August, 2014

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Tawnya Donnell (McCracken)

Wood, Tawnya

Tawnya Donnell  (McCracken) Wood, 55, of Mustang,  left this world after her long battle with cancer ended on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014.  She was born Sept. 12, 1958, in Cordell to Bill and Nell McCracken. Known as “Tawny” to those who loved her, she loved living her life by sharing her genuine gift of laughter, her streak of mischievousness, her fondness for adventure and most of all, her love for her family.

She left behind her two greatest loves of her life, Kaylee Elizabeth Wood, her daughter, and Kyle Blake Wood, her son, both of Mustang. She leaves also her parents, Bill and Nell McCracken of Mustang; her brother and his family, Rick, Brenda and Jerod McCracken of McAlester; her sister and her family, Jill, Ron and Ethan Heck of Bridgecreek; and her nephew and his family, Jesse, Amy, Addison, Sierra and Kaitlyn McCracken of Cashion. Tawny  was a part of a very large extended family that includes aunts, cousins and many, many  friends.  She has gone to heaven to be with loved ones who have preceded her in death, and to help prepare a place for each one of us there.

Our family wishes to say thank you to all of those who have kept her in your prayers during her long battle and we ask for you to continue to send prayers to our Father above and to ask Him to give our love to Tawny, we’ll be OK for now and let her know she’s always on our minds.  She loved you all…

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, at Lakehoma Church of Christ in Mustang, under direction of McNeil’s Funeral Service.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

Stanley E. Sayers

Stanley Sayer
 Stanley E. Sayers, former Duncan resident, passed from this life and into eternity at his home in Mustang on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014.
Mr. Sayers was born in Oklahoma City on Jan. 13, 1933, to Halbert and Evadel Sayers. He grew up in McLoud, where he graduated from high school in 1951. Following graduation, Sayers attended Harding College in Searcy, Ark., for two years. He
married the love of his life, Billye Mae Burrough, on July 24, 1953. Together they had two children, Elayne and James. He continued his education at East Central in Ada and Southeastern in Durant, earning a bachelor's in English. Later he returned to
East Central and completed his master's in counseling. Stanley spent his life preaching the Good News of Jesus and God's Word to anyone who would listen. He was a full-time pulpit minister in several congregations of the Church of Christ throughout Oklahoma, including Oakland, Marietta, Tulsa, Roff, Duncan and Elgin.
In addition to full-time pulpit ministry, Sayers was an evangelist to the world. He conducted numerous gospel meetings throughout the United States and was also able to speak in Canada and Indonesia. But his greatest work was through his writing. Sayers' first book, “I Have Believed,” on Christian evidences, was published in 1957. It was written to address the questions that college students face in their faith when they leave home. It was widely received and republished under the title “For This Cause,” with an accompanying workbook. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Sayers wrote for The Voice of Freedom and continued writing books through 2014. His 20 published books include “Reflecting on the Spirit,” “The Tragedy of Sin,” “The Nature of Things to Come,” “Knee Prints,” “Bridging the Generation Gap,” “Optimism in an Age of Peril” and “God's Powerful Word.” He joined the digital age with a blog called God's Powerful Word and was working on his next installment the day he died.
Sayers is survived by his wife, Billye Mae of the home; his daughter, Elayne Weger Bowman and husband, Clay; his son, James and wife, Maria; five grandchildren, Jonathan and Sarah
Weger, Paul and Devan Weger, Nathan Weger, Nicole Sayers and Molly Sayers; two brothers, Don and Paul; and a host of cousins and friends.
He was a faithful husband, loving father and doting grandfather. But most of all, Sayers was a man of God.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at wecare@dongranthamfuneralhomes.com.

