October 2023

A nonprofit group’s effort to save the old Canadian County Jail passed a major hurdle last week when Canadian County commissioners approved a new lease for the historic site.

Preservation El Reno previously presented a detailed proposal to make repairs and upgrades to the old jail building at 300 N. Evans.

The nonprofit organization announced plans to raise funds to reopen the historic building in fall 2025 as a museum and education center.

Canadian County owns the property, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Canadian County is moving forward with plans to sell land near the county’s juvenile justice center on East Highway 66.

Commissioners last week approved a resolution to accept the appraisal of a four-acre tract.

“This four acres is the area immediately north of Youth and Family Services,” Commissioner Dave Anderson said.

“Youth and Family has reached out to see if there would be any interest in a sale.”

The Gary E. Miller Canadian County Children’s Justice Center would likely never occupy this land, Anderson said.

The Canadian County Expo Center will host Circus on Ice on Saturday, Oct. 21.

The ice skating and circus show will have show times at 4:30 and 7 p.m.

The colorful event is put on by Taconhy Entertainment.

Taconhy Entertainment is known for its Argentine circus tradition.

The ice skating circus will combine the grace of ice skating with circus artistry.

Co-owners Steven Lopez and Daniela Mercado, both fifth-generation circus artists, have crafted a 90-minute show they said will dazzle the audience.

A golf tournament organized by SPM Oil and Gas resulted in a donation to the C.A.R.T. House (Child Welfare Citizens Advisory Board of Canadian County).

The check was presented by Diane Martin and Doug Croop from SPM to the C.A.R.T. House staff and board members.

Some $5,600 was raised to support forensic interviews and advocacy for the children seen at the center.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, led an interim study last week reviewing an outcomes-based funding model for community colleges, drawing inspiration from Texas’ recent transformative initiative.

The Texas model, explained by Kelle Kieschnick from Texas Commit Partnership, emphasizes funding allocation based on student achievements such as graduation and certificate completion, a departure from the traditional enrollment-based approach.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor hopes a blockbuster movie filmed in Oklahoma will reignite a legislative conversation about increasing the cap on the state’s film incentive.

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell hopes when lawmakers watch Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” in theaters, they think about the economic impact that production and others have had in the state.

Oklahoma well owners are on their way to healthier drinking water this fall thanks to the Oklahoma Well Owner Network.

Beloved father and friend, Rodney Mark Bradford passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at the age of 59, surrounded by his children and those who loved him.

Mark was born in El Reno on May 4, 1964. He graduated from El Reno High School in 1982.

Anyone who knew Mark was aware of his love of electronics and technology, and that he was an absolute geek for Apple products.

He enjoyed spending time with his children and friends, fishing, flying his drones and jamming out to Pink Floyd or Rush.

LAWSUITS

Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Tabitha Williams for $8,960.62 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Betty Adams for $8,502.79 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Safe Haven Security Services LLC vs. Lorena Balderrama for $1,083.89 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Discover Bank vs. Rylee Rankin for $2,505.71 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Maple first nine weeks A Honor Roll, front row from left, Madison Basler, Riley McKee, Elizabeth Wilkerson, Ryker Penwright, Ella Ratliff, Abigail Bass, Douglas Bland, Sophie Tredway, Elizabeth Eisenhour, Blaklyn Barton and Abel Overholser; second row, Kennedy Prince, Bryson Brandley, Cale Wedman, Marlowe Menz, Kinsley Bonilla, Halle Hunt, Charlee Charmasson, Drake Rosholt, Blayke Steinbruck, Case Elliott, Paylynn Smith, Braelyn Hutchings, Fritz Hoffman and Timber Westervelt; third row, Kuttler Bow, Rhett Davis, Lainey Rowell, Emily Thompson, Raina Crawford, Kaelyn Racca, Zoey Pawnee, Stone