January 2022

For the second time this month, El Reno High School’s boys basketball team has dropped two games in tournament play after losing a 69-60 rematch game with Shawnee. The loss to the Wolves, ranked 17th in Class 5A, came in the consolation finals of the 2022 Shawnee Invitational.

In the first of two meetings over seven days, Calumet High School’s boys basketball team dropped a 64-60 game to Class A’s top-ranked Hydro-Eakly in the finals of the 2022 West Central Tournament. Calumet, ranked sixth in the same poll, slipped to 16-5 on the season with the loss to the Bobcats.

Taytim Woods scored 14 or more points in all three games as Union City High School’s girls basketball team won the consolation championship at the 2022 Paden Pirates Invitational. The Tigers moved to 10-8 on the season with a 65-59 win over Carney in the consolation title game.

The city of El Reno and the public school district may partner on a master plan related to possibly building some type of community center/sports complex. Mayor Matt White discussed the issue at last week’s city council meeting.

A semi-truck hauling pallets of 9-volt batteries jackknifed Wednesday afternoon and brought traffic on I-40 to a halt. El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff said the batteries caught fire. It took several hours for the scene to be cleared.

A law enforcement investigation was conducted last week that involved the FBI in Calumet. An FBI spokesman said he could not provide any information about a Calumet investigation. “Due to the ongoing investigation, I can’t say anything,” said FBI spokesman Connor Hagan.

A Canadian County burn ban has been extended two more weeks. Canadian County commissioners last week approved continuing the outdoor burning prohibition due to an “extreme fire danger” caused by dry, windy conditions.

Candidate filing will open next week for three seats on the Canadian County Fair Board. The board is comprised of nine members, three serving from each county commissioner district. Each year, three fair board seats are up for election.

SSM Health Medical Group said Dr. George Ghata has joined its practice. Ghata is a primary care physician who specializes in sports medicine.

Redlands Community College recently hosted a visit from Chancellor Allison Garrett, the new leader of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.