October 2021

El Reno could be cut up in redistricting with three state representative districts taking a piece of the community.

Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, told the audience at last week’s Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast, growth in Canadian County will cause her House District 60 seat to be less about El Reno and more about the Yukon and Piedmont areas. Baker said the Legislature is scheduled to meet in a special session in November to finalize the redistricting plan.

El Reno High School held its annual all-sports homecoming parade through downtown El Reno last week.

The parade included floats from each of the four classes as well as parade entries from other sports teams, local businesses and past classes.

The EHS band performed and the Heritage Express Trolley carried passengers.

(Tribune photographer/Glen Miller)

El Reno’s Main Street building was named the winner of the Best Facade Rehabilitation under $10,000 at the recent Oklahoma Main Street Awards Banquet.

Main Street programs across the state were celebrated during the 32nd annual event in Oklahoma City.  

The El Reno Main Street office building was constructed in 1920 and housed a number of businesses over the years. The Main Street sign badly needed replacing due to pigeon infestation and the decision was made to use historic photos to determine the appropriate style.

A public hearing is set later this month concerning a petition to annex property into a rural water district between El Reno and Yukon.

The Green Valley Rural Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Management District has consented to a developer’s request to annex a quarter section to build new homes, said El Reno attorney Joseph Weaver.

District 1 County Commissioner Marc Hader said developers “have been looking at” parcels near the Richland community.

“There’s a scarcity of water,” Hader said.

Friday, Oct. 15 is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 9 Yukon School Bond Election and City of El Reno Ward 2 Election, said Canadian County Election Board Secretary Wanda Armold.

Armold said that persons who are U.S. citizens, residents of Oklahoma and at least 17 ½ years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Rising food costs continue to make it challenging for families on limited budgets to put healthy meals on the table, but some relief is on the way.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently recalculated the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) benefits based on family size.

The recalculation will increase SNAP (formerly food stamps) benefits across the nation. In Oklahoma, recipients will receive about $36 extra per person per month.

Funeral services for Mary Etta Flagg will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Wilson Funeral Home with burial following in the El Reno Cemetery.

Mary passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2021. She was born June 2, 1934, in a tent in Fort Gibson to her parents, Jack Miller Gordon and Dollie Holt Gordon. Her birth was the first adventure in a life well-lived.

Juanita Genevia Dorrough was born Aug. 10, 1933, in Paris, Ark., to JC and Zora Dicks. She had one sister and two brothers.

She went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord on Oct. 1, 2021, at 88 years and 51 days. 

Juanita is survived by her husband, Reverend Alda L. Dorrough of El Reno. They were married on June 25, 1951, in Ozark, Ark. They began passing “love notes” to each other in the sixth grade, a love that would last for more than 77 years.

Graveside services for Kenneth Paul Renner were held Saturday at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Okarche with Rev. Jeff Klade officiating. Services were under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Ken died Sept. 28, 2021, at St. Katharine Drexel Retirement Center in El Reno. He was born Feb. 20, 1949, in Kingfisher. He graduated from Omega High School and had a bachelor’s degree in science.

He taught earth science in Yukon, Oklahoma City and Greenfield and also farmed.