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. Proposed fee is 7 percent of the project cost.

Yukon’s Westfahl presented to commissioners a structural condition report for the old Canadian County Jail, which has fallen into disrepair. The written report was provided by SAI Engineering.

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 banquet, which was originated by EHS in 1993, was held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. It drew a crowd of education supporters, family and friends of the four individuals being honored.

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.

A committee was tasked with researching the drivers ed issue and that report is expected to be made public at the upcoming meeting.

In years past, a teen couldn’t wait to turn 16 and get their driver’s license. It was a rite of passage into adulthood.

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.

Snacks will be sold window to window, cash only, and there will be props set up outside for photo opportunities.

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.

Fellow elected officials, county employees, family and friends attended Rider’s swearing-in ceremony.

Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse administered the oath.

After receiving congratulations from Judge Hesse, Rider introduced her family members and acknowledged supporters in the audience.

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.

Commissioners approved a resolution to sponsor a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application and maintenance agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

By a 2-1 vote, commissioners agreed to apply for up to $4 million in federal funds for the first three phases of a proposed five-phase project in District 3.

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.

That conviction – in a case filed in April 2018 – initially resulted in a 10-year suspended sentence, community service and the payment of fines and costs.

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.

Redlands, designated a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) program, partnered with Western to submit a proposal for the NASNTI Part A Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant.

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.

Senior Brody Sadler placed second in original oratory and third in domestic extemporaneous speaking.

Senior Riley Black was named tournament champion in humorous interp, and senior Kylie Bailey placed second in dramatic interp and qualified for regionals in poetry. 

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.

This seminar is focused on the future growth of direct beef sales to consumers from area beef producers.

This program will educate Oklahoma farmers and ranchers on the sequential steps they need to take to begin their new business venture, as they begin to sell their branded beef to consumers through various marketing campaigns.