December 2022

Although cost estimates still must be developed, Canadian County commissioners have agreed to use a construction manager to oversee a possible historic jail preservation project. Commissioners voted 3-0 to engage Erick Westfahl of Redhawk Construction to provide construction management services.

It was an emotional evening as the El Reno Public Schools Foundation paid tribute to the 2022 Class of Distinguished Alumni, as well as a longtime music teacher who earned a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The El Reno School Board is expected to hear a report related to drivers education at its Dec. 12 meeting. Drivers ed hasn’t been available at the high school for the past 17 years.

For a third year the EHS Theatre will present a live radio version of It's a Wonderful Life Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. For a $10 fee per car, listeners can pull up to the parking lot south of the high school and listen to the live broadcast.

Canadian County’s newest commissioner is getting up to speed as she takes an early start in her new position. El Reno’s Tracey Rider took the oath of office last week as the new District 3 county commissioner.

Canadian County officials are moving forward with plans to make safety improvements along historic Route 66 in El Reno and to the west as part of a national bicycle route.

A Canadian County man remains at large after failing to comply with court orders in the wake of a criminal felony conviction. Canadian County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Jeffery Alan Helms, 48, who pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of a stolen vehicle in September 2020.

Health care in rural Oklahoma continues to be impacted by a lack of providers, but a five-year federal grant totaling $2.75 million awarded to Redlands Community College and Western Oklahoma State College in Altus is designed to address the shortage.

Members of the Okarche High School speech team recently earned second-place sweepstakes honors in Class 3A from competition in Marlow. In addition, OHS qualified 14 events for the regional speech and debate competition later in 2023.

The Canadian County OSU Extension Center will host From the Ranch to the Table Direct Beef Marketing Seminar on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Canadian County Education Building at the old fairgrounds located at 220 N. Country Club Road.