January 2023

Reading with Dolly

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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available in Canadian County.

Started in 1995 by the famous singer, Imagination Library is a foundation created to promote youth reading. One way this is done is by sending children that are signed up a free book every month.

The program is available from birth till the age of 5.

El Reno’s Carnegie Library started working to get accepted into the program in August 2022.

The Snowy Day will be one of the books offered through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program

Supreme Court to hear appeal in fatal crash case

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OKLAHOMA CITY - A Canadian County couple has appealed to the state’s highest court challenging a ruling in a civil suit stemming from a traffic collision near Yukon that killed their teenage daughter.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court will hear an appeal filed by attorneys representing the appellants, Jeffrey and Kristine Murrow.

The central issue to be decided by the state Supreme Court is the legal status of The Springs Events LLC and whether a “duty of care” is owed under the facts of this case.

Jeffrey and Kristine Murrow with their daughter, Marissa

Street closing

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The westbound lane of Wade Street, between Rock Island and Choctaw Avenues in downtown El Reno will be closed for a week once work begins to replace a drain outlet near the Route 66 monument. 

El Reno Streets Superintendent Amy Smith said the work will be done by a contractor for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Traffic for that section is being rerouted one block north.

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Give me a beat!

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Zoey Johnson and Kaleb Roberts play the drums with the El Reno High School Pep Band during a timeout in the girls basketball game with Guthrie recently inside Jenks Simmons Field House.

Give me a beat!_story

Misdemeanor case filed against former election board secretary

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Canadian County’s former election board secretary faces a misdemeanor count, brought against her in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred during the November 2020 general election.

Wanda Armold, 74, faces a single count of “failure to perform duties” as the result of a polling mistake that reportedly led to 1,272 ballots from a single precinct not being counted in time for that election’s certification.

The omission did not impact any Nov. 3, 2020, races, prosecutors said.

Making the grade

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, released his public education agenda last week, which he believes will improve public education outcomes for Oklahoma children.

Pugh, the Senate education committee chairman, outlined four pillars under which he plans to file bills to improve public education in Oklahoma.

The four incentive areas are: recruiting more qualified teachers to Oklahoma classrooms; retaining teachers already in the classroom; rewarding high-performing teachers; and reforming the way public dollars are spent on public education.

Adam Pugh_story

Food safety class tabbed for Jan. 25

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The Canadian County Health Department is hosting a Community Food Safety Class for food establishments from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25.

The class will cover food safety best practices, with an emphasis on food establishments.  

The event will be held on the second floor at the Canadian County Health Department, 100 S. Rock Island Ave. 

Restaurant managers and staff, aspiring food industry professionals and the general public are welcome to attend. 

President Biden taps reserves at U.S. peril

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In the wake of a politically-motivated, multi-country oil embargo that contributed to then-record high fuel prices, global energy shortages and American energy security concerns, Congress established the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Since its inception, the SPR has been both a national security and an energy security asset, helping reduce true energy supply disruptions. Yet, more recently, President Biden has irresponsibly utilized the SPR to cover up his failed policies, rapidly draining America’s petroleum reserves to its lowest levels since 1983.

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Maple A Honor Roll

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Named to the Maple A Honor Roll for the second nine weeks period include, front row from left, Madison Basler, Douglas Bland, Bryson Brandley, Paylynn Smith, Braelyn Hutchings, Abby Bass, Brinley Porter and Sophie Tredway; second row, Blayke Steinbruck, Kinsley Bonilla, Charlee Charmasson, Easton Horn, Audrey Eisenhour, Rhett Davis, Andrew Eisenhour, Halle Hunt, Raina Crawford, Drake Rosholt and Cale Wedman; third row, Lainey Rowell, Colsen Blagg, John Henry Von Tungeln, Kaelyn Racca, Raquel Seymour, Lane Hudson, Alice Park, Payton Blagg, Ayden Overholser, Gavin Basler, Zuri Lewis, John Pri

Maple A Honor roll_Jan 2023

Mark Gilmore

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Mark Gilmore, 68, of El Reno, passed away in his home on Jan. 17, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Mark was born to Thomas James and Polly Sue Gilmore in Okarche on May 9, 1954. He graduated from El Reno High School in 1972. After high school, Mark went on to enjoy a very diverse career, working on the Rock Island Railroad with many of his lifelong friends. His early calling brought him to the Hi-Fi, home and car audio industry, spending almost two decades working for companies such as Soundtrak, Mobile Connections, The Stereo Connection and many major car audio manufacturers.

Mark Gilmore_obituary