November 2023

Haunting EHS

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For the first time since 2019, El Reno High School held its Haunt the High School on Halloween.

Kids and adults walked two floors of the high school as student organizations and sports teams handed out more than 5,000 pieces of candy.

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El Reno Academic Team off to fast start, seeks return to nationals

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El Reno High School’s Academic Team is off to a strong start for the 2023-24 season, placing 10th or better in each of its first four meets, including winning the 2023 Oklahoma Secondary School Athletic Association’s Class 5A District 2 Championship.

El Reno picked up the district title by defeating Guthrie in a three-game battle held at the Jeff Mills STEM Center.

The Indians swept the first two games by a combined 430-140 margin over the Bluejays.

El Reno High School’s Academic Team at the Yukon tournament

Chamber Banquet

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Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, center, was joined by El Reno Mayor Steve Jensen, left, and Vice Mayor David Black at last week’s annual El Reno Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

The event focused on the tourism potential Oklahoma and El Reno has with historic Route 66 and the upcoming centennial of the famous highway in 2026.

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Riverside honors

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Riverside October Citizens of the Month, front row from left, Steele Wooten, Mayonna Ross, Jenna Manuele, Avry Royse, Westley Wilkerson, Malachi Lockler, Natalie Ramos, Bailey Ashley, Maggie Calzada, Alexi Evans and JoshuaDave WhiteHorse; back row, Memoree Lover, Colt Monceret, Hawke Wooten, Katheryn Trujillo, Parker Turner, Legend Hatton, Cooper Turner, Jolene Marquez and Willow Baker.

Riverside October 2023 - Citizens of the Month

CCSO arrests Mustang man on child porn charges

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Investigators with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joshua Paul Wayne Mackey, 46, of Mustang, last week on multiple charges, including aggravated possession of child pornography. 

Sheriff Chris West said the investigation opened after his office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Reports were a residence in Mustang was distributing child pornography over social media.

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OHS yearbook staff earns gold level status

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For two consecutive years, the Okarche High School yearbook staff has been awarded the gold level of the National Yearbook Program of Excellence. The yearbook program placed at the gold level in 2020 and 2022, and placed at the bronze level in 2021.

Yearbook staff recently learned that they placed at the gold level for the second consecutive year with their 2023 yearbook.

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Costume party

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The El Reno Senior Citizens Center hosted a fun Halloween party last week.

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Redlands wins regional marketing awards

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Redlands Community College was recognized during the recent National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) district conference in Colorado Springs, winning bronze Medallion Awards for both print and novelty items.

The NCMPR Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges in each of NCMPR’s seven districts. Oklahoma is in District 4 along with Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming.

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RCC Judging Team competes at American Royal

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The Redlands Community College Livestock Judging Team clinched team honors as well as several individual awards at the American Royal Livestock Exhibitors contest in Kansas City.

Competing against 28 teams from across the country in the junior college division, the Redlands team was named Second High Team Overall, and three team members earned individual honors.

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Lawmakers probe business retention plans after Michelin plant closure news

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OKLAHOMA CITY — State senators last week explored the conditions that led a global tire company to decide to close its Ardmore factory and probed economic development officials on solutions to retain businesses in Oklahoma.

The Senate Select Committee on Business Retention and Economic Development delved into Michelin’s announcement last week that it will close its 53-year-old Ardmore plant that employs 1,400 workers.

The news that the plant will close by 2025 came as a shock to state leaders and many in the community.