February 2021

With limited or no running water in El Reno for over a week, commercial businesses that rely on the service had to take drastic measures until full pressure was restored.

National fast food chains along Country Club Road either closed their doors or scaled back product offerings.

McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Subway, Arby’s and Burger King were all closed on Feb. 23, one week after water service went dry.

Casey’s General Store temporarily shut down its fresh deli and pizza service, while Braum’s remained open, but did close one day.

Just one day after the state opened Stage 2 of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s vaccination plan for educators in grades kindergarten through 12th, El Reno Public Schools started the process of inoculating teachers.

Teachers and staff for both Roblyer and Lincoln Learning Centers, not already vaccinated through the state portal system, were given the first round of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The vaccinations were given at Roblyer Learning Center.

For the first time in its 23-year-history, Blessing Baskets will host a Spring Break Food Distribution for up to 250 families that may be struggling to put food on the table.

Blessings Baskets will partner with The Lord’s Harvest for the March 9 food giveaway. The food will be distributed at the El Reno Learning Center, 503 S. Keith, from 4 to 7 p.m. that day.

To be eligible, families need to sign up at the office of the Canadian County Community Action Agency, 203 N. Bickford.

A plan to build storage units near a residential area drew strong opposition at last week’s meeting of the Municipal Planning Commission.

The proposal was part of a rezoning request by Charles Holbrook to rezone about four acres located between SW 25th Street and SW 27th Street from Single-Family Residential (R-1) to Restricted Commercial (CR).

The zoning change was requested by Holbrook so he could sell the property to the owners of Country Club Storage.

Bald eagles are living at Fort Reno. And if you keep an eagle eye out, you may spot them.

That’s exactly what El Reno’s Dr. Caitlin Rottler has been doing. A scientist, Rottler, who is a Research Fellow with the USDA Agricultural Research Center and the USDA Southern Plains Climate Hub, works from her office at Fort Reno.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Girl Scouts across the nation to find creative ways to sell their annual treats.

Here, sisters Makayla and Chloe Owen hold up signs to attract passing motorists at a drive-up sales site at a church on Elm Street recently.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that could lower the need for emergency certified teachers in public elementary schools and early childhood education programs passed unanimously in the House with a vote of 86-0.

House Bill 2748, by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, would allow a teacher candidate that holds a doctorate, a master’s or a bachelor’s degree to teach for two years while completing required coursework and participating in a mentor program provided by the school district prior to taking state certification exams.

Last week’s sub-zero arctic temperatures made getting around Lake El Reno a bit different for waterfowl that frequent the area.

On June 23, 1972, President Nixon signed Title IX into law.

This landmark legislation had one goal in mind: to protect women from sex discrimination in all federally funded school programs, including sports.

Because of the access to funding and opportunity this historic legislation created, there has been a 545 percent increase in the number of women playing college sports and a 990 percent increase in the number of women playing high school sports.

LAWSUITS

Jerry Ashford, individually and as father of Isabella J. Ashford, a minor vs. Ian C. Ragsdale for $16,000 as compromise settlement.

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC vs. Ashlee Taylor for $22,981.87 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Steven M. Resendez vs. Kayte R. Rush for an amount not to exceed $100,000 for alleged damages.

Terry’s American HVAC Inc. vs. Mark Stanke and Ladana Stanke for $15,399.36 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.