August 2022

Who better than the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to report on a conference of Anglican bishops?

Canadian County Free Fair patrons can plan on having a royally good time this year, thanks to a day-long fair visit on Aug. 27 by reigning Miss United States Agriculture Oklahoma Teen Raylynn Kubik.

The Newkirk Middle School eighth-grader officially obtained her crown this month and looks forward to traveling the state and sharing her love of agriculture with others.

When Lynda Landrith thinks of the Canadian County Free Fair, she thinks of kids, livestock and fun. And she would know what makes for a good fair because she has attended and volunteered for an astounding 54 years.

A bit of a local celebrity at the fair, Landrith is gearing up for her 45th year of volunteering for the county-wide event, scheduled for Aug. 24-27 at the Canadian County Expo Center, 3001 Jensen Road.

El Reno High School's football program hosted a Saturday morning skills clinic for some of the most devoted fans – the mother figures of the players.

More than two dozen joined players from both junior high and high school squads for “Moms 101” which covered the basics of what players go through during a regular practice day.

Sixty voting precincts in 55 polling places will be open for Tuesday’s runoff primary election in Canadian County, which officials say has seen remarkable growth in registered voters in less than two years.

In October 2020, Canadian County had 88,787 registered voters.

A plan to build some 360 homes on Southeast 27th Street got the same reception from the El Reno City Council as it did earlier from the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC).

The plan was voted down 3-2, although one of the no votes was actually an abstention which apparently counts as a no vote.

The city of El Reno presented certificates of appreciation last week to longtime Carnegie Library supporters Rebecca Garcia and Jeanne Hobson. Mayor Matt White made the presentation at the city council meeting and said the women were “great supporters and friends of the library.”

Both women helped support the renovation of the historic library that included adding an elevator. White said this was important because the Children’s Library is on the second floor and some children with physical limitations were unable to access the second floor. White said that was unacceptable.

If members of the nonprofit group Power of 100 Canadian County have a Santa Claus complex, it would be hard to blame them.

They go around and spread an awful lot of cheer.

Members of Power of 100 recently presented Youth and Family Services with a check for $17,300. The presentation was followed by a tour of the complex. YFS Executive Director John Schneider described his reaction as surprised by the check presentation.

“I didn’t realize it would be this much,” he said.

El Reno photographer Ed Zweiacher “localized” last week’s Sturgeon moon with this shot capturing the impressive moon serving as a backdrop for the El Reno Route 66 emblem that is part of the Rock Island overpass.

The Supermoon is said to be the last of this year.

The world lost a giant recently when Bill Russell, the all-star center who led the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA championships during his playing career from 1956 to 1969, passed away.

Only Wilt Chamberlain had more career rebounds than Russell, who revolutionized the center position by his phenomenal ability to block shots.

The 6-foot-10 basketball star was also the first black head coach in any major American sports league.