July 2021

CENTRAL Overholser: July 6. Elevation above normal, water low 80s and clearing. Striped bass (hybrids) slow on crawfish and flukes in the main lake and along shorelines. Channel catfish good on cut bait and worms around points and shorelines. Bluegill good on crickets and worms along shorelines.

El Reno Regional Airport has been a busy place. Last week the airport welcomed youngsters to what is believed to be the first ever aviation camp. It also played host to an international flight crew that specifically chose to train here because of the airport’s grass runway.

El Reno had a three-day celebration for the Fourth of July. The Canadian County History Museum museum hosted an evening of celebration last Friday that included fried-onion hamburgers as well as other food concessions and live music.

Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, was elected last week as vice chair of the Education Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). Baker, a former teacher, currently serves as the chair of the House Common Education Committee.

The latest medical marijuana shop to sprout in El Reno is the Red Dirt Botanicals located at 1301 S. Choctaw. The business, owned by Phillip Church and Matt Maune, celebrated its grand opening last week.

After a sluggish 2020 due to COVID-19, Canadian County use tax revenues have rebounded through the first half of 2021. Between January and June, Canadian County has collected $841,775 in use tax income from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

A new mural will be painted on an outside wall at the Canadian County Health Department’s El Reno office. Canadian County commissioners have approved a façade easement indenture with the city of El Reno to allow the mural display behind the CCHD building at 100 S. Rock Island.

El Reno police arrested a man June 29 after he was found to be allegedly intoxicated while driving and in the possession of numerous firearms. Reports said Peter Novak was taken into custody after he allegedly wrecked his vehicle in the parking lot at 1508 W. Elm.

I sometimes wish Independence Day occurred during the school year so students, parents and educators could celebrate America’s birthday, but then I remember that fireworks and school do not mix. Just ask my high school principal about an incident involving firecrackers in the cafeteria.

Around 75 campers across Oklahoma recently graduated from the SAGE STEAM Camp held at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.