Vermell Lee Reddick

Reddick, Vermell

Vermell Lee Reddick, age 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, from her home in Oklahoma City. She was born March 31, 1926, in Steedman to Ralph E. and Minnie L. Gillock. She grew up in that area and moved to Oklahoma City as a teenager.  She was a graduate of Central High School and attended Central State College. She worked many years as a church secretary for various Assembly of God Churches and had also worked at WKY TV and the Oklahoma District of the Assemblies of God. She had been a resident of the Mustang area since 1975 and was member of The Bridge Assembly of God.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, R.E., and one sister, June.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James “Jim” Reddick of the home; two sons, David and wife, Peggy of Mustang and Tim and wife, Debbie of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two daughters, Rebecca Bryan of McLoud and Gloria Strother of Oklahoma City. Also by 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Terry Gillock; and two sisters, Voneta Sales and Doneta Haven.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the “Georgia Bible Fund” in care of The Bridge Assembly of God Church, Mustang.

Services were held Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, at The Bridge Assembly of God Church. Interment was in the Likowski Cemeteryin Pharoah, Okla., under the direction of McNeil’s Mustang Funeral Service.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

Megan Lynn Delk

Megan Delk

Maegan Lynn Delk blessed the world with her presence on April 13, 1999, at 4:55 p.m. From birth she showered her family, her friends and the world with her beauty and laughter. Maegan loved with a love that was more than love. She had a kind heart and the voice of an angel. The world is a much sadder place without Maegan in it.

Maegan left this world in the arms of angels on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014.

She is survived by her parents, Helene and Blaine Condreay of Mustang and Steven Delk of Yukon; her beloved big brother, Colten Delk; her Nana, Beatrice Hackett of Midwest City; her grandparents, Jimmie and Lois Delk of Jamestown, Tenn., Patsy and Larry Eades of Mena, Ark., and Phil and Trudy Condreay of Seiling; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her PawPaw, Bill H. Hackett, and aunt, Robin Lynn Hackett.

Though we all feel her loss greatly, we are so thankful to have had 15 wonderfully beautiful years with our Baby Girl. Our love follows her on her journey HOME, and she will forever be in our hearts. Maegan was our rose in a field of dandelions.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, at First Baptist Church, Mustang.

Contributions in memory of Maegan may be made at Cornerstone Bank, Account No. 6007448. Make checks payable to Blaine or Helene Condreay.

Online condolences may be made at www.mcneilsmustangfs.com.

OSU will start strong, but struggle down stretch in 2014

website commentary new.qxd

Here is my game-by-game prediction for the 2014 Oklahoma State football season:

Week one: Florida State (Arlington), loss, 34-24 (0-1)

Everyone in and around college football is picking Florida State to come into Arlington and wipe the turf with Oklahoma State this coming Saturday night.OSU COTTON (David Glidden)

At first glance, it’s easy to understand why. However, if I have learned one thing when it comes to picking games, it’s whatever looks like a sure thing, isn’t a sure thing.

This isn’t the OSU of old. The Cowboys are now a good program, not just a good team every four or five years. Mike Gundy, while being a man, is also a pretty darn good football coach.

The Pokes will keep this close for three quarters, but eventually the defending national champion Seminoles will break away to win by double digits.

Week two: Missouri State, win, 45-21 (1-1)

The Cowboys will have a slight hangover from the opening week game against Florida State, but they will eventually wake up to win this game with ease.

Look for MO State to keep it close for a quarter or maybe even a half, but the Pokes will eventually pull away in the second half and go on to get their first win of 2014 as they coast by the Bears.

Week three: University of Texas San Antonio, win, 37-24 (2-1)

Oklahoma State’s young and inexperienced defense will have a lot of growing up to do early in the season and this is one of those learning games for OSU.

The young D will be pumped up to play against FSU and even motivated to play the home opener against Missouri State, but in week three against another opponent that doesn’t match up physically, the raw defense will show its youth.

UTSA will keep this game close for the majority of the contest until the OSU offense can find a way to pull away in the second half to win by double digits, but this game will be in doubt for three quarters.

Week four: Texas Tech, win, 31-28, (3-1)

For the exact same reason I am picking the UTSA game to be a close one, I like the Cowboys against Red Raiders in Stillwater in this matchup.

The young and inexperienced Oklahoma State defense will be motivated and pumped up to play in the Big 12 home opener and come out with a lot of intensity.

OSU’s offense will be able to muster enough points and go on a game-winning drive capped off by the football sailing through the uprights as time expires for a Pokes victory.

It is worth noting, however, if this game was being played in Lubbock, it wouldn’t even be close.

Week five: Iowa State, win, 41-24 (4-1)

Simply put, Iowa State is not a very good football team outside of Ames.

The Cowboys shouldn’t have much problem at all with the Cyclones in Stillwater unless the youth comes out, but by week five, youth won’t be much of an excuse anymore.

Look for the Oklahoma State offense to start getting in sync and start to put points on the board, relieving pressure from the young Oklahoma State defense.

Week six: At Kansas, win, 35-10 (5-1)

I’m not sure why Kansas even plays football anymore to be honest. I think the Jayhawks would have a better chance at winning football games in the Big 12 if they rolled their basketball team on the field.

The mid-season bye for the Cowboys won’t be much of a game from start to finish, and the Pokes will remain unbeaten in conference play as they prepare to head into the gauntlet of their schedule.

Week seven: At TCU, loss, 21-17 (5-2)

I tossed and turned trying to come up with a reason Oklahoma State would go into Fort Worth and take down the Horned Frogs, but I simply could not come up with a viable one.

The Cowboys will struggle offensively against a stout TCU defense. The young but talented defense will keep the Pokes in the game, but the lack of offense in this game will be too much to overcome for Gundy and his staff.

The Frogs will hand the Orange and Black their second loss of the season and first in Big 12 play.

Week eight: West Virginia, win, 34-31 (6-2)

What a better way to bounce back after your first Big 12 Conference loss than to do it against former OSU offensive coordinator Dana Holgerson.

This game simply came down to who was playing at home. If this matchup was taking place in Morgantown, I would have picked the Mountaineers to take it 34-31, but since this game is staying in the great state of Oklahoma, I’m going to go with the Pokes in a close one.

Gundy will top Holgerson after WVU shocked OSU a year ago on their home field.

Week nine: At Kansas State, loss, 35-21 (6-3)

This was one of the easiest picks of the schedule for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys simply will not have the experience to go into the Little Apple and take down Bill Snyder and his beloved Wildcats.

It wouldn’t matter where this game was being played, I would pick KSU 1,000 times again. Kansas State will be more fundamentally sound and have more composure than the young Pokes, and that’s a bad way to be against Snyder and Co.

The ‘Cats will dominate this game from start to finish.

Week 10: Texas, win, 27-21 (7-3)

I just couldn’t pick Texas.

Will Texas be more talented than Oklahoma State? Yes. Will Texas be tougher physically and mentally with Charlie Strong as their head coach than in years past? Yes. Does that mean they will come into Stilly and get a W? No.

The Cowboys defense will show up in the game following the dismantling at the hands of K-State. The offense will do enough to get by Strong’s defense and give the Pokes the rare win over the Longhorns in Stillwater.

Week 11: At Baylor, loss, 45-14 (7-4)

This one will be the major clunker of the season for Oklahoma State. Baylor is going to have one of, if not the best and most powerful offenses in the nation in 2014, so to expect the Cowboys to take a young defense into Waco and compete is going to be a tall task.

Both the offense and the defense will struggle big time in this game and the Pokes will suffer a beating at the hands of the Bears.

Week 12: At Oklahoma, loss, 33-14 (7-5)

The annual Bedlam clash between the Sooners and the Cowboys will once again be exciting to watch.

Last year’s version had everyone in the state on the edge of their seats with Oklahoma fans getting the last laugh over the Cowboy faithful in the Sooners’ shocking comeback win.

OSU will fight tooth and nail to stay in this game against the powerful OU team, who will have their sights set on the college football playoffs.

