May 2024

The recent passing of longtime El Reno High School administrator and coaching legend Hub Reed has been hard news for the countless number of former students and colleagues to process.

“Hub was just one of those guys you always wanted to be like. He influenced so many lives during his time and mine was one of those,” said former El Reno coach and athletic director Rocky Carter.

Reed passed away in his home May 28 at the age of 89.

On a steamy Memorial Day morning, Capt. Bob Ford, a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, delivered a moving tribute to those who have given their lives in defense of the freedom this nation enjoys.

Ford, of Okeene, was the guest speaker at the Memorial Day service coordinated this year by El Reno VFW Post 382. The VFW, along with the American Legion Post 34, alternate coordination of the Memorial Day tribute each year at the El Reno Cemetery.

A Watonga man was taken into custody after allegedly firing a gun at two El Reno residences. At one residence, police said a dog was killed by the gunfire.

Assistant Police Chief Kirk Dickerson said at 6 a.m., Monday, police were called to the 2400 block of Stone Glen after reports of gunshots were called into police.

Officers found the residence at 2432 Stone Glen had been hit by several gunshots.

A nine-year veteran of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office was honored for his exemplary service during an annual law enforcement memorial service.

Investigator Sgt. David Cates accepted the inaugural Sam Farris Exemplary Service Award near the end of a 25-minute ceremony outside the Canadian County Courthouse.

Deputy Farris was the first of four Canadian County deputies who lost their lives in the line of duty. He was killed in 1894.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony signified the recent completion of major upgrades to a busy intersection on State Highway 66 at Banner Road.

Canadian County District 1 Commissioner Tom Manske officiated the Yukon Chamber of Commerce event, which attracted about 60 county officials, employees and local residents.

Featured guests were District 60 State Rep. Rhonda Baker (R-Yukon) and Yukon’s Candace Davis Schwarz, whose father was killed 4 1/2 years ago in a crash at the intersection.

El Reno’s VFW Post 382 will be hosting fundraisers in the coming weeks as the local institution works to recover from not being able to pay sales and beverage taxes to the state of Oklahoma.

The VFW had its permits pulled and this has created a strain on revenue used to support the various community projects put on by the organization.

Nancy Salsman, president of the VFW Auxiliary, said starting every Tuesday and Thursday, there will be $5 meals available at the post.

To the Editor:

The Mobile Meals program is just one of many services provided in El Reno to those in need. The program is dependent on volunteers. I have been delivering meals for more than 20 years and find it to be a highlight of my week.

If you can spare one hour a week to volunteer, you won’t regret it.

Tom Mathews

Local farm workers (above) pick up hay from a busted bale that was attached to the flatbed 18-wheel truck (background).

El Reno policemen on-site say the truck tried to drive under the Rock Island bridge over Sunset Drive but was too tall, causing the bale to be knocked off.

A Canadian County sheriff’s deputy was fired this spring for alleged sexual misconduct while on duty.

David Randall was terminated March 28 by Sheriff Chris West, who informed him in a letter that his “services are no longer needed at the Sheriff’s Office.”

Randall was terminated “for gross misconduct,” according to an employee status change form signed by Undersheriff Kevin Ward and Assistant District Attorney Eric Epplin.

Early voting begins Thursday, June 13 for voters in Canadian County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at their county election board. Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said early voting is open to all voters.

“You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the county election board or state election board - from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections.