June 2023

A needed upgrade at Canadian County’s juvenile detention center has a hefty price tag.

Jackson Mechanical has proposed performing the plumbing retrofit for $291,650 at the Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children’s Justice Center, 7905 E. Highway 66.

The detention center was built 25 years ago after Canadian County voters approved an election proposition that established a .35 percent countywide sales tax to fund the construction of a juvenile center and related juvenile programs.

An architectural firm will be paid a $260,300 fee to help determine the scope and location of Canadian County’s future courthouse complex.

MA+ Architecture was hired in April to prepare design plans for a new Canadian County Courthouse/Administration Building that would house all judicial and most county government offices.

During the programming phase, the architect team will interview representatives of all Canadian County offices and divisions.

Harvesting equipment for Crowly Farms remained silent over the weekend as rains forced stoppage in the collection process of winter wheat crops.

Owner Mike Crowly says he hopes to get into his fields later this week as farmers are also facing the prospect of greening of their fields interfering with the harvest.

Crowly said the Calumet area had over an inch of weekend rain and more fell on the county Monday.

Canadian County Public Library Consortium members recently received a boost from the Educational Facilities Authority, which awarded about $84,575 to those libraries to help fund operations and purchase specialized items.

Canadian County’s libraries – located in El Reno, Piedmont, Mustang and Yukon – collectively have the goal to “bring free education, information and programming to all Canadian County residents … to offer services residents have come to expect from larger library systems.”

Felony charges have been filed against a longtime Mustang educator accused of sexually abusing a female student.

Canadian County Assistant District Attorney Taylor Brown in May filed six felony counts against 60-year-old Raymond Thomas Garner – two each of second-degree rape and sexual battery, forcible sodomy and rape by instrumentation.

Irene Frances (Reding) Parizek passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at her home near Yukon, surrounded by loving family.

Irene was born July 22, 1922, in Calumet, just before her twin sister, Corene. She attended Sacred Heart High School in El Reno and was valedictorian of her class. Her classmate, Lillian Maca, introduced her cousin, Martin Parizek to Irene at a Knights of Columbus dance. After Martin returned from the Army Air Force, they married Jan. 24, 1950.

They farmed northwest of Yukon and raised 10 children.

Services for Jackie Wier Parker were held Tuesday, June 13 in the Benson Memorial Chapel with Matthew Miller officiating. Burial followed in the El Reno Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Jackie died June 9, 2023, at Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born Oct. 26, 1939, in Tribbey, Okla.

The family moved to El Reno when Jackie was 2 years old. After graduating from El Reno High School in 1958, he attended college before choosing to attend barber college.

LAWSUITS

Joe Cooper Ford of Yukon LLC vs. Kenneth James Strickler, L1C4 Holdings LLC, DakMak Group LLC and KamKad Automotive Holdings LLC for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged compensatory and punitive damages.

Jon Franke vs. State Farm Fire and Casualty Company for an amount less than and not to exceed $75,000 for alleged compensatory and punitive damages.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Jordan Buckmaster for $24,542.05 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Funeral services for Santos “José” Edward Marques were held June 12 at First Baptist Church of Geary with Rev. Waylan Upchego officiating. Burial was in the Morton Family Cemetery under the direction of Turner Funeral Home.

Jose passed away June 7, 2023, in Oklahoma City. He was born Sept. 10, 1971, in Clinton. He grew up in El Reno and Anadarko, graduating from Anadarko High School. José was very proud of his Mexican heritage and also his Arapaho heritage.

UNION CITY – Breaking up a marathon 10-inning contest into five-inning blocks, Union City High School’s varsity team defeated El Reno’s Varsity 2 squad 9-8 and 9-1 in a rare meeting of county schools.

The teams were slated to play a doubleheader two days earlier but the opening game of that set was halted four innings in by lightning, with the Tigers leading 5-4.