County Commissioner meeting gets heated

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By Daniel Lapham,

Canadian County budget talks turned heated Monday afternoon when District 2 Commissioner David Anderson questioned how much is being spent to operate the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Randall Edwards took exception to the argument made by Anderson.

The verbal scuffle between the sheriff and the commissioner came after an across-the-board 3 percent pay hike for all county employees was approved.

Commissioners met with department heads to discuss adjustments to the 2015 fiscal year budget. The adjustments also resulted in a $1,200 raise for the fair board secretary as well as a payment to the Central Oklahoma Water Resources Authority, known as COWRA.

County Clerk Shelley Dickerson presented the adjustments, that moved the budget from the red into the black.

“If you remember last month we were down $599,000 in our general fund and now we are up $214,482,” Dickerson said. “I want to show you what changed to make the difference. As you know, there are two ways to adjust a budget, revenue and expenditures. There was a $149,000 gain in revenue and the rest was achieved through adjustments in expenditures.”

Dickerson presented the pay-hike proposal to the commissioners. She said the hike would be for the 334 county employees, and would cost $256,383. In addition to the raise, Dickerson said a $24,000 fee paid to COWRA was included.

Dickerson said the adjustments would leave the general budget in the red by just over $67,000.

Discussion then focused on how to trim the $67,000 so the budget could move back into the black. That’s when talks turned heated.

Anderson presented numbers that he said show the county is spending too much to operate its sheriff’s office.

“I have been doing a lot of research lately into county governments across Oklahoma,” Anderson said. “I have been studying this abstract of county data published by Oklahoma State University.”

The abstract details statistics related to county government spending, size and demographics. Anderson cited out four counties he said are “statistically” similar to Canadian County.

“I prepared these pie charts showing the percentage of general fund dollars that go to support the sheriff’s departments in Comanche, Rogers, Payne and Creek counties,” Anderson said. “To be fair, the other counties’ sheriff’s departments receive only a portion of their funding from the general fund, the rest comes from sales tax.”

Canadian County’s sales tax, collected at one-third of a cent, is dedicated to the Gary Miller Children’s Justice Center. Anderson said other counties have a similar sales tax percentage, but those choose to use it for the operation of the sheriff’s office.

As Anderson began to lay out his statistics, Edwards began to become noticeably agitated.

“We are one of the fastest growing counties in the country and we have two of the safest cities in the state,” Edwards said. “We do what we need to, to protect the citizens of Canadian County and keep a higher quality of life here in our county. We are responsible for keeping that trash out of our county.”

After a pause, Anderson continued.

“We in Canadian County dedicate more to the sheriff’s department than any of the other counties,” he said. “We spend 40 percent of our general fund to fund the sheriff’s department. We cannot continue to dedicate so much of the general fund without sacrifice.”

Anderson said Edwards is asking for $144,000 to cover out-of-county inmate costs that are not reimbursed by the state because they are in and out of county custody within 72 hours. In addition, Edwards requested an additional $110,000 to cover increased fuel costs, Anderson said.

“We cannot afford to pay both,” Anderson said. “I want you to choose one. I would like to see you present us with a budget with $100,000 less coming out of our general fund.”

Edwards was not impressed.

“Just go ahead and take it,” Edwards said, his voice raising with emotion.

The sheriff continued to rebut Anderson, saying the funds they receive from the county are still not enough to cover expenses.

“We use our cash funds to cover our operational expenses. I am pretty sure this is even illegal but you leave us with no choice,” Edwards said.

District 3 Commissioner Jack Stewart asked the sheriff for clarification on what he meant.

“So what you are saying is you spend more than you get from us?” Stewart asked. “What is the compromise?”

County Assessor Matt Wehmuller agreed to absorb some of the cuts by reducing his budget to an increase of 4 percent with the understanding the sheriff’s office would also lower its increase to 4 percent.

Stewart made a motion to decrease both the sheriff’s request to a 4 percent increase in addition to the $144,000 requested to fund out- of-county prisoner costs.

