June 2022

The Fort Reno Visitors Center and Museum has reopened, but could use a little help in the process.

Historic Fort Reno Inc. President Marie Hirst said to help keep the doors open, the board needs volunteers and financial support as it recovers from an extended closure.

The center has been closed for almost three years due to COVID-19 regulations put in place by the federal government. The land is owned by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Ron Shamblin goes up the ladder to paint window frames at the historic stables adjacent to the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.

Betty Johnston with Preservation El Reno Inc. said the work is being done to keep the historic structure in good shape.

Next to the stables, the old Canadian County Jail is in dire need of repairs.

County commissioners are looking for ways to save the structure.

Unlike a year ago when Shanon Eichholz rallied over the final stage to win his division of the Route 66 Triathlon Festival, the El Reno native defended his title over the weekend with everyone else chasing him.

Eichholz captured first place in the Olympic-Distance Duathlon by a double-digit margin on the clock while shaving more than seven minutes off his winning time from 2021.

The three-stage event is the sister to the regular triathlon but participants do not take part in the swimming stage. Instead, an extra running stage is added in its place.

As

El Reno’s Ashlyn Evans-Thompson dives for a loose ball in the first half of the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association’s (OGBCA) Large School All-State Game over the weekend in Mustang.

See Saturday’s edition of the El Reno Tribune for a game recap of her efforts and that of former teammate Tetona Blackowl and head coach Jennifer Douglas.

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Laramie Cypert for $1,192.23 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Bobby Williams for $2,036.35 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Stephanie Doherty for $1,238.04 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Tommy B. Watkins for $5,072.78 to pay a debt plus interest, costs, attorney fees.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) recently released the text of a proposal to suspend patents on COVID-19 vaccines. All WTO members will vote on the proposal in June.

The text won’t take effect unless all 164 members sign on. But if it is approved, companies in developing nations will be allowed to use medical technology from U.S. companies and inventors without their consent or supervision.

El Reno paid respects to those “who gave all” during the annual Memorial Day observance Monday.

Organized by VFW Post 382, the ceremony at the El Reno Cemetery featured moving remarks by an American military hero, Capt. Bob Ford.

A Vietnam helicopter pilot, Ford, now of Okeene, flew more than 1,000 combat missions during his year-long tour of duty in southeast Asia. Ford, then 23, served from July 1967 to July 1968. Missions took Ford to the DMZ, the jungles of Vietnam, Laos and North Vietnam.

In a letter to the city council and department heads, El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge laid out the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 municipal budget.

Sandidge points to a number of accomplishments made by the city as well as an improving financial outlook that could mean a 3 percent cost of living raise for city employees if the budget is adopted by the council.

Below is the letter penned by Sandidge.

Canadian County has added 11 polling places for the upcoming primary election, after voter registration climbed to nearly 92,000.

After redistricting, Canadian County Election Board officials have had to increase the number of voting precincts due to changes in county, state and federal legislative maps – and population growth. Canadian County has increased from 48 precincts in 44 polling places to 60 precincts in 55 locations.

“We finally have the polling places in place,” said Canadian County Election Board Secretary Wanda Armold.