December 2024

Let's take a stroll back through the year 2024. As most years go, it carried its share of good times and not so good times, victories to celebrate and losses to mourn.

This segment will look at some of the news that made headlines in El Reno and Canadian County from January through April. 

JANUARY

Canadian County District Judge Khristan Strubhar would administer the oath of office to Tommy Humphries, newly-appointed district attorney for District 4, which includes Canadian, Kingfisher, Grant, Garfield and Blaine counties.

A tradition that has been going strong since 1981 continued Dec. 24 when the 41st Annual El Reno Community Christmas Eve Dinner was hosted by a local family that started the generous event.

The dinner was interrupted for two years when Dwight Kennedy lived out of town. 

Canadian County commissioners agreed to obligate remaining shares of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) award to six community service agencies.

That action came at the recommendation of District Attorney Tommy Humphries, whose office administers Canadian County’s ARPA funding.

Canadian County in 2021 was awarded $28,806,702 from the American Rescue Plan Act, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill designed to speed up the country’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Paul Monies reported, Elliot Chambers, a former secretary of the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office, served in the role for two years.

OKLAHOMA CITY ‒ Pro Tem-Elect Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, announced plans to refile legislation to reduce the use of virtual school days in public education.

“We continue to see the disastrous and inefficient effects virtual learning is having on our children,” Paxton said.

LAWSUITS

Synchrony Bank vs. Michael Glauser for $5,455.78 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Mary Tomko for $2,049.11 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Brian Snow for $8,839.55 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Dianah Dillon for $3,015.40 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Bank of America vs. Valerie Sherman for $8,485.68 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

With a quick scan of the team field, it’s easy to see that the Kansas City Stampede has become one of the premiere early-season tournaments for high school wrestling in the Midwest.

This year’s boys event drew 79 teams from 14 different states, with Oklahoma sending 10 squads including El Reno High School.

The Indians placed 59th overall with 37 points and were eighth among state schools.

Grapplers were assured matches in the main bracket and those not advancing out of the opening day dropped into the hard luck bracket for additional matches.

Although only five grapplers competed in the 2024 Kansas City Stampede, El Reno High School’s wrestling team netted four placers in the two brackets making up the girls field.

There were 58 total teams in the event, with El Reno being one of the 11 schools and 13 squads from Oklahoma. The Indians scored 70.5 points and placed 28th overall but were sixth best among Sooner State teams.

El Reno finished behind state schools Edmond North (163), Little Axe (130), Westmoore (116.5), Sand Springs (72.5) and Harrah (71.5).

El Reno High School’s basketball teams dominated Noble recently with strong scoring in the paint.

Both EHS teams are 6-0 at the break and will be back in action Friday night at home against Elgin with tipoff set for 6 and 7:30 p.m.

Lila Winegeart and Angellyne De La Cruz knocked down a 3-pointer each as Calumet High School’s girls basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak with a 41-29 win over Harding Fine Arts.

The win left Calumet with a 2-8 record.

Winegeart led all Calumet scorers with 15 points off 7-of-19 shooting, while collecting eight steals and a rebound. De La Cruz paced those in single digits with eight points, seven rebounds and an assist.

Alice Park was close behind with seven points and six boards, while Brenlee Voss had five points and three boards.