November 2020

El Reno’s First Baptist Church will be the local drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child, an international project of Samaritan’s Purse.

The goal is to help provide children worldwide with items such as school supplies, hygiene items and toys and mostly to let them know of God’s love for them and all children.

Known as Shoebox Gifts, Operation Christmas Child has been delivering the items throughout the world for more than two decades. Franklin Graham, well-known evangelist, has spearheaded the effort.

Lori Finnigan is serving as the El Reno coordinator.

El Reno Mayor Matt White encouraged residents wanting a government-ordered mask mandate to contact state lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt with their concerns.

White made the comments during the Thursday afternoon El Reno Live program that airs on Facebook Live at 3 p.m. each Thursday.

White was asked if he was going to issue a citywide mask mandate in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

El Reno, like the rest of the state, nation and world has seen a spike in cases as many health professionals said would happen with the arrival of cooler weather.

Even county officials voice concerns when they get a water bill that is larger than expected.

Canadian County commissioners, acting as the trustees for the county’s Public Facilities Authority, raised their collective eyebrows last week when a water bill from the Canadian County Water Authority was received for more than $1,200.

The water bill represents service to the new fairgrounds complex being built just east of El Reno.

Three Redlands Community College employees were honored by the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges (OACC) for their contributions to the college.

Todd Hobson was named Outstanding Faculty Member, while Tamie McCabe was recognized as Outstanding Professional Staff Member and Yesenia Mayorga was Outstanding Support Staff Member.

“We have an excellent team of faculty and staff at Redlands, and it’s an honor to recognize individuals each year who have exhibited such dedication to the students and the college,” said Redlands President Jack Bryant.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Bailey Christopher Denny, El Reno, speeding, $185.

Agustin Beltran Ibuado, Las Vegas, speeding, $175.

Shannon Lei Ward, El Reno, expired tag, $165.

Donald Carl Grantham Jr., Oklahoma City, speeding in a construction zone, $495.

Gerardo Martinez, Oklahoma City, speeding and driving without license issued, $427.

Megan Nicole Lallemand, Edmond, speeding, $165.

Jassee Lee Leno, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Rick L. Adams, Okarche, speeding, $165.

As if city of El Reno and OEMA employees didn’t have enough to deal with following the massive ice storm, some prankster thought it would be funny to place this trash cart on top of a shelter at Lake El Reno. Authorities said they were not impressed.

Alternating weeks of warm and cold weather are typical this time of year in the Southern Plains, but the recent cold snap across much of Oklahoma still seemed significant. 

In some ways, that proved to be true: Freezing rain that hit Oklahoma at the end of October caused widespread power outages still being addressed in certain communities and regions.

Roblyer Learning Center collected over 800 pairs of socks to be donated to Socks of Love. Pictured is Raven Bramlett’s fifth-grade class which won the class competition
for donating the most socks.