In This Issue
Edmond non-profits make funding requests See page 9
Lawmakers laud SF Marching Band
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
Mostly Cloudy High 80° Low 56°
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
Rain/Thunder High 66° Low 56°
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Showers
70° Low 50°
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, recently welcomed members of the Edmond Santa Fe High School Marching Band to the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Thursday in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments, both in Oklahoma and on the national and international stages.
During the presentation on the House floor, six student leaders were honored for their exceptional achievements:
Kayla Barnes, flute, drum major
Marleigh McNeill, clarinet, drum major
Riley McGrath, saxophone, drum major
Skylar Tate, oboe
Freddie Rodriguez, percussion
Madison Stacy, tuba
The Edmond Santa Fe Wolves Marching Band recently made state history by becoming the first band from Central Oklahoma to win the Bands of America Regional Championship, a prestigious national-level honor. In 2024 alone, the band collected nine trophies, including the Regional Grand Championship in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The band is also a two-time defending Oklahoma
6A State Champion in Jazz Band (2023–2024) and a three-time Grand Champion at the Mustang Marching Invitational (2021–2023). The band has performed internationally, having marched in the London New Year’s Day Parade on seven occasions.
Harris commended the students and the staff for their dedication to their craft.
“These students exemplify what it means to be disciplined and passionate in their pursuit of excellence,” Harris said. “Their accomplishments not only reflect their hard work, but also the outstanding leadership of their directors and the unwavering support from their families and community. I was honored to celebrate them at our State Capitol.”
The Edmond Santa Fe Wolves Marching Band is led by:
Dane Romano, Director of Bands
Victor Djonorh, Associate Director
Tony Romano, Associate Director
Andy Heitz, Associate Director
Milik Coffer, Associate Director
Madeline Romano, Colorguard
Cara Calhoun, Colorguard
Alie Wehmuller, Colorguard
PHOTO PROVIDED
Rep. Erick Harris (front left) with members and directors of the Edmond Santa Fe High School Marching Band at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
The size of an event is often measured by knowing exactly where you were and what you were doing on the day and the exact time that the event happened. It can be one of joy or one of tragedy. It can be an event that affects a few people or one that affects millions of people. April 19, 1995, is a day that falls into the category of tragedy and one that affected millions.
The number of tragic events that have happened since that day do not lessen its effect on so many of us, especially those that were here when it happened. It also affected more than the folks from Oklahoma City and the state. It affected people all over the world. I can remember being on the French island of Corsica in 2002 with a group of travelers from Oklahoma. When the guide found out where we were from his eyes were full of tears and he hugged each one of us. He said, “We were with you that day, April 19th, and prayed for you.
The job I had at the time took me traveling all over the country. For over a year no matter where I traveled folks that found out I was from Oklahoma City wanted to know all about that day and what I was doing. They also wanted to know about Oklahoma. Our reputation for our reaction had become known as the Oklahoma Standard and they wanted to know all about how we “did that.”
I was always perplexed by that question. I had to find ways to explain that we were just doing the right thing without sounding superior. It just did not occur to us in Oklahoma that our actions were unusual. There was no special class in school for us in Oklahoma. I guess most places in this country would have had a problem with looters or taking care of our own, but we did not think it was necessary to give it a name. It is just how we were raised.
In 1995 we did not have folks migrating into Oklahoma City. In fact, we had a problem with folks leaving for better opportunities so the folks that were here reacting to this tragic event were mostly Oklahomans and it surprised us that our actions would be hailed as anything special.
There will always be respect and love for the communities from other parts of the world that came to help in the days that followed. This is especially true of the New York City Fire Department and their rescue teams. They worked side by side with the local rescue teams. They came to help but also morn with us. These giant, strong teams were weeping with this community and when it came time after 911 to payback these brave New Yorkers, Oklahoma firefighters and rescue teams were anxious to return the favor.
April 19th was a beautiful day in 1995. I was working at my dream job at the Oklahoma Press Association, and it was a stretch of time that I had no traveling so I got to do my favorite thing and that is talk to and help newspapers in Oklahoma. Most of the newspapers were family owned, and I knew them all well. Newspaper folks were truly a second family.
You might remember the C.R. Anthony company. They were all over several states and sold
From the Publisher
quality but affordable clothing for us working folks. Great family and store. Our Oklahoma Press Service was a placement service for the company, booking ads in newspapers all over the country wherever Anthony’s had stores. Most were in small towns.
Part of my job was to be at their headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City each weekday to pick up the ads to be placed. It was a longer process back then. I picked up layouts and art. Our team at the OPS had to build the ad, get it proofed, approved, insert orders printed and the paper version of the ad shipped to the papers. Back then, nothing moved electronically. Sometimes the deadlines were so tight we had to overnight them to the newspapers to make their deadline. Anthony’s corporate office opened at 9:00 a.m. so that is why I tried to be there as soon as they opened so that I could rush the advertising materials back to the team.
It was less than 10 minutes from our office and so at 10 minutes before 9 I started to get up from my chair when my speaker came on that said Jack from The Edmond Sun is on the line for you. I thought about declining the call, weighing my duty to the staff to get that ad in the process and my duty to the member newspapers. I chose to take the call knowing it was Jack probably with one of his long but funny stories.
I was correct. Jack started in on one of his long-winded stories. We laughed and talked until about nine when we both heard a giant boom. The walls in my office were glass and they literally bowed. I still cannot believe they snapped back into shape. Jack was up in Edmond and said, “What the hell was that.” He had felt and heard the blast as well. I told him I did not know but we had better get off the phone and find out. My boss, Ben Blackstock, came running downstairs white as a sheet wanted to know what had happened. I did not get scared until I saw the look in Ben’s eyes. He was a WWII combat veteran who served in the Pacific theater so if he was shaken, I knew it was time to panic.
As the morning unfolded with all the speculation and then the reality of the federal building
--- New superintendent named for Edmond Schools........................Page 4. --- Police report................................................................................Page 6.
--- Calendar of weekend events......................................................Page 6.
--- Columnist looks at the tension of traffic stops..........................Page 10.
--- Elaine Warner’s trip to Texas....................................................Page 11.
--- Crossword puzzle......................................................................Page 14.
--- George Gust’s review of ‘King of Kings’....................................Page 14.
---- Business....................................................................................Page 17.
---- Church directory ......................................................................Page 19. This, and so much more, in this week’s edition
blowing up it occurred to me that I had missed death or severe injury by a phone call. I would have been parked on the street across from the federal building or walking to the front door of the C.R. Anthony building just as the bomb went off. Many of the staff there were injured from flying glass. I cannot imagine how serious it would have been if I were outside and not protected inside when the blast hit. My friend Jack literally saved me.
Others have similar stories and there were so many killed and insured it makes my story seem minor, but it is still a day I will never forget as we recognize the 30th year since the worst home-grown terrorist attack in this country. Something like that could never happen in Oklahoma, could it? Until that day I would have said no and believed that we were safe and secure here in Oklahoma. Who would want to bomb us? Our world had changed in an instant.
For weeks after the bombing, we were in a daze. People were driving around in silence. You would be at a stoplight and look over that the person next to you.
They would have the same blank stare you had. I can remember thinking for weeks that we would never recover from this in our town and that life would never be the same.
We not only recovered but prospered with a determination that I had not seen in Oklahoma before. We were no longer satisfied with being “OK.” We were going to be great thanks to so many fantastic leaders. The gates of hell opened that day for a fleeting period but Oklahoma, with blessings from God, beat the devil back and showed him what we were made of.
Our activities remembering April 19th are not for celebrating our victory from that day forward. It is for the ones we lost, were injured and their families. Their lives changed forever, and I hope you will join us that were here that day to remember those folks and offer prayer for those truly impacted by April 19, 1995.
(Ray Hibbard, publisher of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at ray@edmondpaper.com)
Ray Hibbard
New EPS leader named Josh Delich the 23rd superintendent
The Edmond Board of Education is excited to announce Dr. Josh Delich as the 23rd Superintendent of Edmond Public Schools. He was selected following a nationwide search for the district’s next leader, and was approved unanimously during a Special Board Meeting Monday morning.
