EEll RRenoeno TTribuneribune WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2021 • ELRENOTRIBUNE.COM • USPS NO. (170-780) • ONE DOLLAR LocalNews El Reno teacher honored with spot on 20 Under 2 list An El Reno teacher has been honored by a not-for-profit organization that recognizes new teachers that show great promise. The Teaching and Leading Initiative of Oklahoma (TLI) named 20 of the top Ashli Robinson See TEACHER, Page 10 El Reno Regional Airport has signed an agreement with the Corporate Aircraft Association to offer discounted fuel to County awards contracts privately owned and operated jets and turboprop aircraft. (Courtesy photos) as opening date for new fairgrounds draws closer By CONRAD DUDDERAR Douglas Equipment Fly in, fuel up for less Yukon Progress ($27,071.72) for folding With the Canadian tables and chairs. El Reno Regional Airport signs deal to County Expo and Douglas Equipment Event Center just submitted the lower become Preferred Fixed Base Operator weeks away from of two bids opened. opening, county Expect more jets to El RenoNews commissioners CountyNews be landing at El Reno have awarded Regional Airport Corporate Aircraft contracts for Home Depot and purchasing fuel, Association (CAA) several items. ($21,025.47) for janitorial said Airport Manager to offer discounted fuel Nathan Smith, items. Home Depot had Adam Fox. to those with privately the expo center’s the lowest overall price Fox said the increase owned and operated director and marketing among four companies in business is expected jets and turboprop manager, recommended submitting bids. after the El Reno Air- aircraft. contracts be awarded park Authority signed to: See COUNTY, Page 5 an agreement with the See FBO, Page 10 Auto industry shows interest in Oklahoma In the summer of 2020, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) launched its Oklahoma Automotive Accelerator Program. Since then, Commerce reports it has seen significant interest from automotive manufacturers and suppliers and is currently working on automotive industry opportunities that would exceed $15 billion of capital investment. StateNews “We know we offer a great value proposition for automotive manufacturers and suppliers,” said Scott Mueller, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development. “Oklahoma is centrally located geographically, is an easy place to do business and has a very capable Switching out the grass workforce that is willing and able to help automotive companies excel.” A three-man demolition crew from ATG Sports, based out of Kansas, began tearing up the grass fi eld at El Reno High School's Memorial “New changes regarding trade with Stadium last week as the project to convert the playing surface from natural grass to artifi cial turf kicked off. The grass and underlying Canada and Mexico are pushing many soil was taken down to the depth required to begin the base work for the turf. The old goal posts were cut down and removed and the surrounding track area will also be demolished. Completion date is set for early August. (Tribune photographer/Glen Miller) See AUTO, Page 5 Thursday’s Click on Instagram Inside all the news Weather LOCAL BASEBALL and sports on Search for ERTRIBUNE 85 PLAYERS TAKE our website. HIGH PART IN ALL-STAR www. 1 Section Search for El Reno Tribune 65 CONTESTS elrenotribune Copyright 2021 LOW Tribune Corporation, El Reno, Okla. .com All rights reserved Humid, breezy Full forecast on Page 3 PAGE 2 El Reno, Oklahoma http://twitter.com/ERTribune EARLY DEADLINES Due to Monday May 31st Memorial Holiday, the Deadlines for Wednesday, June 2nd issue will be Thursday, May 27th at 12:00 pm. The El Reno Tribune will be CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY 2 ' SPORTS Wednesday, May 26, 2021 El Reno Tribune Calumet players, coach help secure North win Melvin, Snyder score runs, Arnold hits walk-off single; ER’s Ellison plays outfi eld By GLEN MILLER Tignor, who coached [email protected] the squad along with WEATHERFORD — Vici’s Kris Webb. Calumet High School’s three players and head CountyBaseball coach Tyler Tignor all played a hand in the Kaleb Melvin, who North squad winning recently signed with the 2021 Western Murray State College, Oklahoma Baseball started the game on Coaches Association’s the mound. The right- Small School All-Star hander threw two Game, 3-2. innings, allowing no “Our kids had a runs and one hit and hand in all three runs a walk against two and they all did some strikeouts. things defensively. “He threw well. He I’m proud of them hit 92 three times on and it was good for our program,” said See BASEBALL, Page 5 Clockwise from top: Calumet’s Seth Snyder eyes a pickoff throw while playing fi rst base during the Western Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Star Game. Kaleb Melvin throws a fastball during the game. Catcher Austin Arnold caught three innings and had the