July 2023

Two cousins from Hinton, Bode, left, and Rhett Smith try their hand at some cornhole at Smoke on the Water held over the weekend.

Bode’s grandfather took part in the races held at Lake El Reno.

This is the second story in a recap of El Reno High School’s baseball team's work over the summer.

With three of its top five pitchers from the spring inactive for the Red Dirt League, El Reno High School head coach Keith Hill made the choice to develop young arms over the month-long summer campaign.

No matter how much it cost the Indians in the win-loss column.

“We decided to develop some young guys and take that route.

“It was a good choice and it was the right move,” said Hill.

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Dennis Chee for $4,471.51 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Terry Strickland for $5,819.52 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Ryan Jackson for $2,646.53 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Eric Crary for $1,853.95 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Misti Ortiz for $3,168.16 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Recent heavy rains have left the water level at Lake El Reno at its highest for the month of July in more than five years, which is good news for the organizers of the Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races.

“We will have enough water for sure. The lake has receded back into its banks and by this weekend it should be back at normal level.

“It won’t hurt anything when the water is high and it won’t bother the track,” said co-organizer Josh Finnigan.

Though not big on watching first-run movies in theaters, El Reno Public Schools Athletic Director Rodney Haydon says he might have to go see Twisters when it hits the big screen in 2024.

“I’m not much of a movie guy but I may just have to go see this movie in the theater. I’m interested to see what this movie is about,” said Haydon.

Though at a distance, Haydon and other El Reno administrators got a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the sequel to the 1996 Hollywood blockbuster Twister.

El Reno is going to celebrate “After the Storm” with a downtown block party highlighted by a showing of the original Twister movie. The colorful event is from 5 to 8 p.m. July 27.

City Manager Matt Sandidge said city staff came up with the idea to celebrate the downtown after it hosted the recent production of Twisters, the sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Twister movie. Twisters is scheduled for release in July of 2024.

Several blocks of Bickford in the downtown area were closed during the production.

A lawsuit against Canadian County Sheriff Chris West has been dismissed.

Canadian County District Judge Khristan K. Strubhar signed a journal entry of judgment granting the defendant’s motion to dismiss the petition filed on behalf of plaintiff Brandon Michael Whitman.

“The judge’s decision reflects that everything was done right,” West said. “I just believe in doing things right – law and order.”

Alda Lee Dorrough was born Alda Lee Frost on Aug. 31, 1931, in Paris, Ark., to Gerdine and Perney Frost. He had one older sister and two older brothers. He was adopted at the age of 10 by Riley and Pearl Dorrough, his aunt and uncle. At that time he gained two more older sisters and two more brothers, one older and one younger.

He went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord on July 7, 2023, at the age of 91 years, 10 months and seven days.

A 57-year law enforcement veteran - who retired 18 months ago - is now officially able to keep his Canadian County sheriff’s firearm and badge.

Canadian County commissioners made it official at their July 10 meeting, voting 3-0 to allow Lt. Mike Grimes to retain these county-issued items.

“This is for Mike Grimes,” Canadian County Undersheriff Kevin Ward told commissioners.

GIRL – Erin and Robert Morris of Denton, Texas, are parents of a girl, Emilia June, born May 26 in Lewisville, Texas. Emilia weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20.5 inches in length.

Maternal grandparents are Glen and Stacey Miller of El Reno.

Great-grandparents are the late Archie and Verlin Miller and the late David and Shirley Shelton.

Paternal grandparents are Gart and Kelley Morris of Jenks.

Great-grandparents are June Morris of Owasso and the late Bob Morris and Geneva Crow of Rowland, Ark., and the late Vernon Crow.