Dr. Delich brings 21 years as an educator. He joins EPS from Minnesota where he has held leadership roles with that state’s two largest public school districts for the past six years. He has also been a high school and middle school principal, classroom teacher, lead content teacher and coach. Dr. Delich was born in Columbia and grew up in Minnesota. He is a graduate of Concordia University, earned his Masters in Education summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Arlington and his Ph. D. magna cum laude from the University of North Texas.
be chosen as the 23rd Superintendent of Edmond Public Schools. I am truly honored and humbled to serve a district with such a rich tradition of excellence, and my family and I are thrilled to call Edmond our new home. Throughout my career, one thing has remained constant: my commitment to listening, building trust, fostering collaboration, and inspiring others. I believe that when schools, families, and communities work together, incredible things happen for our students.”
Dr. Delich will spend the next several weeks transitioning to Edmond, spending several days and weeks in our community.
Introducing Dr. Josh Delich
23rd Superintendent of Edmond Public Schools
21 years of education experience
He began his career as an educator in Texas, teaching sixth through eighth grades and serving as a lead content teacher. Dr. Delich then moved into administrative roles in both Texas and Minnesota. Most recently, he has been an Associate Superintendent in Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools, Minnesota’s largest public school district, with 38,000 students. He was also Assistant Superintendent at St. Paul Public Schools, Minnesota’s second largest district with 33,000 students.
Dr. Delich and his wife Desirae have three daughters, who are all very excited to be relocating to Oklahoma and becoming EPS students.
Board of Education President Courtney Hobgood said “Dr. Delich brings a passion for continuing the forward progress in Edmond, building on our history of success and looks forward to leading our district into the future. We are confident as you get to know Dr. Delich, you will find him to be the collaborative, thoughtful and humble leader who we selected.
New EPS Superintendent Dr. Josh Delich said, “It is with deep gratitude and immense excitement to
Classroom teacher in 6th through 8th grade
Lead content teacher
Coach
Middle and High School Principal
District Administrator
Associate Superintendent of Anoka-Hennepin Public Schools (Minnesota’s largest; 38,000 students)
Assistant Superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools (Minnesota’s second largest; 33,000 students)
Born in Bogotá, Colombia
Adopted at a young age and raised in Minnesota
Married to Desirae; together they have three daughters who will attend EPS schools next school year
B.A. from Concordia University
M. Ed. from University of Texas at Arlington, summa cum laude
Ph. D. from University of North Texas, magna cum laude
Dr. Josh Delich
Billye Putnam presented Mike Doyle with the 50/50 prize at Gamma Zeta’s bunco fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Dave Petty won a $50.00 gift certificate for having the most bunco wins at the Gamma Zeta fundraiser.
For rolling most buncos, Sue Rath was presented with a $50.00 gift certificate.
ESA holds bunco benefit
Epsilon Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Zeta chapter held its annual bunco fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital recently.
The event was a great success with over 80 participants who enjoyed delicious snacks and wonderful prizes.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha has supported St. Jude since 1972 when founder Danny Thomas asked the organization to help with fundraising. ESA adopting St. Jude as its international philanthropic project established a strong bond between the organizations.
ESA has raised over $380 million for St. Jude since 1972. Significant ESA fundraising efforts have contributed to St. Jude through numerous volunteer and fundraising events, ensuring families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
A St. Jude space in the Patient Care Plaza was dedicated to ESA for their years of support. Come join in the fun with this active chapter. Contact Jacci Gantz at 405-922-5954 if interested.
Homeowners urged to prep for any unforseen disaster
The wildfires that ravaged homes and properties in Los Angeles and, right here close to home, in parts of Oklahoma earlier this year may seem an extreme and unlikely example of loss, but according to the Home Emergency Kit 3.pngU.S. Census Bureau, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters force more than two million people from their homes each year.
With the expectation of spring storms and tornado season, and even the possibility of more unexpected wildfires, AAA reminds homeowners to plan and prepare for any possibility.
“The most important aspect of any plan is, first and foremost, to ensure everyone’s safety,” said Dan Scroggins, Vice President, Personal Lines Insurance, at The Insurance Agency at AAA. “Having a readily available grab-and-go emergency kit that includes critical documents can make both the evacuation and recovery process more manageable.”
AAA recommends homeowners follow five steps in preparation for a natural disaster:
Make a Plan – Develop a family emergency plan including ways to contact each other, alternative meeting locations, and an out-of-town contact. Identify a safe room or safest areas in your home. Research your evacuation route. Be sure to include plans for your pets.
Take Inventory – Update your home inventory by walking through your home with a video camera or smart phone. Keep a record of large purchases, including the cost of the item, date purchased, and model and serial numbers if available.
Check Your Vehicle – There are a record number of older vehicles on U.S. roadways. Basic maintenance is critical to ensuring that your vehicle will be ready to go when you need it. Protect Your Property – Review your homeowner’s insurance coverage with your advisor to determine if you have adequate protection. Discuss your deductibles. Be aware that
flood insurance is not typically covered under your homeowner’s policy. Flooding to your vehicle, however, may be covered. Again, consult your advisor to ensure adequate coverage.
Stock a Grab-and-Go Home Emergency Kit – Consider the critical items you might need if:
Disaster destroys your home, leaving it uninhabitable.
Disaster damages your home, resulting in significant losses
Disaster knocks out electricity, internet and/or cell service to your home for a prolonged period
“Homeowners should always have on hand a three-day supply of nonperishable foods, water and medications, including for your pets,”
Scroggins added.
Additionally, here are 10 items your home emergency kit should include:
Hard copies or electronic records of important documents, such as birth certificates, social security cards,Home Emergency Kit 1.pngdriver’s licenses, passports, insurance cards and medical documents. It is best to store these items in a waterproof, grab-and-go carrier
Multipurpose tool or can opener for access to those non-perishable foods
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cell phone with chargers (consider a solar charger and car charger)
Prescriptions and a first-aid kit
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Moist towelettes/wipes
Garbage bags and plastic ties
Travel-size personal hygiene products, including toothbrush, toothpaste and hand sanitizer
Sleeping bags
Your home emergency kit should be checked every six months to ensure all items are in working order and stored food, water and medications have not expired.
For more information visit CSAA.com.
(Editor’s Note: The following arrest reports are provided by the Edmond Police Department. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law.
Also, CDS is controlled dangerous substance; APC is Actual Physical Control; DUI is driving under the influence.)
March 31
Caleb Lawrence Raney, 41 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Henry Lamont Hunter, 59 of Spencer. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Trenton Alexander Swanson, 28 of Oklahoma City. (Felony) larceny of merchandise from retailer and a felony warrant.
Zhengping Zhuo, 38 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.
Wendell Nathaniel Graham, 42 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .15 or more.
April 1
Kyle Matthew Hanks, 20 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.
Joe Torres, 66 of Edmond. Misdemeanor warrant.
David Zachariah Williams, 43 of Logan, Utah. Driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked, no tag — improper tag and no proof of insurance.
April 2
Mary Patricia Truelock, 41 of Edmond. Felony
DUI/APC.
Michael Leon Smiley II, 29 of Oklahoma City. Possession of marijuana and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
April 3
Clive Mukama Byoona, 25 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more.
Donald Edward Lacourse, Jr., 48 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.
Bradley Neil Ford, 56 of Edmond. Expired tag. — over three months, no proof of insurance and two counts of failure to appear.
Adam Christopher Dorrell, 50 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
April 4
Castillo Silvano Gaspar, 34 of Arcadia. Operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license and operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.
Maxamino Ponce, 37 of Arcadia. Public intoxication.
Robert Westly Gardiner III, 32 of Edmond. Possession of marijuana and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Jesus Jaime Gramajo Barrios, 25 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.l
Jamalyn Ann Hobgood, 48 of Edmond. Felony warrant.
