July 2021

After losing three races to Wade Kokendoffer at last year’s Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races, two of those in event finals, El Reno driver Matt Miller promised something new in 2021 for his longtime rival. “He has ruled the classes and has gotten the better of me in the last few years.

Workers were busy last week laying, stretching and then stitching the new turf field at Memorial Stadium. The project has a scheduled finish date of early August.

Visitors driving down either Choctaw or Rock Island avenues, day or night, will not have a hard time finding the exact location of El Reno High School’s main building or adjacent STEM Center. Just look for giant new ER logos.

State transportation officials say they “remain committed” to making a permanent safety upgrade at the State Highway 66/Banner Road intersection. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation continues to work through the engineering design of several alternatives discussed with the public.

New home construction in El Reno continued on an aggressive pace with the city reporting 19 permits being issued in June. Shelly Dalla Rosa in the Community Development Office reported the June numbers push the total permits for this year to 94.

A native of El Reno, Harvey Pratt is a 2021 Oklahoma Hall of Fame honoree. He will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Nov. 18. Born in El Reno, Pratt spent his childhood years in El Reno Public Schools.

Representatives from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently toured El Reno Regional Airport at the invitation of Airport Manager Adam Fox. Fox served with the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission before being named airport manager here two years ago.

At the recent virtual fundraiser for the Center of Family Love, one of the hottest auction items was the Grand Dinner. The Grand Dinner is an event created by Oklahoma City restaurants and providers exclusively for the Center of Family Love.

El Reno’s VFW Post 382 will treat veterans and their family members to breakfast July 17 to help answer questions concerning what is available after a loved one who served passes away. Nancy Salsman with the VFW said the breakfast will be served starting at 9 a.m. at the VFW, 1515 S. Rock Island.

Canadian County Republicans are hosting their Third Annual Cookout on Saturday, July 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at the El Reno Public Safety Center on SW 27th Street. El Reno Mayor Matt White will again preside over the grill making fried onion burgers.