out last week for the dedication of a mural honoring the service and sacrifice of Sgt. Thomas Duran. 

Duran, 41, and a 14-year veteran of the El Reno Police Department, was killed after being struck by a vehicle early on Oct. 17.

Duran was reportedly assisting a man in the area of Watts and Wilson when he was struck by a vehicle while standing outside his patrol cruiser. The vehicle left the scene.

Sgt. Duran would die Oct. 24 from the injuries he suffered.

Two people have been charged in connection with his death.

El Reno police said a stalled train Monday morning resulted in kids on their way to school crawling under it.  

Police Chief Ken Brown said no injuries were reported.  

El Reno’s Frank Knight Park is named for a man who was a beloved baseball coach but died tragically when he attempted to crawl between a train that had stalled momentarily.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers in a scenario such as what occurred Monday morning.

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes representatives came to Cardinal Point Family Justice Center to deliver new forensic exam equipment and supplies.

“This is a huge milestone for Canadian County,” Cardinal Point CEO Karla Docter said.

“Currently, we do not have dedicated Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) or Domestic Violence Nurse Exam (DVNE) programming to meet the needs of our community. The result is that victims would have to travel to another county, or do not reach out for support because they feel like people wouldn’t understand or be able to help them.”