April 5
London Oak Patterson, 28 of Oklahoma City. Two counts of failure to appear.
Tyler Linn Hall, 36 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.
Jonathon Wesley James, 34 homeless. Trespassing after being forbidden and breaking & entering.
Kenneth Jay Kerrihard, 64 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Billy Paul Przyborski, 45 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Kevin Dwain Simons, 49 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .15 or more.
April 6
Sasikumar Rajendran, 35 of Edmond. Operate (DUI or APC) a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or more.
Quentin Alexander Harmon, 21 of Edmond. Domestic abuse assault (strangulation).
Rene Baby Latdrik, 25 of Enid. Misdemeanor warrant.
Charles Derek Hodges, 34 of Edmond. Seven counts of failure to appear.
Sonya Renee Morton, 46 of Guthrie. Misdemeanor warrant.
Engla Dashawn Morris, 51 of Oklahoma City. Possession of marijuana and driving while privilege is canceled, suspended, denied or revoked.
Rory Alan Marshall, 63 of Oklahoma City. Shoplifting - petit larceny and non-assault/resisting officer.
Weekend Calendar of Events April 17-20
---- In the Gallery
---- Edmond’s Farmer’s Market
---- Saturday Farmers Market at Scissortail Park
---- Board Game Night
---- Karaoke Thursdays
---- Beer + Yoga
---- Books + Board Games
---- Kingdom of David and Solomon
Discovered
---- Expanding Expectations Exhibition
---- Saturday Morning Music Sessions
---- Live Music: Mitch Bell Quartet
---- Heard on Hurd
---- 89er Days Celebration
---- OKC Philharmonic presents: World Premiere!
---- Lyric Theatre presents: Mother Road
---- Oklahoma Shakespeare presents: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare”
---- Scissortail Park Night Market
---- Easter Eggstravaganza
---- Plant-A-Prairie Sale
---- Day of Remembrance
---- Easter Bunny Express & Egg Hunt
---- Earth Fest
---- Street Kings Car Show
Extra Information
In the Gallery
Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute
Extra Info: Gallery is open Mon –Thu; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Free; Featuring artwork of four exceptional Oklahoma artists: Allison Munson, Angie Myers, Courtney Lockhart and Sharon Sudduth; edmondfinearts.com
Edmond Farmer’s Market
Location: Festival Market Place
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 12 – Sat, Oct 25; Free; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; * No Market on 3 May due to the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival; edmondok.gov
Saturday Farmers Market at Scissortail Park
Location: Scissortail Park
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 5 – Sat, Oct 25; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; free parking: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; scissortailpark.org
Board Game Night
Location: MAC in Mitch Park
Extra Info: recurring monthly on the 1st Saturday through Sat, Dec 6, 2025; edmondokcivicrec.com
Karaoke Thursdays
Location: The Frosted Mug, 1333 N Santa Fe Ave, Suite 107, Edmond, Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thursday; Free; 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.; frostedmugedmond.com
Beer + Yoga
Location: American Solera – Icehouse
Project
Extra Info: Recurring monthly on the 2nd Sunday; Free 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.; americansolera.com
Books + Board Games
Location: American Solera – Icehouse
Project
Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Thursday; Free; 7 p.m.; americansolera.com
Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered
Location: Armstrong Auditorium
Extra Info: Recurring daily until Thu, Apr 10; Free; armstrongauditorium.org
Expanding Expectations
Exhibition
Location: University of Central Oklahoma – Melton Gallery
Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Mon, Tue, Wed and Thu until 17 Apr; 12 –5 p.m.; visitedmondok.com
Saturday Morning
Music Sessions
Location: Arcadia Round Barn
Extra Info: Recurring weekly on Saturday; 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; visitedmondok.com
Live Music: Mitch Bell Quartet
Location: University of Central Oklahoma – Jazz Lab
Extra Info: Fri, Apr 18; $15; 8 p.m.; calendar.uco.edu
Heard on Hurd
Location: Downtown Edmond
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 19; 6 – 10 p.m.; Free; mycitizens.bank
89er Days Celebration
Location: Downtown Guthrie
Extra Info: Tue, Apr 15 – Sat, Apr 19;
89erdays.com
OKC Philharmonic presents: World Premiere!
Location: Civic Center Music Hall
Extra Info: Fri, Apr 19; 8 p.m.; okcphil.org
Lyric Theatre presents: Mother Road
Location: Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma
Extra Info: Wed, Apr 2 – Sat, Apr 19; Wed – Fri: 7:30 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.; lyrictheatreokc.com
Oklahoma Shakespeare presents: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare”
Location: Paseo Indoor Theatre, OKC
Extra Info: Thu, Apr 17 – Sun, Apr 27; Thu: 7:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; okshakes.org
Scissortail Park Night Market
Location: 300 SW 7th St, OKC
Extra Info: Fri, Apr 18; 5:30 – 10 p.m.; scissortailpark.org
Easter Eggstravaganza
Location: Orr Family Farm
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 18 – Sun, Apr 19; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; orrfamilyfarm.com
Plant-A-Prairie Sale
Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 19; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; myriadgardens.org
Day of Remembrance
Location: OKC National Memorial Museum
Extra Info: Dat, Apr 19; memorialmuseum.com
Easter Bunny Express & Egg Hunt
Location: Oklahoma
Railway Museum
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 19; 9:15 am., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. & 3:15 p.m.; 13 & older: $15; 3 – 12: $8; under two: free; oklahomarailwaymuseum.org
Earth Fest
Location: Scissortail Park
Extra Info: Sat, Apr 19; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; okcbeautiful.com
Crowds are expected again this Saturday in Downton Edmond with Heard on Hurd
UCO doles out campus Leadership Awards
The University of Central Oklahoma honored the talents and achievements of student leaders and student organizations during the annual Campus Leadership Awards ceremony.
“The Campus Leadership Awards shine a light on UCO students and organizations who go above and beyond to lead with purpose, integrity and vision,” said Aubrey Frazier, director of student engagement at UCO.
“These awards not only recognize individual and collective achievement—they inspire a culture of collaboration, service and transformative learning that defines the Broncho experience.”
The student recipients for the 2024-25 Campus Leadership Awards are as follows:
Top Central Bronchos
Chloe Clinton, a psychology major from Edmond
James Brison, a business management major from Dewar, Oklahoma
Outstanding Senior
Kaleb K. Biglow, a forensic science major from Muskogee, Oklahoma
Jules Black, a professional media major from Yukon, Oklahoma
Lily Dilbeck, a psychology major with a minor in human services from Mustang, Oklahoma
Madison Fischer, an elementary education major from Custer City, Oklahoma
Emilee Lian, a psychology major from Laguna Niguel, California
Bengnique Miller, a forensic science major from Nassau, Bahamas
Johnathan Mosely, an exercise fitness management major from Spencer, Oklahoma
Kathryn Plunkett, a marketing major from Garber, Oklahoma
Outstanding Junior
Bryce Atkins, an elementary education major from Choctaw, Oklahoma
Cooper Autry, a political science major with minors in leadership and interpersonal communication from Choctaw, Oklahoma
Allison Cusimano, a forensic science and criminal justice double major from Edmond
Allie Dunn, a finance major and real estate minor from Yukon, Oklahoma
Chloe Falls, a graphic design major with a minor in illustration and leadership from Edmond, Okla-
homa
Ariel Luna, an organizational communications major with a minor in leadership and strategic communications from Wagoner, Oklahoma
Rolando Perez, a nursing major from Dallas, Texas
Chase Sutton, an economics major and mathematics minor from Vinita, Oklahoma
Kathy Tran, a biomedical sciences major of the pre-pharmacy track from Edmond
Lane Willoughby, a finance major and financial planning minor from Ardmore, Oklahoma
Outstanding Sophomore
Ahsan Abir Sakif, a management information systems major from Chittagong, Bangladesh
Zaina Hasanjee, an accounting major from Edmond, Oklahoma
Becca Lawson, a nursing major from Stillwater, Oklahoma
Jilyenne McIntosh, a psychology major from Eufaula, Oklahoma
Elli Ross, a music business and commercial music major from Oklahoma City
Outstanding Freshman
Easton Collier, a kinesiology major from Midwest City, Oklahoma
Lilian Du, a graphic design major with a minor in international business from Edmond
Joshua Lee, a music education major with a minor in Spanish from Edmond
Chloe McFeeters, a kinesiology major and nutrition and leadership minor from Oklahoma City
Sydney Woodard, a business management major and leadership and military science minor from Midwest City, Oklahoma
Commitment to Civic Engagement
Soha Jawaid, a sophomore psychology major from Edmond
Commitment to Community Service
Lillie Taylor, a junior musical theatre major from Independence, Kansas.
Commitment to Global and Cultural Competency
Malayah Fails, a junior English education major from Midwest City, Oklahoma
Commitment to Health and Wellness
Chidera Osaji, a senior biomedical engineering major from Nigeria
Broncho Spirit Award
Jentry Biggs, a sophomore early childhood education major from Okeene, Oklahoma
Izzy Baker, a senior strategic communications major from Choctaw, Oklahoma
Spirit of Enrollment and Student Success
Jackson Lehew, a senior criminal justice major from Moore, Oklahoma
Organization of the Year
Asian American Student Association
Big Event Impact Organization of the Year Homecoming Activities Board
New Student Organization of the Year
Badminton Club
Commitment to Community Service and Philanthropy
Epsilon Nu Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta
Iota Chapter of Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Commitment to Global and Cultural Competency
Arab Student Association
Zeta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Commitment to Health and Wellness
Beta Mu Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma
Beta Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Commitment to Membership Engagement
Leaders of Tomorrow
New Broncho Orientation
Commitment to Transformative Learning
Psi Chi TEDxUCO
Congratuations to all!
Engagement, Wedding notices
Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph. Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.
Edmond home to many fine disc golf courses
By Jennifer Thornton Tourism Director
Looking for a fun, laid-back way to get outside and enjoy Edmond’s great parks? Grab a disc and hit one of three disc golf courses! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, Edmond has excellent spots to test your aim and enjoy the outdoors - and the windier it is, the more challenging the game can be.
Disc Golf Courses in Edmond
Arcadia Lake Disc Golf Course
Nestled near the shores of Arcadia Lake, this 18-hole course winds through the scenic trees and rolling terrain of the lake area. The views are great, and the course is beginnerfriendly but still offers challenges for experienced players.
Oklahoma Christian University Disc Golf Course
This 18-hole course is located on the college campus on Memorial Road. It is an open campus, but they ask that visitors do not smoke, vape, or drink while on the property.
Mitch Park Disc Golf Course
A local favorite, Mitch Park’s course features long, open fairways
and a few tricky obstacles. It’s ideal for those who want to practice their power throws and improve accuracy.
Quick Rules to the Game
The goal is to complete each hole in the fewest throws possible. Instead of a ball and club, you use a flying disc (like a Frisbee) and aim for a metal basket. One disc per player.
• Each hole begins at a tee area.
• You throw from wherever your disc lands, aiming to hit the basket.
• Count each throw as a stroke.
• Lowest score wins!
Why Disc Golf is Fun
It’s easy to learn but challenging to master.
You can play solo, with friends, or in a friendly tournament.
It’s a great, low-cost way to get fresh air and exercise.
So grab a disc, hit the course, and see how many holes-in-one you can rack up!
For more ways to get outside and explore Edmond, see 27 sports facilities at https://visitedmondok.com/sports/fa cilities
Funding requests made by non-profits
By Richard Mize
The Oklahoman
It never hurts to ask, and often it positively helps for private charities to ask for public dollars, an annual routine in Edmond for 41 years.
The Edmond Community Agency Review Commission heard nonprofit organizations' requests for funding for 2025-2026 recently, the first step toward the commission sending its recommendations to the Edmond City Council for consideration.
Allocations can change through April 28, the date of the next council budget workshop and city council meeting. They could receive more scrutiny than usual because of the tight city budget. The board, created in 1984, has nine Edmond residents appointed by the mayor and city council.
Below, listed in the order they made their request to the review commission, are the organizations asking for funding assistance, the amount received for 2024-2025, the amount sought for 2025-2026, and the percentage increase or decrease.
Edmond Fine Arts Institute, 27 E Edwards St. Fine Arts Institute of Edmond − Received this year: $107,000. Requested for 2025-2026: $80,000. Change: down 25.23%.
Edmond Land Conservancy − Received this year: none. Requested for next fiscal year: $12,000. Change: up 100%.
Edmond Historic Preservation Trust − Received this year: $30,000. Requested for next year: $25,000. Change: down 16.67%.
Edmond Round Up Club − Received this year: $8,000. Requested for next year: $10,000. Change: up 25%.
UCO Sports Performance − Received this year: $20,000. Requested for next year: $20,000. Change: none.
Ministries of Jesus, 1100 E Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Edmond. YMCA Community Support − Received this year: $10,000. Requested for next year: $10,000. Change: none.
Character Council of Edmond − Received this year: $3,000. Requested for next year: $4,000. Change: up 33.33%.
Oklahoma Baptist Homes − Received this year: $2,500. Requested for next year: $5,000. Change: up 100%.
Edmond Public Schools Foundation − Received this year: $50,000. Requested for next year: $50,000. Change: none.
Project 66 Food Pantry − Received this year: $50,000. Requested for next year: $60,000. Change: up 20%.
Heartline − Received this year: None. Requested for next year: $10,000. Change: up 100%.
Carl Benne Arena, 300 N Kelly Ave., in Edmond.
Edmond Mobile Meals − Received this year: $95,000. Requested for next year: $100,000. Change: up 5%.
Ministries of Jesus − Received this year: $50,000. Requested for this year: $55,000. Change: up 10%.
Fostering Sweet Dreams Foundation − Received this year: $20,000. Requested for next year: $25,000. Change: up 25%.
Turning Point Ministries − Received this year: $80,000. Requested for next year: $100,000. Change: up 25%.
U R Special − Received this year: $20,000. Requested for next year:
$25,000. Change: up 25%.
Lilyfield Inc. − Received this year: $20,000. Requested for next year: $20,000. Change: none. Hope Center, 1251 N Broadway Ave., Edmond.
Peaceful Family Solutions − Received this year: $25,000. Requested for next year: $30,000. Change: up 20%.
Edmond Family Counseling − Received this year: $173,950. Requested for next year: $172,500. Change: down 1%.
Hope Center − Received this year: none. Requested for next year: $75,000. Change: up 100%.
Oasis Clubhouse − Received this year: none. Requested for next year: $112,600. Change: up 100%.
BE Different − Received this year: none. Requested for next year:
Engagement, Wedding notices
Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph. Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.
The Edmond History Museum has requested $25,000.
Traffic stop drama
Human behavior fascinates me. Sometimes it also frightens me.
The Internet probably has 20,000 video clips of police pulling over motorists, who have broken the law.
Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side Storm chasing bill draws scrutiny
a Hollywood actor being pulled over. The officer in the video claims to have smelled the alcohol odor on the guy from 20 feet away.
Steve Gust
For the life of me, I have no idea of what is going on in some people’s minds. Most of the videos show people who are defiant of any kind of authority over them. I have to admit I have a great deal of sympathy for the officers making these traffic stops.
For one thing, the officer usually has to make a request from someone about four or five times. They may ask and ask for someone’s license and the person behind the wheel has that “deer in the headlights” look and does nothing.
It’s either that or the person goes into a rage over being stopped in the first place.
The people who drink and drive are probably the worst. They especially have a hard time following orders. I remember there was video of
And I don’t let the police off the hook either. I saw one incident where the officer, directing traffic, made a signal for a driver to stop. Unfortunately she interpreted it as a signal to go. Witnessing that, the officer went ballistic and yelled at the lady to pull over. The poor lady driver was in tears being yelled at. A supervisor was called. He immediately looked at the officer and said “the first thing you’re going to do is settle down.”