The motion was approved in a 3-0 vote.

Softball off to powerful start in 2014

Lexi Vargas One

The Lady Broncos softball team improved to 8-2 overall this season with a 3-0 record last week.

Mustang started the week off with a 6-0 home district win against Norman Aug. 19, and then went 2-0 in the Southmoore Softball Festival last Friday, beating Muskogee 7-6 and Broken Arrow 2-0.website commentary new.qxd

“I thought we played well last week,” Mustang head coach Bryan Howard said. “We probably gave up too many runs early in the game to Muskogee, but I like the way we battled back. BA is always one of the better teams in the state, so I am really pleased with that win.”

Against Norman, the Bronco girls and Lady Tigers were scoreless through the first five and a half innings until Mustang broke it open in the bottom of the sixth by scoring all six runs.

Senior right-hander Jayden Chestnut was in the circle against Norman and went the distance in the contest. Chestnut took a no-hitter into the top of the seventh when NHS got its only base knock of the game.

The hard-throwing senior finished the night with seven strikeouts and one walk allowed.

The Lady Broncos finished the game with seven total hits. Mustang finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman third baseman Karis Clark drove in two runs with a single to center field.

Senior shortstop Caisey Jones was up to bat next and put a ball in play, forcing Norman into an error and scoring two more runs.

Freshman outfielder Katelyn Thomas then drove the fifth run with a single of her own. The sixth and final run of the inning was knocked in by freshman second baseman Zoe Jones.

Chestnut held the Lady Tigers in the top half of the inning, securing the victory for the Lady Broncos.

Mustang played Muskogee in the first game of the Southmoore Softball Festival on Friday afternoon and took down the Roughers 7-6.

Freshman pitcher Kylie Dodson returned to the circle after being sidelined with a foot injury for several games.

Dodson was rusty in the first couple of innings back as Muskogee put several runs on the board against the young right-hander.

Dodson settled down and kept the Lady Roughers from breaking the game open, which allowed Mustang to come back and get the one-run victory. Chestnut came into the game in the last inning to close it out for MHS.

In their second and final game of the Southmoore Festival, the Lady Broncos took on Broken Arrow, which year-in and year-out is one of the top softball teams in Oklahoma.

Chestnut was back in the circle for the Bronco girls against the Lady Tigers and she was dominant as she shut out BA 2-0.

Mustang returned to action this week with three games on the schedule.

The Lady Broncos hosted Lawton Ike on Monday evening. They travel to Moore for a 6:30 district showdown tonight, and tomorrow host Edmond North at 6:30 p.m. for an important district matchup.

“We are getting more used to playing in big games every week,” Howard said. “It seems like every week we have one or more big games, so it’s important we continue to get better and grow as a team.”

County Fairgrounds to expand

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By Daniel Lapham,

The Canadian County Free Fair just celebrated its 60th year and members of the board who oversee the event were busy over the four-day fair asking people about the next 60 years.

Members of the fair board were on hand during the fair, passing out and collecting surveys asking county residents their thoughts on a possible new fairgrounds. Fair board vice chair Dan Wedman said more than 100 surveys were turned in during the fair.

“Right now we are looking at doing some more survey work across the county to get more information on public interest,” Wedman said. “We have an independent firm that has offered to donate services to tabulate the survey results so we can have all of the information together to present to the public.”

The current fairgrounds was built in the 1950s, on North Country Club in El Reno. With about seven acres, the site is fairly well landlocked. Wedman said for now the main goal is to get an idea of what Canadian County residents might want in the way of a new fairgrounds.

“Once we get their input, then the fair board can react with what the public wants. We do know the size of the county has grown exponentially,” Wedman said. “If we want to stick our heads in the sand we can, but if we want to keep up with the growth of the county, we need to look at our potential growth.”

The survey asked questions like “Do you think renovated or new facilities would better serve existing and attract new events?” and “Do you think relocation of the fairgrounds to a larger, more accessible site should be considered?”

