July 2021

Canadian County CASA Inc. (Court Appointed Special Advocates) recognizes longtime volunteer Alex Corbitt.

For seven years, Corbitt has served as a volunteer advocate speaking up for the best interests of children in the child welfare system on five different cases, with his longest case now running for six years.

Prior to joining CASA as a volunteer, Corbitt worked with both CASA of Oklahoma County and the Department of Human Services.

It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of Jackson Ross Phillips announce his passing on July 16, 2021.

Jackson was born July 14, 1993, in Cerritos, Calif. He moved with his family to Woodward in 1996 where he then attended Woodward Public Schools while also studying at High Plains Vo-Tech and became a state certified welder.

Funeral services for Joan Marie Williams were held Tuesday in the Benson Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jeff Klade and Deacon Max Schwarz officiating. Burial followed at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Okarche. Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Joan passed away July 15, 2021, at her home in Kingfisher. She was born Nov. 29, 1953, in Paris, Ark. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, El Reno.

Funeral services for J.R. White will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Benson Memorial Chapel, under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

J.R. passed away July 17, 2021, at his home in El Reno. He was born June 1, 1944, in Geary. J.R. was a member of the Baptist church and American Legion Post 34. He worked in the maintenance department at Great Plains Correctional Facility and in the construction field for many years.

Funeral services for Wanda Marie Hatcher will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel, with burial following in the Red Rock Cemetery. 

Under regulations approved by the State Board of Education, school districts could lose accreditation and teachers could lose their licenses if they violate a new state law that bans the teaching of concepts associated with Marxist-derived Critical Race Theory.

The board’s action came after members of the public — including teachers, racial minorities and parents — urged adoption of the rules.

The sun shone bright over a bank of clouds last week overlooking Lake El Reno.

The lake will be a busy place this weekend as the annual Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races begin a three-day run Friday.

WASHINGTON - Oklahomans may soon be able to get their medical marijuana treatments outside of state lines.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) this week released a draft of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.

El Reno Main Street, in conjunction with Lucky Star Casino, will be hosting a “Christmas in July” shopping event downtown on Friday, July 23. The sidewalk sale will run from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Shoppers can browse special deals from downtown merchants including Fringe, Ross Seed and Feed, Bronze Seal, Kalakotee & Co., Make It Sew, Touch of Grace Spa, Cocobella’s, El Reno Main Street, Butts Flowers and Gifts, Junkyard Diva, Lokal Okie Photography and Bling Box.

Halloween is months away but flying bloodsuckers have invaded not only El Reno but communities throughout Canadian County and the state of Oklahoma.

Cooler spring temperatures and higher than normal rainfall totals from May through June and into early July have caused mosquito populations to explode.

“I had a meeting last week with all the city managers in our region and we are all experiencing similar problems with mosquitoes. It was a problem last year and it seems to be a problem again this year,” said El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge.