November 2024

Growing up in a Nazarene Church in Arkansas, Nick Phillips had two constant influences directing him to what he thought would be his future career path – his faith and a love for music.

“I felt the calling to be a music worship leader in a church,” said Phillips.

As it turns out, God had different plans for the Little Rock native.

He shared his thoughts about his career choice with his youth pastor at Brockington Road Church of the Nazarene. Little did Phillips know that his religious mentor was a part-time teacher and that this conversation would be a life-changer.

A decision on whether to increase the Canadian County sheriff’s base salary as allowed by state statute is expected next week.

County commissioners voted 2-1 to table for one week action related to county officers salary range.

Sheriff Chris West, citing a growing challenge to recruit and retain deputies, has asked commissioners to approve a resolution that would increase the sheriff’s base salary to $74,500.

El Reno will celebrate the Christmas season with the annual Downtown Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, and will follow that up a week later with The Holly Jolly Trolley.

Christmas in the Movies is the parade theme for the annual event. It's a fitting nod to the impact the movie Twisters is expected to have.

El Reno was featured in the dramatic ending of the movie, much of which was filmed in the downtown in the summer of 2023.

The movie has already helped lure tour bus groups to town.

The parade, put on by Main Street, is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

It’s officially Christmas time! I think we are the only house in our neighborhood not decorated for Christmas. I’m working on it. I figure Jesus’ birthday isn’t until Dec. 25 so I have some time. 

Congrats to El Reno on being named as the official birthplace of the fried-onion hamburger! Go check out the sign at Mother Road Plaza. That’s good stuff!

The Oklahoma Environmental Management Authority (OEMA) said it has acquired four new compressed natural gas (CNG) waste management vehicles, funded in part by a grant from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG).

The grant has enabled OEMA to purchase a side-load CNG truck and a front-load CNG truck and two roll-off CNG trucks.

As a service to taxpayers, Canadian County Treasurer Jay Arnold is bringing back mobile payment sites for the 2024 tax season.

“I am excited to announce our return in offering a more convenient way to pay your property taxes,” Arnold said.

“We had tremendous success last year with many requests to open up the mobile site locations for the second-half payment as well as for those who choose to pay their property taxes in two installments.”

A reception celebrating James Elliott’s Eagle Scout achievement will be held Dec. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will be at 1201 SW 27th and is open to all in the community who supported him through his nine-year journey of Scouts.

The Eagle Scout project Elliott created was two cedar benches with The Lord’s Harvest routed in it. The title of his project was Sitting With God. 

Western Oklahoma students put their imaginations to work designing their own dream playgrounds as part of an engineering design challenge called Design+Do, sponsored by Devon Energy in partnership with Engage Learning.    

Participating schools included Calumet Elementary, Okarche Elementary and Roblyer Learning Center. 

Roblyer Learning Center recently held an essay contest for Red Ribbon Week.

Pictured is the winner of the contest, fifth-grader Tahyri Williams.

Riverside November Students of the Month, front row from left, Jaxon Merveldt, Valentina Garcia, Sophia Cowherd, Avry Royse, Maddax Lehman, Aubri Maggard, Bailey Ashley and Dwight Carter; back row, Sayler Hileman, Dominick Thompson, Hazel Blakley, Azayla Mitchell, David Hudelson, Mia Matias, Oliver Wyrick, Jett Hudson, Taven Fikes, Presleigh Mangold and Colt Monceret.