November 2020

Maple A Honor Roll, front row from left, Erica Niles, Grady Menz, Hunter Lorenzen, Stoney Baker, Hayden Rosholt, Gavin Basler, Kaelyn Racca, Aydan Troncoso, Colsen Blagg, Rhett Davis, Audrey Eisenhour, Zuri Lewis, Halle Hunt, Lane Hudson and Katie Ellis; middle row, Joshua Bass, Raquel Seymour, Dominic Steinbruck, Ashtyn Stokes, Lexi Porter, Jackson Arnold, Easton Schmidt, Garett Moss, Payton Blagg, Halli Ferguson, Graham Phillips, Lexi Richardson and Kassidy Ferguson; back row, Ethan Brooks, Quinn Charmasson, Presley Bilderback, Pierson Brandley, Emercyn Looper, Maelee Moss, Brantlie Charm

The Okarche High School speech team recently conducted one of Oklahoma’s first virtual speech tournaments. Due to COVID-19, many speech and debate contests are choosing to host online rather than have traditional in-person competitions. In a virtual speech tournament, students who compete in memorized, rehearsed events submit videos of their performances.

Students who compete in live events utilize computer microphones and cameras. Judges evaluate the performances and submit their ballots online. Twelve schools submitted entries to the contest.

Martin Wayne Hoselton was born to Gordon K. and Georgie (Turner) Hoselton in El Reno on Jan. 5, 1961. He attended El Reno Public Schools, graduating from El Reno High School in May 1979. 

Martin worked at Champlain’s Gas Station for his parents while growing up, and Page Air Field, Acme Brick Company, Johnson’s Oil Company and National Oil Supply before he married Barbara Ann Buxton on Jan. 30, 1982.

After his marriage he worked at Weatherford International, Blowout Tools, Wildcat Oil Tools and Yellowjacket.

Jeffrey Dean Bollinger, 58, of Tulsa, passed from this life on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, with family by his side.

He was born Jan. 15, 1962, in El Reno to his parents, Jerald Gene Bollinger and Micki Ann Schumacher Bollinger. He married Bridget Mary Detloff on Dec. 4, 1993, in Tulsa, and they have shared over 26 years together.

An Indian Taco Benefit is planned Sunday at the American Legion, 2101 Sunset Dr. with proceeds going to the Darren Moore Memorial Fund.

The benefit will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted. The event is dine in or carry out or delivery is available. For delivery call Jayci Hicks at 405-543-9396.

Organizers are asking for donations. The Indian Taco also comes with a drink.

El Reno residents have until 5 p.m. Sunday to dump tree limbs at no charge at the Lake El Reno collection site.

Mayor Matt White made the announcement at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Contractors hired by the city to collect limbs in neighborhoods throughout town will continue to do so through Nov. 22. White said once all neighborhoods have been canvassed, the contractors will make another final sweep through town to gather any limbs that weren't placed near the street in the earlier collection.

The Ninth Annual Canadian County Veterans Day Parade rolled through the streets of downtown El Reno Sunday, filled with patriotic fanfare to salute those who answered our nation’s call.

The event was sponsored by the El Reno Chamber of Commerce and led by El Reno Girl Scouts carrying the American and Oklahoma flags and that of their organization.

Music played by El Reno High School’s Pride of El Reno Marching Band echoed through the streets. The band was followed by emergency vehicles from the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office and the El Reno Fire Department.

El Reno picked up a pair of statewide honors recently when a well-known educator and a young aviation expert were recognized for their accomplishments.

The honors came from the Journal Record newspaper and the NextGen organization.

Dr. Kristy Ehlers, director of School Partnerships and the director of the BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center, was named one of the Women of the Year for 2020 by the Oklahoma City-based newspaper.

Adam Fox, who this year was named manager of the El Reno Regional Airport, was recognized as one of Oklahoma’s top leaders under the age of 30.

Facing a bye week during what is now termed the play-in round of the Class 5A playoffs, El Reno High School’s football team needed a stellar performance in its regular-season finale to keep the momentum running high.

“It was important that we keep our competitive edge going. It’s playoffs starting next week and that’s when it all matters. Our game plan was to come out here and take care of business and get some players that don’t get to play much some reps before playoff time,” said running back Darius Moore.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is asking the public to offer input on a new intersection design for SH 66 and Banner Road. A statement from ODOT said it is partnering with Canadian County commissioners to provide safety improvements to the intersection. A Yukon businessman was killed at the intersection in 2019 after his motorcycle collided with a truck that had reportedly ignored a yield sign.