game- winning hit. El Reno’s Boston Ellison, shown here in the 5A playoffs, played center fi eld in the Oklahoma City Area Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Star Game. (Tribune photographer/Glen Miller) A Small Town Weekend JUNE 4, 5, & 6 -Classic Car -Route 66 -Drag Races -Hot Wheel Shows Cruises -Burnouts Races For more info, visit FACEBOOK EL RENO CRUiSERS Only a short drive west from the Metro. Close to you, far from ordinary! El Reno Tribune Wednesday, May 26, 2021 NEWS ' 3 Obituaries Cole: Th e fi ght for America’s past Carol Ann Higdon long with GuestColumn In response, I sent Memorial services David Bishop, mathematics a letter last week to for Carol Ann Higdon Springfield, OR, Aand science, Secretary Cardona, are being planned and John Bishop, study of civics and Tom urging the Biden American history is administration to and will be held Springfield, GA. Cole at a later date. Nephews Levi Bishop key to a well-rounded withdraw its proposed A celebration of life and wife Sarah and education. Indeed, priorities. While for friends and daughters Taryn when Americans I certainly support family will also be and Olivia Rose, have a deeper U.S. Congressman strengthening civics conducted. Final Springfield, OR, understanding of our Oklahoma (4th District) and American history resting place for Mrs. and Daniel Bishop nation’s history and knowledge in school Higdon will be in the and wife Alyssa, founding principles, mandating use of a systems across the El Reno Cemetery. Savannah, GA. Niece they become more national curriculum country, I cannot Carol died on Amanda Bishop engaged citizens is something I do not support backdoor May 16, 2021, at Serafim and husband who participate in our and cannot support. efforts to introduce Hospice House in Carol Ann Higdon Julio, Atlanta, GA. government the way Following an critical race theory Oklahoma City. She Aunts Emma Lou our Founding Fathers exchange with and elevate the widely was born Carol Ann in life was the Bishop, Moses intended. It also Education Secretary disputed ideas put Bishop on October raising of their Lake, WA, and preserves our republic Miguel Cardona in forward by the 1619 12, 1959, in Okarche, son Woody and Lola Patricia Lynch, and ensures a my appropriations Project. and was a lifetime assisting the school Belton, MO. prosperous future for subcommittee, I am A long-form resident of El Reno. that provided for Carol lived generations to come. greatly concerned journalism initiative She was a graduate his educational her final years with Sadly, the National that by the Biden spearheaded by of El Reno High development. She her adopted loving Assessment of administration’s new writers of the left- School, a member returned to college family, Lindon, Education Progress guidance, published in leaning New York of the First Baptist after his death Shelly, Grace and has reported a nearly the Federal Register, Times, the 1619 Church and Trinity and achieved her Rose Colson and 27-year proficiency for grant applicants Project was not Baptist Church. teaching certificate. Brendan, Mykal, decline in these and recipients of the developed by trained Carol held multiple She was a teacher Taylor and Matthew subjects. Moreover, existing American historians and has memberships such as at the Big 5 Ford, El Reno. only nine states History and Civics been the subject of Thespians, Art Club Communities Service There are require a full year Education programs. criticism from leading and Pep Club. She Yukon Head Start, numerous of civics education During our members of historical enjoyed reading, Yukon, OK, at the relatives, friends and be included in high discussion, Secretary academia concerning cooking and outdoor time of her death. acquaintances that school curricula, Cardona first stated its credibility — activities. Carol was will miss her eternal and 10 states do not that curriculum so much so that it Her plans after preceded in death smile and loving require any sort of decisions are made has required revision. high school were by her father and disposition. civics education at all. at the state level with The project’s main to go to college, mother, L.D. and The family The weakened local control. However, assertion is that get married and Arlene Bishop, and suggests in lieu of citizen knowledge he then contradicted “one of the primary raise a family. the joy of her life, flowers, memorials of our nation’s history that statement when reasons the colonists Carol was married Lawrence Elwood or donations be made and understanding he admitted that decided to declare to Michael Higdon on “Woody” Higdon. to the Yukon Head of our unique system the U.S. Department their independence September 12, 1981. Carol is survived Start Program in of governance of Education could from Britain Carol’s true passion by her brothers Carol’s name. should alarm every condition grants was because they American.