The guy’s anger ended up costing him his job.
It seems like everyone has their adrenaline dialed up a notch during a traffic stop.
It’s sad everyone can’t behave like an adult and help out the police. They know people don’t like to be stopped and pay traffic tickets. But still, they’re trying to enforce laws which make us all safe and that’s always a good thing.
(Steve Gust, editor of Edmond Life & Leisure, may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com.)
Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, announced he has decided to take a deeper dive into the issue of storm chasing in Oklahoma before advancing House Bill 2426.
He said Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, will be holding an interim study on the legislation that would allow professional storm chasers to obtain state licensing giving them special accommodations while tracking severe weather. The bill earlier passed the House and was engrossed to the Senate.
"Many people have concerns on all sides of this issue," Fetgatter said. "I would encourage them to sit down together to work out reasonable solutions. In the meantime, it's worthy that we keep this bill alive as we dig deeper into the details surrounding storm chasing in our state.
"I appreciate all those who work to keep citizens alert and aware of severe weather conditions in Oklahoma. Tornadoes and other natural disasters create so much destruction annually in our state, and our meteorologists and storm chasers help to keep us all safe. It's important we give them the appropriate tools to do their jobs safely and well."
U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Deb Fischer (RNE) introduced joint resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal California’s EV waivers that prohibit the sale of new gas-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035, and set unrealistic and stringent requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines.
Senator Mullin’s CRA, the ‘Omnibus’ Low NOx Regulation, overturns a Biden EPA approved waiver that allowed California to enforce overly burdensome Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emission limits regulations for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines. The regulation includes longer emission control system warranties, new cold start emission requirements, and extended durability requirements over a vehicles operational life. This waiver applies to model year 2024 and later on-road heavy-duty Otto-cycle and heavy-duty diesel engines used to operate Class 3-8 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including drayage trucks, buses (except transit buses), refuse trucks, and other commercial work vehicles.
HB2426 would create an optional severe weather tracker license for those professionally employed by a media outlet or affiliated research program at specified universities. This would have allowed licensed storm trackers, during severe weather events, to be authorized to use green and yellow flashing lights on their vehicles so they could proceed through red traffic lights and travel on closed roads and highways.
Storm chasers choosing not to purchase the license would still be allowed to operate as they do now.
Fetgatter said many misunderstood the intent of the legislation.
"This was not to stop or disrupting any storm chaser that currently comes to Oklahoma to help residents stay aware of dangerous weather," he said. "Our interim study will help continue this conversation and determine the path of the legislation going forward. "
Mann, the Senate author of the bill, added, "Oklahoma is known for our severe weather, and our media meteorologists and storm trackers have been on the cutting edge of innovation in the collection and delivery of vital lifesaving information. We have also seen a rise in storm-related traffic and congestion, which has resulted in delays in the ability of those media outlets to deliver that information and our first responders to quickly respond. This was the impetus for writing House Bill 2426.
"As Representative Fetgatter worked in the House, it became clear there were concerns from law enforcement and our first responder agencies.
"With today’s announcement, I am excited to hold a joint study this legislative interim to bring those stakeholders to the table and work out the specifics on this legislation, which will empower our media trackers to continue protecting and informing the public while also addressing the legitimate concerns of our law enforcement and first responder communities.”
Travis Meyer, chief meteorologist for KOTV Channel 6 and David Payne, chief meteorologist with KWTV Channel 9, issued the following statement i.
"We support a bill that protects the citizens of Oklahoma from our extreme and violent weather. This includes fires, winter weather, and of course severe weather. This bill would enable the people who have the highest and farthest reach to the viewers of Oklahoma the ability to give them lifesaving information 365 days a year.
“This waiver imposes significant compliance costs estimated at upwards of $20,000 per truck making it more difficult for small fleets and independent operators to invest in new equipment. Moreover, this creates a competitive disadvantage for manufactures and fleets by forcing stricter standards to apply unequally
Letters to the Editor policy
across the country. We cannot allow California’s costly and extreme Green New Deal agenda to bankrupt families and eliminate consumer choice for hundreds of millions of American families. Thankfully, after four years of ineffective one-size-fits-all crippling bureaucracy, the Trump administration is bringing back common sense,” said Senator Mullin. “I’m grateful to my colleagues for partnering with me on this effort.”
“By sending these rules to Congress, Administrator Zeldin and the Trump administration followed the law and addressed the Biden administration’s attempt to circumvent Congress in this process. California’s extreme EV mandate imposes unrealistic and stringent requirements, fails to meet the Clean Air Act’s requirements for a waiver, forces the hand of American consumers, and makes our country more reliant on China for critical minerals. The American people have made it clear that they want consumer choice – not an EV mandate,” said Senator Capito. “I will continue to address all options available to strike down these rules and eliminate the consequential impact they would make across our country.”
A trip to ‘a little fairytale land’
By Elaine Warner
My job as a travel writer sometimes collides with my baser instincts – the desire to keep something special to myself for fear publicity will change it. I feel that way about Salado, Texas.
There are no stoplights on Salado’s Main Street. The population, as of 2023, was 2,394. Lots of people know about this special little town, but thousands of people a day zip by on I-35, never knowing what a treat they are missing.
Beautiful Salado Creek attracted Native Americans thousands of years before Spanish explorers arrived and claimed everything in sight. After Mexican independence from Spain, the area was claimed by Mexico.
Desiring to colonize the vast lands, the Mexican government issued land grants. In the 1830s, one of these grants, as large as the state of Tennessee, was obtained by Tennessean Major Sterling C. Robertson.
In 1848, his son, Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson, purchased a portion of the grant – a section bisected by Salado Creek – where the town of Salado now stands.
A military road, commissioned by the Republic of Texas in 1839, ran through the area. Robertson built a Southern-style plantation nearby. Robertson was instrumental in simultaneously establishing the town of Salado and Salado College, the first coeducational, privately-funded college in Texas. Robertson’s home still stands and is occupied by descendents (not open to the public).
The college building burned in 1924 – only the stabilized ruins remain. The college site has been turned into an historic park.
An inn, called the Salado Hotel was built in 1860 and served as a stagecoach stop. Subsequently the inn changed names and owners several times. The inn survived the Civil War and the end of the cattle era. After the Great Depression, the hotel and the town were failing. The old hostelry, renamed Shady Villa, limped along until 1943 when it was revived as the Stagecoach Inn – with several of the very early public spaces preserved. Several more owners followed. Like a phoenix, the hotel keeps reviving and is once again open.
My latest stay was at the Inn on the Creek, his-
toric in its own right. In the mid-‘80s, Suzi Epps found an derelict1882 Victorian house in Cameron, Texas. She moved the wreck to Salado and spent a year of restoring, expanding and decorating to give it new life. In 1987, she opened the Inn on the Creek, which she operated until 2005, when she sold it to Will Lowery.
As the name implies, it overlooks Salado Creek. White wooden Adirondack chairs on the back lawn provide a perfect spot for quiet contemplation. Rocking chairs on the spacious back porch offer a beautiful view and a place for enjoying breakfast.
The original house, the Manor, has seven rooms. The property encompasses 20 acres with 11 buildings, 21 rooms in all. We stayed in the College Quarters, the oldest building in the complex, originally home to some of the professors from Salado College during the school term.
This building, with three rooms facing Royal Street, features a wide front porch. Our room boasted a stone-lined fireplace with a dark wood mantel. A cut-out portion of one wall reveals the original interior construction – boards put together with pegs rather than nails. The dark wood floors are also original.
We were in the Tenney Room, named after the first president of the College. Our old-fashioned four-poster bed was so high, I couldn’t get up on it. Fortunately there was a small, wooden step stool, just for shorties like me. Will has thought of everything.
Dinner that night was in another Inn building, The Shed. Named because it had once been a sheep shed, its menu offers salads, sandwiches and pizzas. I had a generous, house salad and pulled pork sliders while Jack ordered the Shed Pie –Fritos topped with Shed Special Recipe Chili, finished with a blend of queso, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, onions, jalapenos and sour cream. We ate inside but a large courtyard was an option.
