August 2023

Running the ball may be the foundation of El Reno High School’s offensive attack for 2023, but for the Indians “Blue Crush” defense, it’s just the opposite.

“We’ve got to stop the run, which is something we didn’t do a good job of last year. We expect that is what people are going to try and do against us, so hopefully we can give them a taste of their own medicine,” said head coach Russell Cook.

It’s a win-win scenario for EHS if the run game is a priority.

Inside the Blue Room at Memorial Stadium is a sign El Reno High School head football coach Russell Cook sees and takes to heart each day.

“We have this sign hanging in the locker room that says, ‘To the rest of the world they may just see us as a team, but in this locker room, on the field and in the huddle, we are family,’” said Cook.

Part of being a family is putting food on the table. Cook says for years El Reno has been trying to give players something to eat after each practice as well as game nights – either scrimmages or in the regular season.

The Redlands Community College Board of Regents last week named Jena Marr the eighth president of the college.

Marr, who has been serving as interim president since April 1, will assume the position immediately. She is the first woman to serve as president of the college.

Work on the new Starbucks location located along SW 27th Street has been steadily moving forward.

The sign for the national coffee chain was installed last week.

Starbucks is one of two new coffee chain stores to begin work on expansion locations here.

Mandy Davis has been named director at the Canadian County Expo and Event Center, having worked there since it opened in July of 2021.

Previously the center’s office manager, the Canadian County native was named interim director in May.

“I am incredibly grateful, humbled and honored at the opportunity to serve our community in such a huge way,” said Davis.

“That’s what this role and job is – to serve the people of our county and to serve our commissioners well. I hope to make the community proud of what we’re able to accomplish out here for them.”

Two Canadian County rural water districts have been given shares of the county’s federal stimulus award.

County commissioners voted unanimously to allocate $542,384.25 to the Canadian County (Banner) Water Authority and $53,296.88 to the Maple Water District.

Commissioners will wait before deciding how much to allocate to the Okarche Water District.

They previously agreed to distribute $913,095 to these three rural water districts that applied for shares of Canadian County’s $28,806,702 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).