October 2023

It will be new. It will be different. But in the end, it will move traffic in a more efficient and safer manner.

That was the message presented last week by one of the members of the engineering design team for the El Reno roundabout.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in early 2024 and last for about 16 months. When complete, motorists, after adjusting, are expected to appreciate how it works.

The message was delivered at last week’s El Reno Now gathering. The event drew a packed house at the Public Safety Center off SW 27th Street.

Trick-or-treaters of all ages braved the colder temperatures and blustery wind over the weekend for the annual Spooktacular in downtown El Reno.

El Reno police said a 20-year-old Newcastle man died after being shot and a 21-year-old man from Norman has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

Assistant Police Chief Kirk Dickerson said police were called to the 600 block of Reformatory Road just before 2 a.m. Saturday after a shooting was reported. Police and emergency medical personnel found Justin Payton Davidson suffering from a gunshot wound, reports said.

El Reno has some “big” projects in the works.

That’s how City Manager Matt Sandidge described the ongoing construction of what will be the “citizen-owned” fiber Internet network, as well as the replacement of a major waterline that’s a century old.

Sandidge and Public Schools Superintendent Matt Goucher updated the El Reno Now audience last week on happenings in the municipal government and the public school system.

Kenneth P. Johnson of Las Vegas passed away at home of natural causes on Sept. 6, 2023, with his wife of 62 years by his side.

He was born on April 16, 1938, to A.W. Johnson and Marie (Bryan) Johnson in Oklahoma City. His family were pioneers in Canadian County.

A Wichita, Kan., man has been sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for trying to meet underage girls for sex in Canadian County.

Christian Shae Dalmont, 25, has been convicted of lewd or indecent proposals to a child under 16 and possession of child pornography in Canadian County District Court.

Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse sentenced Dalmont to prison Oct. 24. Dalmont must register as a sex offender once he serves 85 percent of his 20-year prison sentence.

Before his surprising elevation to the role, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson cut a conservative path as an unassuming Louisiana state lawmaker who authored proposals with a religious bent.

Even though his political stances have been divisive, those who’ve worked alongside and opposed him concur Johnson has an agreeable nature that could be tested as he attempts to heal rifts within his party and the chamber.

Steve Biller was born to Iva and Fred Biller on April 17, 1938. He lived a life of color and being one with nature. He was an alumni of El Reno High School.

This lifetime for him was full of hunting adventures and raising and training some of the finest coon dogs in the country. He was a true cowboy.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Iva Biller, and father, Fred Biller; sister, Jaquita Gray; brother, Fred Biller; grandson, Gregory Quick; and partner, Jodi.

DUNCAN – A pair of former El Reno High School standouts played a game of mind chess from the sidelines last week and it was the elder of alums who got the checkmate move.

Lathen Pruitt, nephew of El Reno defensive coordinator Michael Pruitt (a 2001 EHS grad), intercepted a Sawyer Rice pass at the EHS 10-yard line with two seconds left to seal the Indians 42-28 win over the Duncan Demons.

“Their guy had been throwing it down the field on us all night, but toward the end we really stepped it up a little bit. We were in four and it was my job to stay deep.