February 2021

El Reno experienced one of its coldest, if not record-setting, periods of winter weather last week as a wave of Siberian air brought sub-zero temperatures and double-digit snowfall totals.

According to meteorologist Phillip Ware with the National Weather Service in Norman, El Reno received between 7 and 8 inches of snow with the first storm that rolled through Saturday night and into Valentine’s Day.

“These are public reports but Calumet had 7 inches and there was an 8-inch total in Piedmont. So it’s safe to say El Reno got somewhere between those totals,” said Ware.

El Reno High School’s girls basketball team did what it needed to do to claim the 2021 Suburban Conference title, beating Noble 78-44 to remain undefeated in league play.

However, winter weather and COVID-19 issues have canceled games with Guthrie and Carl Albert, leaving head coach Jennifer Douglas puzzled on who will be crowned champ.

“Have no idea,” said Douglas.

El Reno’s win over Noble lifted the Indians to 5-1 in conference games and 4-0 in those which count toward the league title. Both Carl Albert and Piedmont have a loss each in the title chase.

With the 2013 combined purpose bond used to construct Calumet’s new secondary and elementary school sites coming off the books in 2022, Superintendent Brandon Voss hopes residents will vote to continue the gains made by the district in the past decade.

“We have gained a lot of momentum the past 10 years and I hope everyone will vote to keep that going,” said Voss.

The school district is asking voters on March 2 to approve a $2.5 million bond to be used for three projects. If approved, it will replace the current bond which will be paid off in March of 2022.

Canadian County has a reported 86 deaths from the COVID-19 virus as of Feb. 17, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

There have been 15,447 cases of the virus in Canadian County as of Feb. 17, an overnight jump of 70 cases as well as two new deaths. The OSDH website shows 14,801 people in the county have recovered since March.

Canadian County remains the state’s fourth highest in total cases and recoveries and eighth in deaths,

El Reno has had 17 deaths, 2,362 cases and 2,264 people recover.

A jury trial is set for a former Yukon teacher who faces up to 25 years in prison for allegedly raping and assaulting a teenager.

Robert Brian Davis, 42, faces felony charges of sexual battery and rape by instrumentation in Canadian County District Court. District Judge Jack D. McCurdy, at a Jan. 27 preliminary hearing, found probable cause that Davis committed the crimes.

A jury trial is set for 9 a.m. May 3 before McCurdy. A motions hearing is set March 11 and call docket April 15.

The University of Central Oklahoma recently announced students named to the university’s honor rolls, a distinction given to those who achieve the highest academic standards.

For the fall 2020 semester, 1,599 students were named to the President’s Honor Roll, an honor achieved by those who recorded a straight-A or 4.0 GPA.

A total of 409 students at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and Sayre completed requirements for either associate, bachelor, master’s or doctoral degrees after the 2020 fall semester. These students can participate in the convocation exercises tentatively scheduled for April 30-May 1 on the Weatherford campus.

Kelly Beck retained his seat on the Canadian County Fair Board, defeating challenger Rick Cacini 32-0. Cacini had actually withdrawn from the race before ballots were cast.

The election was held Saturday at the Educational Building at the Canadian County Fairgrounds.

District 1 Commissioner Marc Hader called the election to order and directed the ballots to be counted and verified. Former Commissioners Chief of Staff John Johnson and state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader counted and audited the ballots to verify the outcome of the election.

I hear a lot about white privilege.

I grew up in Martin County, Kentucky. We were considered one of the poorest counties in the United States.

In April 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his entourage of staff, secret service, media and other politicians swarmed into the county seat of Inez during his war on poverty campaign tour. Johnson and the entourage rode through our town waving and then proceeded on down Route 3, which was less than three miles north of my home place.

Martin Conrad Peters Sr., born Nov. 10, 1938, went to be with Jesus on Feb. 15, 2021. He passed peacefully in his home with his wife of 60 years, Lanoy Ann Peters by his side.

Martin was born on his family farm in Okarche as the fifth of five children. He was baptized Nov. 27, 1938, at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Okarche.

On Jan. 27, 1961, Martin was married to Lanoy Ann Bolin at Bible Baptist Church in El Reno by Pastor Jerry Ervin. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.