Breakfast was served in the elegant dining room in The Manor. The place settings were Lenox Vintage Jewel, an opulent pattern on bone china. The picture was worthy of the frame – orange juice, yogurt topped with fresh juice and fluffy, baked French toast with sausage.
I can’t say enough nice things about the Inn on the Creek. We loved our stay. You know it’s a special venue when you learn that Jenna Bush held
her bridesmaid’s luncheon at the Inn.
The next morning was spent visiting a variety of shops along the Main Street. Art galleries and working artists provide interesting stops. Strawberry Patch carries all sorts of gourmet goodies, coffees, made-in-Texas products and gifts. Mud Pie Pottery and Sir Wigglesworth Homemade Fudge share a cute, little building. The Shoppes on Main not only carry everything from baby clothes and gifts to x-rated socks but is also home to the Marketplace Café, our favorite lunch spot for their filled crepes. Note: many shops are closed on Mondays.
We spent the most time in 21 Main, a delightful boutique. Owner Kaye Coachman describes it as “a very eclectic mix of things I love and think other people will love.” An 1895 Knabe concert grand piano is a centerpiece, now loaded down with items – but a source of live music during the Christmas season.
Kaye says Salado is “like a little fairytale land.” Jack and I feel the same. It’s hard to believe such a charming little town is just a couple of blocks off the tumultuous traffic of I-35 between Waco and Austin. Now you know one of my favorite destinations – please, keep it to yourself!
Prelopp Gallery, one of several art galleries in Salado, features western art.
Salado College was one of the first institutes of higher education in the state of Texas
Will Lowery, owner of the Inn on the Creek, is a gracious host
Elaine
Edmond Art Association to meet April 22
Edmond Art Association is in its 53rd year as a local non-profit art group. We will meet Tuesday, April 22nd at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 3100 N. Broadway. Meeting time is 7-9pm and our
demo artist is DeAun Olive. She will be giving a hands on watercolor demo. Below you will find all of her info. Please let me know if you have any additional questions and come join us. The public is invited for a small fee of $5.
Artist DeAun Olive grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas, and now resides in Oklahoma City. She began painting to deal with grief. As a child she wanted to be an artist but didn’t pursue it, until much later.
Life got in the way of a childhood goal but was never forgotten. She took art classes at Rose StateCollege. Olive developed a daily habit of painting. Her instructors urged her to start showing her work, and she began a second career in art.
She belongs to the Paseo Artist Association, Mid Del Art Guild, Oklahoma Art Guild, Chisolm Trail Art Guild, and the Edmond Art Association and has served on boards of several guilds. She currently is a resident artist at Paseo Gallery One, and guest at Gallery 123, and Marvins Place. Her work is also shown in several gift shops in the area. She
has been awarded best of show, and judges’ choice in several competitions. Her work was one of the featured artists at the Myriad Gardens March 2024 and again in 2025. March 2025 was a two person show at the Ally Jenson Memorial Gallery, in Tulsa.
She has enjoyed working with art students at a local school and was honored to judge several of their shows. Olive teaches at a variety of galleries and studios in the Oklahoma City area. She gets much satisfaction from seeing her students fall in love with the process of watercolor.
Her work is mostly abstract watercolor, both floral and landscape, pulling her experiences from her own travels and home environments with the goal to create happy places and feelings. She also paints in acrylic and pastel, both soft and oil pastel. The goal of her work is to show the world as a beautiful experience, a moment away from life’s trouble. If someone smiles or relaxes a bit, she considers her art a success.
A happy artist creating happy art is the daily goal.
Iris Expo & Plant Sale is this Saturday
The Edmond Iris and Garden Society will be hosting their annual Iris Expo and Plant Sale on Saturday, April 19th from 9 AM - 12 PM at Yay on Broadway 501 N. Boulevard in Edmond. Admission is free and open to the public.
“Happy 100th Anniversary to the Edmond Iris and Garden Society.
“The oldest, continuously functioning club in Edmond began in 1925 when a group of ladies met to learn about flowers and takeup projects to beautify Edmond,” stated current President, Cecilia Martin.
Along the way in the 30’s they were instrumental in getting Chitwood Park developed in west Edmond. In 1991 the group planted an iris garden in Hafer Park. The club now has planted or donated iris to eight different parks and locations in Edmond.
The Anniversary event was celebrated on April 3, 2025 at the Town Square Clubhouse, which is their monthly meeting place. The celebration included a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Chamber of Commerce followed by a proclamation read by Mayor Darrell Davis, an iris enthusiast himself. The members and guests then shared refreshments and a special cake.
Derek Lee, Curator of Collections from the Edmond History Museum, brought artifacts from the early days of the Society to share with those who attended. Melissa Pepper, CEO of the new Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park, brought renderings and shared an update on the new park. In 2022 the Edmond Iris and Garden Club rescued over 1000 iris rhizomes from the land and has been fostering them to replant a garden when the park is finished. Mary Jo Fortuna and Linda Savage, former Society Presidents and members, prepared and presented a PowerPoint on the decades and history of the organization. Information about a former president, Mollie Tallant, a west Edmond resident who was an iris hybridizer in the 1950’s, as well asearly Edmond projects and political activism was presented.
“Since Edmond was declared The City of Iris in 1961 by Mayor Custer Service and is still The City of Iris, one of the Centennial Committee’s goals is to encourage the growth of iris across Edmond,” stated Centennial Committee Chair Anita Schlaht. “The Society holds two events each year: the Iris Expo and Plant Sale coming up April 19 from 9-12 at Yay on Broadway and our fall Rhizome and Plant Sale in September. At the Expo members will display iris grown in their gardens and potted iris and plants will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sales go toward our annual scholarship to a horticulture student from the Edmond area attending Oklahoma State University, and community projects and iris garden maintenance.”
Part of the work of artist DeAun Olive.
Strong credit scores can also benefit seniors
The benefits of maintaining good credit include looking more reliable in the eyes of prospective employers and securing lower mortgage interest rates when buying a home. Those rewards can benefit anyone, but they’re especially enticing to young people. But what about seniors? Do individuals stand to benefit significantly from maintaining good credit into their golden years?
According to the credit reporting agency Experian, senior citizens tend to have the best credit scores of any consumer demographic. That could be a byproduct of years of financial discipline, and there are many benefits to maintaining that discipline into retirement.
• Home buying and borrowing: Buying a home is often considered a big financial step forward for young people, but that doesn’t mean aging men and women are completely out of the real estate market. In its 2020 “State of the Nation’s Housing” report, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University reported that the share of homeowners age 65 and over with housing debt doubled to 42 percent between 1989 and 2019. In addition, 27 percent of homeowners age 80 and over were carrying mortgage debt in 2019. Maintaining strong credit after retirement can help homeowners who still have mortgage debt get better terms if they choose to refinance their mortgages. Even seniors who have paid off their mortgages can benefit from maintaining good credit if they decide to downsize to a smaller
home but cannot afford to simply buy the new home outright.
• Rewards: Retirement is often associated with travel, recreation and leisure. Such pursuits can be more affordable when seniors utilize rewardsbased credit cards that help them finance vacations, weekend getaways and other expenses associated with traveling. Seniors who maintain strong credit ratings into their golden years may have more access to the best travel-based rewards cards than those whose credit scores dip in retirement.
• Unforeseen expenses: No one knows what’s around the corner, but savvy seniors recognize the importance of planning for the unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic seemingly came out of nowhere, and among its many ripple effects was the sudden job loss experienced by seniors. The JCHS report found that 21 percent of homeowners age 65 and over had reported loss of employment income related to the pandemic. Unforeseen medical expenses also can compromise seniors’ financial freedom. Maintaining a strong credit rating into older adulthood can help seniors navigate such financial uncertainty more smoothly. Such a strategy can help seniors secure low-interest loans or credit cards that can help them pay down sudden, unforeseen expenses without getting into significant debt.
