December 2024

That was the question being asked as traffic eastbound on Sunset was halted as the transport company moving this large wind turbine blade stopped short of the Rock Island railroad bridge.

Westbound traffic was slowed to one lane.

El Reno Police were directing the slowed and diverted traffic and an officer on site said the transport company’s permit called for the blade to be taken down this route. The transport did not attempt to go under the bridge and turned around. 

Following are Letters to Santa from students at Rose Witcher Elementary:

Dear Santa,
How are your elves and Mrs. Claus? I want a new electric scooter. Can I have three new bikes, they are for my brothers and me. I will leave you a glass of milk.
Love, Jesiah

Dear Santa,
This year for Christmas I want a new phone and skateboard and a new PS5 and a Ipad and a blanket and light plushy and my own laptop and a dirt bike and a squishmellow and a cupcake plushy and that’s it but thank you.
Love, Kali

Jared and Carlee Jones decorated their home’s entire yard with various colorful and thoughtful displays for the holiday season.

The yard display was the 2024 winner of the City of El Reno’s Holly Jolly Holidays Lights Display contest.

The finalists were selected and the winner voted on by the public. The Jones were the overwhelming winner and have taken home the title in past years.

A testament to retiring Canadian County Court Clerk Marie Hirst’s leadership was demonstrated when two of her office’s employees were victorious in the June 18 primary election.

Hirst is retiring Dec. 31 after 29 years at the court clerk’s office – the last 16 years as the elected court clerk.

Hirst’s successor is her chief deputy, Holly Eaton, who has worked there for 15 years.

Eaton withstood a challenge in the June Republican primary to win the next four-year term that starts Jan. 1.

Financing has been authorized for an expansion project at Canadian County’s landfill.

County commissioners passed resolutions “approving the incurrence of indebtedness” by the Oklahoma Environmental Management Authority, which operates the solid waste landfill on S.W. 29th in Union City.

The commissioners must approve this action because Canadian County is beneficiary of the Title 60 public trust that oversees OEMA.

LAWSUITS

American Express National Bank vs. Devender Sharma for $8,982.72 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Marianne Miller for $4,215.86 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Twin City LLC vs. Eslee Smith for $7,621.61 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Collins Asset Group LLC vs. Phillip Slocum for $6,692.65 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Betty Jane Hall, 94, of El Reno, passed away peacefully in her home on Dec. 4, 2024. Betty was born Jan. 6, 1930, one of six daughters to Herbert and Cecelia Collins.

Betty grew up in Oxford, Mich., and graduated from Log Cabin High School in Clawson, Mich. Betty married her high school sweetheart, John (Jack) Hall in 1949. Of that union they were blessed with five children.

Nick Owen has no problem with college athletes getting a little extra money in their pockets each month given the time commitment required to play college sports.

With expanding regular-season schedules, offseason training and degree course work, there is little free time to get even a part-time job to earn some spending money.

Donna Nicha Harris-Boyd was born Jan. 2, 1963, in El Reno. She graduated from Bartlesville High School in May 1981.

Donna was very talented. She was a singer, sewer, athletic, could cook any soul food dish imaginable, and was the “plant whisperer,” who could bring any dying plant back to life with her green thumb.

Funeral services for Paula Louise Conklin were held Friday, Dec. 20 at the Concho Emergency Response Center with Rev. Gerald Panana officiating. Burial was in the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Paula died Dec. 16, 2024, at Tuscany Village Nursing Center in The Village. She was born Jan. 17, 1955, in Clinton and was raised in Concho. While in school, she played softball and basketball. She was a homemaker.