February 2024

El Reno’s Tim Gatz will serve as director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation after an attorney general opinion said he could not also serve as director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and Secretary of Transportation at the same time.

Following Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s opinion, Gatz resigned as ODOT and OTA director, as well as the cabinet position of Secretary of Transportation. Gov. Kevin Stitt then named Gatz to serve as ODOT director only.

Fans of all ages descended on the State Fair Arena Wednesday to cheer on the Calumet High School boys basketball team in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Class B Oklahoma State High School Basketball Championships.

The top-ranked Chieftains improved to 30-0 with a 75-55 win over No. 10 Varnum and moved into the semifinals.

See related story here.

A Canadian County convicted felon is now a fugitive from justice.

Colby Dale Reyes, 25, was charged Feb. 22 in Canadian County District Court with escaping from the Department of Corrections. The felony crime is punishable by two to seven years in prison.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections requested a no bond warrant for the arrest of the escaped prisoner. That warrant was approved by Canadian County Special Judge Charles Gass.

Members of the Canadian County Fair Board met recently to prepare for the annual Canadian County Junior Livestock Show set for March 4-8 at the Canadian County Expo and Event Center.

John Dean Chapman was born in El Reno on Aug. 8, 1959, to Billy Earn and Bina Janice (Faler) Chapman. He was a lifelong resident of the El Reno community and a 1977 graduate of El Reno High School.

John married Donna Kay Menz on April 21, 1979. They have two daughters, Kimberly Haller, married to Gray Haller, and Lauren Porter and son-in-law, Darrick Porter. They have four grandchildren, Colton Vaught, Hadlee Haller and Chandon and Brinley Porter.

A husband, father, Poppy, uncle, brother-in-law, brother, friend and role model are just a few of the titles John carried.

Archer Kerr represented Riverside Elementary at the recent Canadian County 4-H Foodtacular.

Archer placed in the Table Setting and Cupcake Decorating categories, taking home two ribbons and a cutting board.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services will host People with Disabilities Awareness Day on March 5 at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

The event brings hundreds of people with disabilities, their families and their supporters together. It runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

People are encouraged to wear green to show support for the event.

Jose “Joe” Perez died Feb. 26, 2024, at Oklahoma Veterans Center in Clinton. Joe was born April 12, 1947, in Eagle Pass, Texas, to Remijio and Aurelia Perez.

He was a longtime resident of El Reno and a regular patron at the local casino.

He served in the U.S. Army as a combat veteran in the Vietnam War. He worked for the city of El Reno for many years and in various departments, being known most for reading water meters.