February 2024

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body Early voting began Thursday for voters in Canadian County who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, March 5. Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said early voting is open to all voters. “You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early.

Body 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.

Body Teachers would be free to choose whether to pay union dues, rather than having school districts handle that process before the teacher receives his or her paycheck, under a bill approved by a Senate committee. Senate Bill 1625, by state Sen.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.

Body 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.