May 2023

Lex Godfrey brought the team from Rigby, Idaho, to El Reno this past week so the land and soil judging crew could compete in the 70th Annual National Land and Range Judging Contest.

The event moved its headquarters to Canadian County for the first time. For years, the contest headquarters was set up in Oklahoma City.

Nick Owen, of the National Conservation and Resource Service, has been involved in 26 prior soil and land judging events. He said moving the headquarters to the Canadian County Expo Center on Jensen Road provides better logistics.

A special May 2 meeting led to Canadina County commissioners ending the employment of Nathan Smith, director and marketing manager of the Canadian County Expo and Event Center.

Commissioner David Anderson released a statement May 3 concerning that decision, advising it came about “after it came to the board’s attention that proper procedures for disposing of excess building materials had not been followed.”

With the growth of the film industry in Oklahoma, Redlands Community College is working with Coleman Television to give more students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.

This partnership was recognized with the 2023 Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award.

“We are always developing and expanding programs to meet workforce demands,” said Jena Marr, interim president at Redlands Community College.

Lake El Reno will be the place to be for kids ages under 4 to 15 as the El Reno Sportsman’s Club puts on the annual Mary K. Ashbrook Fishing Derby.

The Saturday, May 13 event will begin with registration at 7 a.m, and concludes with the weigh-in at 11 a.m.

The first 500 kids to register will receive a rod and reel and four Oklahoma lifetime fishing licenses will be given away that day.

Age groups will be under 4, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and 13-15. Fishing will be from the bank only, no boats are allowed.

Lucienda Elaine Williams was born Feb. 13, 1947, in El Reno to Billy Valmer Devereux and Elcie Ester May (Long) Devereux. Elaine passed away at the home she resided in on May 1, 2023, due to complications from a stroke and a decline in health.

Elaine married the love of her life, Billy Joe Williams, on Dec. 1, 1964, until he passed on July 15, 2007. To this union they had three children, Christina, Billy and Christopher.

She lived the most vivacious life she could, always on the go, nothing slowed her down.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Bun Run partnered with Roblyer Learning Center’s after-school program to host a writing contest. Students answered the question, “Why is exercise important?”

Four students were selected for their outstanding entries. Each student received a new pair of running shoes and a free entry into the Bun Run one-mile fun run/walk.

The winning students are Mayonna Ross, third grade, Zoey Glosser, fourth grade, Daylon Warner, fifth grade, and Ryker Crain, sixth grade.

El Reno Kiwanis Club held its annual Pancake Breakfast on April 15 at Wesley United Methodist Church.

The pancake breakfast was well-attended and funds raised will go toward funding several scholarships to graduating seniors of the El Reno High School class of 2023.

Members who took part included front row from left, Karen Nance, Vickie Baumwart, Debbie Kaufman and Kae Kruger; back row, Chris Lambakis, John Tipps, Caleb Davis, Ronnie Funck and Dennis Kaufman. Not pictured: Gary Baumwart, Tom Avant and Kellen Hanna.

El Reno police arrested a 23-year-old man after he allegedly entered a women’s restroom at Legion Park while a teen was inside, on her cellphone telling a friend she needed help.

Assistant Police Chief Major Kirk Dickerson said Graham Ethan Powell was arrested on complaints of kidnapping, obstructing a police officer, assault, public intoxication and resisting arrest.

At the recent annual conference, students from Redlands Community College Alpha Beta Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, received individual recognition as well as awards as part of the Oklahoma/Arkansas region.

McKenzie Simon, Elk City, was named one of the Top 30 Distinguished Chapter Officers, and Merideth Behrens, Colbert, was selected as a Top 30 Distinguished Chapter Member.

Maple April Students of the Month, front row from left, Cole Langley, prekindergarten; Paylynn Smith, fourth grade; Kash Brothers, second grade; Jake Wells, kindergarten; and Ella Smith, first grade; back row, Erica Niles, sixth grade; Audrey Eisenhour, fifth grade; Bryson Cooper, seventh grade; Sawyer Williams, eighth grade; and John Henry Von Tungeln, third grade.