February 2024

Canadian County’s steady growth is evident in a remarkable increase in property values since early last decade.

In 2023, Canadian County’s net valuation totaled $2,128,291,555 - that’s $2.1 billion.

This figure represents 12 percent of the total market value of all taxable property in Canadian County (Oklahoma is a fractional assessment state).

When Assessor Matt Wehmuller took office in 2011, the net valuation for Canadian County was $890,767,541 ($890 million).

Heaven gained a true angel on Feb. 3, 2024, just nine days short of her 99th birthday. Marge (Smith) Feddersen was born southwest of El Reno to Leonard and Marie Smith. She graduated from El Reno High School and then attended Oklahoma Christian University.

After college she accepted a position as an educator prior to marrying Everett Feddersen on Feb. 10, 1945. The couple were blessed with three children, Connie, Steve and Phil.

After more than 30 years near the Canadian County Courthouse in El Reno, the county’s child advocacy center is moving to Yukon.

The Child Abuse Response Team (C.A.R.T.) will relocate in coming months to what is now the Canadian County Health Department’s Yukon office on East Vandament. The CCHD this spring will open a newly remodeled site on State Highway 66 just west of Evans Road.

“We will be moving with some other agencies to the former Canadian County Health Department in Yukon,” C.A.R.T. House Executive Director Joanne Riley said.

Kenneth George Bennett was born March 25, 1937, and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 4, 2024. Kenneth was the oldest son of George and Lavon Bennett. He was born on the NW Bennett Homestead in Washita County south of Colony, Okla.

A Canadian County judge has set bail at $1 million for a man who allegedly caused the fentanyl-related death of his daughter.

George Harold Graves, 54, was booked Dec. 16, 2023, into the Canadian County Jail after being formally charged Nov. 13 in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder (distribution of a controlled dangerous substance).

The defendant - who has a Red Lake, Minn. address - is accused of murdering Stormie Jasmine Graves in February 2023 when she overdosed at her Calumet home.

Natural gas producers who have an application pending to export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) won’t get a decision from the U.S. Department of Energy anytime soon.

That’s because the Biden administration has announced a temporary pause on pending decisions for exports of LNG until the DOE evaluates the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, energy security and climate change.

The decision does not have Congressman Tom Cole’s support.

Memorial services for Jerry Lee Lindsley of Clinton were held Saturday, Feb. 3 at Bible Baptist Church with Pastor Adam Pearson officiating. Services were under the direction of Absolute Economical Funeral Home.

Jerry passed away Jan. 27, 2024, at the Clinton Veterans Center. He was born June 20, 1939, in Guthrie. He was a veteran and a carpenter by trade.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Tennie Lindsley; his wife, Delitha; brothers, Bob and Don; and sister, June Raper.

LAWSUITS

Capital One N.A. vs. Alesha Hughey for $4,835.64 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Kristen Barnett for $2,098.54 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Goldman Sachs Bank USA vs. Miranda Altom for $5,687.46 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

American Express National Bank vs. Kevin Sheafe for $2,914.99 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Memorial service for Patsy Ann Noland Hammert will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 at First Presbyterian Church, El Reno, under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home. She died on February 2, 2024, at her home in Yukon.

Rotating two of its top three scorers due to an injury and foul trouble, El Reno High School’s girls basketball team used an abnormal lineup to produce another victory in a perfect season to date.

El Reno moved to 20-0 on the year with a 57-44 home victory over Elgin to sweep the league series over the Owls. It’s just the second 20-win season for head coach Jennifer Douglas and the first during the regular season.