February 2024

El Reno High School’s girls basketball team, the only undefeated team in Class 5A, is now one game away from logging a perfect regular season following a 52-40 road win over Guthrie.

The Indians improved to 22-0 on the season and swept the series over the Bluejays with the 12-point win – the 21st double-digit decision of the year for El Reno.

The win moved El Reno to 13-0 in the District 5A-1 standings. The Indians lead both Shawnee and Carl Albert (13-0) by three games in the standings with one game left – a home date with Shawnee.

El Reno High School’s boys basketball team had a season-long five-game win streak snapped last week as the Guthrie Bluejays handed the Indians a 67-61 setback in their final road game of the regular season.

The loss dropped El Reno to 16-6 on the season as the Bluejays swept the regular-season series with EHS by a combined nine points. However, the setback did not hurt the Indians in District 5A-1 play as far as seeding.

UNION CITY – Morgan Brothers banked in a layup at the buzzer to set Union City High School’s girls basketball team on the path to the Class A, Area 2, District 7 Championships.

The basket sealed a 67-65 semifinal win over Cordell and pushed Union City into the double-elimination portion of the Class A playoff bracket. The Tigers followed it up with a 61-47 win over Rock Creek in the title game.

Redlands Community College women’s basketball team remains within striking distance of the lead in the NJCAA Region 2 standings following a 54-49 win over Northern Oklahoma College of Enid.

The Cougars improved to 16-5 on the season and took over sole possession of second place in the standings with a 6-2 mark.

Redlands trails Connors State (7-2) by half a game in the win column for the lead but lost the first head-to-head meeting.

Despite pushing four players into double digits, Redlands Community College men’s basketball team dropped its fourth straight game in NJCAA Region 2 action.

The 90-84 setback to Northern Oklahoma College of Enid left the Cougars with a 10-12 overall record. Redlands slipped to 2-6 for seventh place in the Region 2 standings.

Jordan Kwende paced the Redlands scorers with a double-double effort of 21 points and 13 rebounds.

With an eye toward making Route 66 more attractive for both locals and visitors, the city of El Reno has purchased a former gas station at the corner of Sunset and Choctaw and is seeking grants to help with major improvements in the area.

City Manager Matt Sandidge said the city has a contract in hand to purchase the property at 120 S. Choctaw. Closing is expected to take place Feb. 29.

Mayor Steve Jensen said the city will spend approximately $150,000 to gain control of the corner property.

Keeping quiet about a movie crew filming at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes headquarters in Concho was the goal - and that goal was successful. Well, almost.

Within an hour of actors Lou Diamond Phillips and Tommy Schulz being spotted in Concho, social media came alive with cellphone pictures and videos.

The upcoming film titled “Keep Quiet” being filmed was no longer quiet.

Construction is due to start next week on the first roundabout to be built in Canadian County.

An Oklahoma Department of Transportation contractor is scheduled to begin work Thursday, Feb. 15 at the State Highway 66 and U.S. 81 intersection in El Reno.

“Work is scheduled to take about a year and a half, weather permitting, and should be complete ahead of the Route 66 Centennial in 2026,” ODOT spokesman Bryce Boyer said.

The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching.

Applications must be received by the Canadian County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19.

Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said absentee voting is available to all voters and applications can be submitted several ways.

“In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply. Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail or even email,” said Arnold.

Darren Hamilton of Fort Supply said he will run for Oklahoma’s 3rd U.S. Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne.

Hamilton is a Republican.

“My campaign, Hamilton for Oklahoma, is gaining steam because the people in our district feel it is time for a new voice that better represents our district’s ideals is sent to Washington, D.C.,” said Hamilton in a prepared statement.