July 2022

Residents in the Williamstown and Wessex areas are hoping a plan to drill oil and gas wells near their homes can be stopped.

Revolution Operating Company, LLC has filed an application to drill on property just south of Elm and west of South Reno. Residents in the area are circulating a petition in an effort to stop the operation, saying it would damage property values and most likely put a halt to any further housing or commercial development in the area.

El Reno turned out in a big way last week to support Blessing Baskets Inc. at its annual Festival of the Trees Christmas in July Dinner and Auction.

Organizers said the colorful event, held at the Palace Event Center on Banner Road, exceeded expectations.

This was the seventh annual event and again featured Mayor Matt White serving as auctioneer for the evening.

White auctioned off more than 30 items to go along with more than 50 silent auction items.

Redlands Community College is planning to remake its athletic fields after Regents approved the lease-purchase of another parcel of land next to the campus.

RCC President Jack Bryant got the green light in a special Regents meeting Tuesday to enter into a lease-purchase contract for 10 acres on the west side of the campus.

The land is owned by the Gibson and Ramsey families and was used as an aviation landing strip for many years.

Joy Hofmeister, the Democratic nominee in the upcoming Oklahoma gubernatorial election, toured El Reno recently with a group of supporters from the area.

Hofmeister will face off against Oklahoma governor and Republican nominee Kevin Stitt in November’s general election.

Her visit to El Reno was part of the “Joy for OK Hometown Tour” and was greeted by former El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay and current ERPS School Board President Dr. Dorrie Parrott.

The Power of 100 has been a game-changer for nonprofits and charities in Canadian County. 

Since its inception in October 2020, the group of women has raised $126,000 that has been split among seven entities. Tammy McKee, one of the five original founders of the county group, described the growth as “remarkable.” 

The original goal was to have 20 to 25 members. At last count, the group has 201.

“It’s kind of humbling when the community kind of backs something like this,” McKee said.

Corkey Provence uses a personal water craft to gently guide a small group of waterfowl off the race course on Lake El Reno and to safety before the start of the 2022 Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races.

Provence was one of the event’s volunteers.

A stray rain shower Wednesday night resulted in a double rainbow, first photo, to form over El Reno.

The second photo shows the same rainbow but with just a solo arc visible.

Juanita L. Miklaucic Heckes, 75, departed her earthly life July 18, 2022, after braving a long illness.

Born May 29, 1947, in Walsenburg, Colo., Juanita was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph and Anna Miklaucic. She grew up in Lehigh, Okla., and graduated from Coalgate High School, Coalgate, Okla.

She married Irvin “Wes” Heckes and they enjoyed 48 years of travel and working together in all their businesses. They enjoyed many trips in their motorhome, flying to their lake home and airplane trips to fly-ins all over the country.

The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching.

Applications must be received by the Canadian County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8.

County election board secretary Wanda Armold said absentee voting is available to all voters and can be submitted several ways.

“In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply,” said Armold. “Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail, or even email.”

The 125 descendants of Elmo and Agnes Finnigan held their annual reunion recently at Roman Nose State Park.

Attending were their children, Tim and Danella Finnigan, Pat and Cheryl Finnigan, Willie and Kathleen Finnigan Baeriswyl, Peggy Finnigan Wahweah, Terry and Lorie Finnigan and Jimmy and Sheila Finnigan Cowan.