August 2021
Council receives recommendation on rezoning
The city council wanted a recommendation from the Municipal Planning Commission concerning a rezoning request and it is getting one.
Last week members of the MPC voted 5-1 to recommend approval of a request to rezone approximately four acres at 1901 E. Rogers from Suburban Agriculture (A-2) to Residential Estates (R-3). Commission member Mike Murray cast the lone no vote.
COVID-19 numbers continue high, death reported in county
While recoveries from COVID-19 are starting to close the gap on the number of new cases, Canadian County remains the fourth most impacted area in the state for the coronavirus.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health releases updated city and county numbers once per week.
In its July 25 report, the OSDH showed the county with 516 new COVID-19 cases, down 50 from the previous week, but still with an overall infection count of 19,664 since the pandemic began.
Commissioners accept $100,000 REAP grant for rural road project
Canadian County has accepted a $100,000 grant to fund a rural road project.
District 1 County Commissioner Marc Hader applied for Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) funds through the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG).
The county has been approved for a project near 164th Street and Calumet Road. Several miles of roadway need to be improved.
“This will help us a little bit toward modifying the base and paving with asphalt,” Hader said.
Bethany man arrested as suspect in theft from Radio Road site
El Reno police and Canadian County sheriff’s deputies worked together on the arrest of a man in connection with a recent burglary.
Shane Nelson Lott, 35, of Bethany was taken into custody after his alleged involvement of the theft that occurred at Patterson UTI Drilling on Radio Road. The theft took place on Aug. 22, reports said.
Officers were told by witnesses that two men were seen taking copper wire from the site. The wire was estimated to be worth $50,000.
VFW hosting Bedlam Blood Drive
El Reno VFW Post 382 will host a Bedlam Blood Drive Battle on Saturday with donors receiving their choice of an OSU or OU T-shirt.
The blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 and will be in the back meeting room.
To schedule an appointment, call the Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777, or visit obi.org.
Lake hosts drag boat event
A double plume of smoke shoots out the back of Texan Robin Reed’s boat as it digs out of the water off the start line during the 2021 Hunter Showdown on Lake El Reno over the weekend.
It was the season-ending points event for the Southern Drag Boat Association.
Young rivalry
When Piedmont unveiled its new turf field four years ago, El Reno High School’s football team played the spoiler role on the night’s festivities with a 13-point win.
El Reno head coach Chuck Atchison knows the Wildcats have been itching for some payback.
“We went over there four years ago when they opened their new field and won and I know they want to come over here and do the same,” said Atchison.
Indians find big hits, split games in Shawnee tourney
Posting wins in the first and last games, El Reno High School’s softball team emerged from the Shawnee tourney with a 2-2 record but more importantly, an offense hitting its stride.
El Reno improved to 3-6 on the season with wins over Woodward (11-1) and Del City (14-1).
Those were split by losses to Claremore (20-7) and Durant (4-3).
The Indians had 10 players log hits as the squad went 40-of-104 from the plate for a .385 average.
Six of those hits were doubles, two each from Chenoa White and C.C. Medders. Bailey Brothers and Maddie Moss had one each.
Spikers drop matches to ranked foes
El Reno High School’s volleyball team, ranked No.11 in Class 5A, ran into an early-season rough patch with losses in three of five matches last week, including a 2-2 effort in the Community Christian School tourney.
The three setbacks came to ranked teams in Class 5A’s No.3 Carl Albert (2-0), Class 4A’s No.10 Cache (2-0) and Class 3A’s No.2 Community Christian (2-0).
The 2-0 wins were over Blanchard and CCS’ junior varsity in the tourney. The victories left El Reno with an 8-4 overall record.