Wedman said right now 75 to 80 percent of the survey-takers were in favor of better, newer accommodations and a location that is more accessible.

“If we are going to build for the future, we need to build in an area that will allow for future growth,” he said. “We are asking questions about what areas do you use and how many times do you attend a year? We, as a fair board, are excited about where we are. All three of our county commissioners are on board and are pushing forward to find out the information we need to better serve the Canadian County community.”

The idea for a new fairgrounds has been discussed for several years. In 2007, members of the fair board talked about possibly locating a new fairgrounds on county-owned land, just east of the Gary Miller Children’s Justice Center on state Highway 66. Fair board members have said other locations are being considered as well.

Volleyball struggles in week two

Emma Hudson One

Tougher competition spelled trouble for the Mustang volleyball team in week two of the season as they dropped four matches.

The Lady Broncos had a record of 3-4 in the second week of the year, but kept their overall winning record intact with a 7-5 mark through their first 12 matches of 2014.

The Bronco girls opened up dual play last week with two home duals against Putnam City North and Edmond Santa Fe.website commentary new.qxd

Mustang hosted PC North on Aug. 19, defeating the Lady Panthers three games to none. Their second dual of the week wasn’t as kind to MHS as they took on defending Class 6A state champion Edmond Santa Fe and fell to the Lady T-Wolves three games to none for their second loss of the season.

“I didn’t think our attitude as a team was where it needed to be going into the weekend,” Mustang head coach Cailtyn Bernhardt said. “We were pretty down on ourselves heading into the Westmoore tournament after what happened against Edmond Santa Fe. We carried that into the match against Bishop McGuinness and it felt like we were already defeated before it began.”

The Lady Broncos then traveled south to Westmoore High School to compete in the Jaguar Volleyball Invitational last Friday and Saturday.

Mustang played five matches in the tournament, winning two and losing three. The Bronco girls defeated Del City 3-0 and Carl Albert 3-0 in the event, but fell to Bishop McGuinness 0-3, Westmoore 2-3 and Enid 1-3 in the tournament.

The closest match of the weekend was against Westmoore. The Lady Broncos held a two games to one lead against the Lady Jaguars, but Mustang made too many mistakes down the stretch in the final two games and dropped a nail-biter.

“We were really upset that we lost the match to Westmoore,” Bernhardt said.  “Our girls really felt like that we should have beaten them, but the cool thing about it is, we get another chance at them Monday night. After that loss, the team decided that was enough, and our attitudes changed.”

Mustang is back in action this week as host to two district duals at the Wellness Center at Mustang High School.

The Bronco girls hosted Westmoore on Monday evening and they take on Edmond North at 6 tonight.

“We still have a lot of season left,” Bernhardt said. “We are still growing as a team, so there are going to be rough times and good times. We just have to stay together.”

Hader to be Republican candidate

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Marc Hader will be the Republican candidate in the November general election for District 1 Canadian County commissioner.

Hader, 50, of Surrey Hills defeated El Reno Republican Wes Higgins in the Tuesday runoff election, capturing a little more than 59 percent of the vote, while Higgins received just over 40 percent. In actual numbers, Hader had 1,341 unofficial votes to 927 for Higgins.

Hader said Wednesday he credited his victory to spending a lot of time knocking on doors and meeting people.

In November, Hader will square off with Justin Joe Atkinson, D-El Reno. While the district, which covers most of Piedmont, north Yukon, Surrey Hills and a bit of north El Reno, is predominately Republican, Hader said he won’t take anything for granted. He said he was “trying to get a little rest” on Wednesday, but expects to be back on the campaign trail in the near future.

Hader said he knows Atkinson and they have “met from time-to-time” while campaigning. He said he expects the race to continue to take the high road, saying he and Higgins both ran campaigns based on issues and not on “personalities.”

An engineer who has worked in both the public and private sector, Hader said he wants to bring a “professional” outlook to the commissioner job if elected.

The winner of the November election will replace Phil Carson, who is retiring.