May 2020

Memorial graveside services for Dorothy (Dottie) Alzetta Johnson will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in the Geary Cemetery Pavilion with Rev. Charles King and Rev. Ronnie Jacobs officiating. Services are entrusted to Turner Funeral Home.

Services for James E. Garrett Jr. were held Monday in the El Reno Cemetery with Chaplain Lonnie Webb officiating. Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home. Mr. Garrett died May 8, 2020, at his home in El Reno. He was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Shawnee.

A Mother’s Day parade brought out colorful balloons, fire trucks, a police cruiser and dozens of vehicles decorated with signs telling mothers and grandmothers how much they are loved. The parade took place Thursday afternoon outside Saint Katharine’s Retirement Center.

This is the first installment in a series looking back at El Reno Public Schools efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes for El Reno Public Schools officially ended Friday. Missing were the normal class parties, hugs, high-fives and gift exchanges between students and teachers.

El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay, along with principals and central office administration, cooked and handed out dinners to district faculty as part of Teacher Appreciation Day. It was also Taco Tuesday which fell on Cinco de Mayo.

It’s been slow. But at least it’s moving now. El Reno as a whole is creeping back to normal. This includes businesses like boutique shops, hair salons and restaurants. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with problems in the oil industry, hurt businesses all over the county.

The Canadian County Courthouse and Administration Building will remain closed to the public for at least a while longer. County commissioners, following the recommendations of District Judge Jack McCurdy and Court Clerk Marie Hirst, said access to the buildings would remain limited.

Crews working to build the new Canadian County Fairgrounds will have to find another source for water after the Banner Rural Water District rejected a request to tie into an existing waterline.

EL RENO CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Tuesday – May 12, 2020 – 5:30 p.m. El Reno City Council Chambers 101 N. Choctaw Avenue AGENDA In-Person Attendees: Matt White, Mayor Bob Ballhorn, Council Member Ward 2 Tracey Rider, Council Member Ward 4 Teleconference Attendees: JT Chronister, Vice Mayor,...

Fiscal year 2020 started strong and is approaching its end with an unprecedented world health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.