The importance of a strong credit rating is often emphasized to young people. However, a strong credit rating can be equally beneficial for seniors.
Local news?
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Simply e-mail the items to news@edmondpaper.com
There are reasons seniors should keep a good credit score.
Review of movie ‘The King of Kings’
Film is a nice fit for Easter holiday
By George Gust
The film tradition of Christmas is undefeated in the year after year “I gotta watch movie ‘X’” for it to feel like Christmas. And for some the yearly 4 and half commercial packed TV airing of “The Ten Commandments” is a right of passage for the lead up to Easter the way “It’s a Wonderful Life” is after Thanksgiving. This Easter we have a new contender to become The Easter family film that families and Sunday schools can return to time and time again, but becoming a touchstone Easter family film is small needle to thread, could the latest animated faith-based family film “The King of Kings” balance the life of Jesus and modern movie sensibilities?
“The King of Kings” is a big budget animated family film faith-based studio Angel Studios. Charles Dickens (voice of Kenneth Branagh) tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus (voice of Oscar Isaac), witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.
The story of Jesus’ life has been inarguably one
of the most influential stories in our society, living up to the ‘Greatest Story Ever Told’ moniker. “The King of Kings” aims to bring that story to life for a new generation. And being both an animated kids’ movie that will appeal to the generation who loves “Minions” and a spiritually weighted retelling of Jesus’ life, struggles and ultimate sacrifice can bump against each other when placed right next to each other in this narrative. However, this mismatched shifts in tone don’t take away from the overall message of the film and feel more like slapstick asides that are there to help get the younger kids in attendance through to the bigger story that is being told.
“The King of Kings” brings a modern visual animation style that feels in line with its other animation blockbuster peers but lacks a certain panache that could help it stand out in a crowded animation landscape. While the environments in the film look stunning and pull you into the story, the character animations have an uncanny quality that feels like the characters are being portrayed by action figures. What brings these characters to life however are the gentle yet compelling voice performances from the star-studded cast, led by the soulful performance of Isaac as Jesus that holds together throughout the tonal shifts and animation style.
Overall, “The King of Kings” is a highly serviceable retelling of Jesus’ life for a new generation of kids and is a phenomenal entry in the canon of films that can be played every year around Easter. There are some shortcomings to the film, but the overall straightforward and earnest tone will win you and your family over this Easter season.
“The King of Kings” is rated PG for thematic material, violent content and some scary moments.
4 out of 5 stars.
UCO to host summer camps for kids & teens
The University of Central Oklahoma invites families to explore the exciting lineup of summer camps for children and teens, running from June through August. Designed for students in grades K12, these camps offer a dynamic blend of fun, creativity and hands-on learning experiences.
Each camp provides participants with opportunities to explore their interests, discover new talents and build meaningful connections with peers—all while learning from expert educators and professionals. With topics ranging from science and technology to visual arts and athletics, UCO’s summer programs are tailored to inspire curiosity, boost confidence and encourage personal growth.
2025 camps include:
Dance Camp, June 2-6
Engineering Summer Academy Session 1, June 2-6
Photography Day Camp, June 2-6
Dance and Down Syndrome Music Theatre Camp, June 9-13
Sports Media Day Camp, June 9-13
Engineering Summer Academy Session 2, June 9-13
Drama Camp Teen Track Session 1, June 9-13
ACM@UCO Rock Camp Session 1, June 9-13
Drama Camp Youth Track Session 1, June 16-20
UCO Jazz Lab Jazz Camp, June 22-27
ACM@UCO Production Camp Session 1, June 23-27
Drama Camp Teen Track Session 2, July 14-18
ACM@UCO Rock Camp Session 2, July 14-18
Drama Camp Youth Track Session 2, July 21-25
ACM@UCO Production Camp Session 2, July 21-25
Film and Video Camp, August 4-8
Dance Intensive, Aug. 4-8
In addition to the camps listed, UCO sports teams host camps throughout the summer. Sports include baseball, basketball, soccer, football, softball, wrestling and volleyball.
Registration is now open, and spaces are limited. For a full list of camps, dates and registration details, visit go.uco.edu/camps.
Integris sets 35th annual Hispanic Health Fair
The INTEGRIS Health Community Benefit Hispanic Outreach program invites the community to participate in their 35th annual Hispanic Health Fair and Mobile Clinic. The Hispanic Health Fair is an important strategic outreach in INTEGRIS Health’s mission of partnering with people to live healthier lives.
The event is free to the public and will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Metro Technology Center, located at 1900 Springlake Drive in Oklahoma City.
Participants will be offered health and wellness information and free health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, vision, sexually transmitted infection testing and dental screenings; along with lung function testing, EKGs, immunizations as well as COVID-19 vaccinations and testing.
Cancer screenings will also be available by appointment only for skin, oral, breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.
The annual event began in 1990 to improve quality of life in the Hispanic community through education, resources and health-related services and to understand cultural differences within the Hispanic population, the nation’s largest minority segment.
INTEGRIS Health’s Hispanic Outreach coordinators saw firsthand the difficulties the Hispanic community experienced in their hospitalizations
through their work at INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center and the Hispanic community.
“Many Hispanic residents in Oklahoma knew they were sick and needed medical attention but didn't know where to go or who to contact for help. The language barrier was one of the first obstacles,” says Carmen Romo, program manager with INTEGRIS Health’s Hispanic Outreach.
The event, which began as a dream to disseminate information about existing health resources in Oklahoma with eight exhibitors 35 years ago has grown into a multi-cultural event with more than 100 nonprofit organizations partnering from across the state and 140 volunteers to provide not only health screeenings but educational and financial resources.
More than 39,000 community members have received education and screenings since its inception with 2,360 health screenings completed last year alone.
"I feel very proud of what the community has accomplished throughout the years by coming together and providing such a significant impact on the lives of families in Oklahoma," said Romo.
Reservations are required for all cancer screenings and mammograms. For more information and reservations, please call 405-636-7548 or 405-636-7549.
People practicing photography with cameras and lighting while photographing someone popping bubbles during a UCO youth camp last year.
Cox Foundation gives Sunbeam Family Services a grant
Sunbeam Family Services has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. The Foundation is the charitable arm of Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications, and is named after the company’s founder. The funds will support the creation of the Sunbeam Early Education Center (EEC), which will increase access to early education and wraparound services for under-resourced families. Sunbeam EEC will serve as a demonstration school, providing onsite job training to support teacher development and address the national childcare workforce shortage.
“Sunbeam Family Services is honored to be the recipient of a James M. Cox Foundation grant. With this generous gift, we will provide high-quality Early Head Start services for children from birth to age 3. Early Head Start provides a holistic approach to early childhood education, addressing not only educational needs but also health, mental health, nutrition and family well-being,” saidl, LCSW. “Our comprehensive support helps children develop in all areas, ensuring they are ready for school along with strengthening families.”
With this grant, Sunbeam will serve 32 Head Start families each year. In areas of Oklahoma City, childcare and developmental resources are very limited. In the 73106 ZIP code, there are no
options for young children to find quality, subsidized childcare services. With this grant, Sunbeam will provide life-changing services for children to have the opportunity to learn during the crucial stage of development when 90% of their brain is developed.
Sunbeam, a long-standing nonprofit in Oklahoma, is a leader in early care and education. The nonprofit prepares young children to enter school by providing high-quality Early Head Start and Head Start education programs through full-day, full-year center-based services across Oklahoma County and through Sunbeam’s Home Visitation program. Access to high-quality early childhood education is crucial for the future success of babies, toddlers, and their families. This is especially true for families who earn low wages and live in underresourced communities. Research shows that relationships with adult caregivers help build important brain connections by age 3. These connections affect health, education, and other outcomes throughout life. Children who aren’t ready for school at age 5 may struggle to catch up, leading to an achievement gap that can persist throughout their lives.
