August 2019

Clock strikes zero

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The clock has hit zero.

El Reno High School’s football team will open up the 2019 season Friday at Memorial Stadium with only one scrimmage under its belt.

“It’s here and we’ve got to get four good days of practice in this week before we open the season,” said El Reno head coach Chuck Atchison.

Friday’s game completes a two-game contract with Poteau in which the schools play in what the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association deems as Zero Week.

Mikey Devereaux (34) closes in to help Brody Robinson tackle a Lawton Eisenhower ball carrier.

Spikers outlast Tuttle in close four-game bill

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El Reno High School’s volleyball team snapped a two-match slide last week and earned its first road victory of the season with a 3-1 decision over Tuttle.

The 25-13/26-24/27-29/25-17 win lifted El Reno to 3-5 on the year and 1-3 in games away from Jenks Simmons Field House.

El Reno High School volleyball players Jennis Goucher (4) and Avery Peffer (19) watch the ball sail wide of their double block attempt during the recent El Reno Invitational. Both players had at least one kill in the win over Tuttle.

Indians FB to host Clinton, Ike on Friday

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Football will have a very vanilla feel for El Reno High School come Friday night as the Indians host a triangular scrimmage with both Clinton and Lawton Eisenhower.

The event was originally set for just Clinton and will serve as the Indians only preseason work.

El Reno opens the 2019 season Aug. 30 with a home game against Poteau.

“I’m just looking for effort and people running to the football. We are not going to scheme either team, just go out there and run our plays,” said El Reno head coach Chuck Atchison.

Gana Nicholson tries to dodge a tackler while clutching the football after catching a swing pass.

From the sidelines: Beard proves with a simple act her school spirit carries on past high school playing days

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School pride, some graduates say, is lost once a student leaves the hallowed halls of high school and enters college or the real world.

If that is a true statement, someone forgot to ask Massey Beard.

The 2018 graduate of El Reno High School begins her second year at Southern Nazarene University and her first term in the nursing program after a year of medical-related basic courses.

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Two file early for El Reno mayor

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El Reno Mayor Matt White filed for re-election on Monday and drew at least one opponent in former longtime school board member Steve Jensen. The filing period closes at 4:30 today, Wednesday, Aug. 28. Filings are done at the Canadian County Election Board.

Election Board Secretary Wanda Armold said as of Monday afternoon no one had filed for the Ward 4 City Council seat that will be on the Nov. 12 ballot along with the mayoral race. Ward 4 is currently represented by Tracey Rider, who said recently she was contemplating whether or not to run.

Matt White (left), and Steve Jensen

Financial hardships closure of Geary Nursing Home; residents relocated

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A combination of events led to the closing of the Geary Community Nursing Home, said the owner.

On Aug. 11, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services terminated the provider agreement for the nursing home. The owner of the home said she then voluntarily closed the center last week.

Residents of the home were transferred to other nursing care centers on Aug. 15.

The closing of the home came as the result of an investigation by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, which had made survey visits to the center in February and June.

Outlook bright for city's health

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When SSM Saint Anthony’s became El Reno's primary health provider on May 1, the arrangement was described as a first for “rural Oklahoma.”

No other community, an SSM official said at the time, would have a 24-hour emergency room provided in conjunction with an Urgent Care Clinic.

Little did anyone know, three weeks later that arrangement would be credited with helping to care for dozens of people who were injured when a late-night killer tornado struck.

“We treated dozens of people,” said Kyle Nondorf, Chief Financial Officer for SSM Saint Anthony’s.

Members of the El Reno Chamber of Commerce gather as Dr. Kevin Lewis cuts the ceremonial ribbon outside the SSM Saint Anthony’s Clinic.

New county fairgrounds deals inked

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County officials have finalized agreements with an architectural firm and a construction management company to build the new Canadian County Fairgrounds.

County commissioners, meeting as the county’s Public Facilities Authority, voted last week to hire Populous, a Norman-based architectural firm, to provide plans for the new complex.

Populous had previously provided preliminary plans for the project and also was involved in a feasibility study.

The vote confirmed actions previously taken by the Board of County Commissioners.

Pictured is an artist rendering of the new Canadian County Fairgrounds. - Courtesy Photo

Police seek sedan in connection with alleged shooting

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El Reno police are looking for a dark-colored four-door sedan after a man was apparently shot around 10:30 Thursday night.

Police said a 31-year-old Indian male was found in the 2500 block of Stone Glen suffering from one or more gunshot wounds.

Police identified the victim as Marvin Scott Twins of El Reno. Reports said he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police reported finding spent shell casings in the area where the man was found as well as articles of his clothing. The vehicle police are looking for may be a Dodge Charger.

Karen Kay Fairchild

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Funeral services for Karen Kay Fairchild will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeff Klade and Marvin Henschel officiating. Interment will be in the Fort Sill National Cemetery at a later date. Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Karen Kay Fairchild