“At Cox, we are committed to empowering our employees and communities to build a better future for the next generation. We are thrilled to do
just that and support the transformational work of Sunbeam Family Services through this generous gift from the Foundation,” said Katy Boren, market vice president for Cox Communications in Oklahoma City.
This is not the first time Cox Communications has partnered with Sunbeam. Over the last two decades, Cox has proudly contributed to many programs and events that benefit the nonprofit and reinforce the company’s commitment to the community. Cox employees have also contributed their own dollars and volunteer time to Sunbeam through Cox Charities, a charitable foundation funded and guided by frontline Cox employees.
About the James M. Cox Foundation
The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises' founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas, including biodiversity, conservation and environment; early childhood education; health; and empowering families and individuals for success.
Streamers and smiles greeted the news that the Cox Foundation had givens Sunbeam Family Services a $200,000 grant.
Sunbeam CEO Sarah Rahha and Katy Boren, market vice president for Cox Communications in Oklahoma City
Panda Express & Chamber celebrate eatery’s arrival
Panda Express held a ribbon cutting with the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their grand opening at 18021 North Portland Avenue.
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Family-owned and operated since 1983, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, like The Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut
Shrimp.
The Edmond Panda Express team is thrilled to be part of the community and welcomes all guests into their doors to try authentic American Chinese favorites! Dine in, take out, or order online for a quick and easy pick-up. https://order.pandaexpress.com/
For more information visit https://www.pandaexpress.com/.
tires and lockouts. AAA received roughly 215,000 service calls for electric vehicles (EVs), representing about 0.8% of total roadside service events.
During April, which is Car Care Month, AAA encourages all vehicle owners to keep up with car care basics to prolong the life of their vehicle and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
to keep up with vehicle maintenance," said Cliff Ruud, managing director of Automotive for AAA. "We get a lot of calls about towing and battery problems that could have been avoided had these vehicles been maintained…To avoid costly, inconvenient, and perhaps unsafe breakdowns, we really encourage drivers to stay on top of their car’s health.” AAA reminds motorists to make April Car Care Month
In 2024, AAA received more than 27 million emergency roadside service calls across the United States. Of those calls, the majority of vehicles required towing (roughly 13 million) or were experiencing car care image 4.pngbattery issues (approximately 7 million). Combined, these two types of incidents accounted for roughly 74% of total calls and eclipsed flat
Treasurer Todd Russ
Latest numbers have state official touting economy
Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ announced the state’s tax revenue for March topped $1.31 billion, marking an 11.4% increase over the previous month. The report reflects widespread month-over-month growth across all major tax sources, a sign of resilience as the state’s economy adjusts to shifting national conditions.
“All tax sources for the state are up, leading to another month of growth in revenue while signaling resilience amid economic fluctuations,” said Treasurer Russ. “Oklahoma’s economy continues to navigate these shifts while the Fed maintains a tightened position.”
Monthly Highlights:
Income Tax collections surged by nearly 25%, totaling $509.5 million.
Gross Production Tax rose to $99.5 million, up 2.5%.
Sales and Use Taxes grew by 2.4%, adding $12.2 million.
Motor Vehicle Tax collections spiked by 27.1%, contributing $16.4 million more than the prior month.
What This Means for Oklahomans:
For households across the state, the uptick in monthly revenue indicates a healthy employment environment and increased earnings, especially with the state’s unemployment rate holding steady at 3.3%, below the national average of 4.1%.
Manufacturing exports also rose 5.2%, further boosting confidence in Oklahoma’s business sector.
“Oklahomans can take heart knowing our state remains on stable footing,” said Treasurer Russ. “Despite national uncertainty, our economy is showing strength in key areas— growth in jobs, steady exports, and strong income tax revenue are all encouraging signs for families and communities across the state.”
Looking Ahead:
The Oklahoma Business Conditions Index declined slightly to 53.6, but still remains in expansion territory. As state agencies begin their budgetary planning for the upcoming year, the consistent revenue inflows—particularly from income and use taxes—provide a foundation for continued investment in public services and infrastructure.
"Car Care Month is a great reminder
Officials with Panda Express and the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce welcome the new restaurant to Edmond.
Annual benefit will help The Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation announced that its annual flagship fundraising event, Walk to Cure Arthritis, will take place June 7, 2025 at Stars & Stripes Park in Oklahoma City. Funds raised through donations to the one-mile charity walk will support the Foundation’s ability to fund scientific research and continue to provide services and resources to the arthritis community in Oklahoma and beyond.
Walk to Cure Arthritis celebrates the community of arthritis patients of all ages, their caregivers and everyone in the movement to conquer the disease.
“Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability in the United States, and it profoundly changes the lives of those who live with it — including babies and toddlers,” said Dr. Latisha Heinlen, board member of Arthritis Foundation Oklahoma. “The monies raised through Walk to Cure Arthritis allow the Arthritis Foundation to fund research to find new treatments for arthritis patients, and to continue providing patient resources, including
summer camp and scholarships for kids with juvenile arthritis, free informative webinars, a free Helpline and more.”
INTEGRIS Health’s Dr. Amy Dedeke is this year’s Walk Medical Honoree and Champion of Health. She will be celebrated for her 15+ years of service to the Arthritis community and for her strong support of the Foundation’s mission.
“Every community member who joins the Walk to Cure Arthritis or donates to a walker is not only supporting their friends and family who live with the disease, but also the broader community of individuals with arthritis, including kids as young as three months old,” said Dr. Amy Dedeke.
In addition to Dr. Dedeke, the following people will be honored.
- Angie Jimenez, Oklahoma City, Walk to Cure Arthritis Adult honoree
- Madison Guile, Edmond, Walk to Cure Arthritis Young Adult honoree
- Isabella Strassle, Ponca City, Walk to Cure Arthritis Youth honoree
Hi and Lois
Shoe
Zits
Family Circus
Beetle Baily
Blondie
Hägar the Horrible
Trio of education bills under consideration
Measures to improve math and reading performance among Oklahoma students and to increase in-person instructional time passed in the House Appropriations & Budget Education Subcommittee on Monday.
Three bills addressing these issues are authored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton.
"Oklahoma kids deserve all the help they can in core subjects like math and reading," Moore said. "These are more than just curriculum, they help students the rest of their lives, including in their future careers. Getting students the proper help they need early in their education is invaluable and worth the state's investment."
Senate Bill 215 would create the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act, requiring students to be screened three times a year for math proficiency in the second, third, fourth and fifth grades. Any student exceeding grade-level targets would be provided advanced learning opportunities. Students exhibiting deficiencies would receive individualized intervention upon parental notification.
Moore, who's mother taught math for 33 years, said a basic understanding of math by the time a student reaches eighth grade is vital for higher learning and for future employment.
He said the state's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores are consistently low, while increasing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning opportunities remains a priority for the state. Students also are making up for a learning loss experienced during COVID.
Moore also authored Senate Bill 840, which would direct the Commission for Educational Qual-
ity and Accountability to promulgate rules establishing a micro-credential for certified teachers who wish to become dyslexia specialists.
This would help identify students with dyslexia early, getting them the interventions and support they need, Moore said, and it would improve literacy rates.
Senate Bill 758 would limit the number of virtual days and hours a school can count toward its required amount of instruction time starting with the 2026-2027 school year.
A district could count up to two days, or 12 hours, of virtual instruction time toward its required 180 days or 1,080 hours, only if the following has occurred:
A state of emergency or proclamation has been issued by the governor for a specific reason relat-
ing to school district or charter school operation,
The school board has approved the use of virtual instruction, and
The state superintendent has approved the district's virtual instruction plan.
"We have brick-and-mortar public school districts in our state that have used as many as 43 virtual days," Moore said. "As a parent, I can personally tell you that many of the children on these days receive no instruction from a teacher, and many times they have no actual work assigned. Oklahoma kids need this in-person instructional time."
Moore said districts would still have the ability to offer four-day school weeks, and the bill does not apply to statewide virtual charter schools or full-time virtual educations programs operated by a school district.
