February 2025

El Reno native Dr. Alan Hollingsworth has scored another honor for his writing, this time The Independent Press Award. The honor is said to be one of the most prestigious book award programs globally for independent authors, publishers and illustrators.

A retired surgeon, Hollingsworth’s newest work, Prognosis: Guarded: The Breakthrough Novel of 1977 That Tried to Break Me is being honored as a Distinguished Favorite in the Medical Thriller category.

After a mid-year merger of its Yukon and El Reno clinics, the Canadian County Health Department (CCHD) reported a slight increase in services provided during 2024.

Client encounters totaled 13,946 – up 156 from the 13,790 client encounters in 2023. Encounters ranged between about 1,000 and 1,300 per month.

These numbers highlight the CCHD’s 2024 annual report, presented Feb. 3 to Canadian County commissioners.

The Pride of El Reno Marching Band’s flag corps performed part of a new routine during halftime of a recent EHS basketball game.

Mayor Steve Jensen presents Donna Dyer of Blessing Baskets with an envelope containing more than $500 raised for the organization at the El Reno Now event.

El Reno Chamber of Commerce Director Karen Nance presented city council members and city staff with personalized plaques recognizing their efforts to improve the community.

The presentation came at the conclusion of the recent El Reno Now gathering.

Plaques were presented to Mayor Steve Jensen, council member Amy Neathery, City Manager Matt Sandidge and Assistant City Manager Tim Young.

Plaques were also made for Vice Mayor David Black and council members Dr. Brian Shafer and Pete Stapperfend. Black was at the gathering but had to leave before it concluded.

James F. Thompson – “Jim” to most, “Jimmy” to a few, “Papa” to five grandchildren – died peacefully at home with his wife, Mary Jane, at his side. 

“I’ll just never understand how I got so lucky having Mary as my wife,” he would often say of his bride of 70 years. 

Born in Chicago on July 27, 1931, and fourth of eight children of Maurice and Blanche Thompson of Calumet, Oklahoma – where he grew up – Jim was preceded in death by his seven siblings: Maurice (Buddy), Helen, Mary Jane, David, Kent Lee, John and Richard. 

Daniel Edward “Danny” Fulton was born July 22, 1950, in Kingfisher.

Danny dedicated his career to OG&E and Enogex as a pipeliner, but his true passions were found in the great outdoors. A kid at heart, he loved any kind of adventure — whether it was hunting, fishing or traveling.

He was a proud Minco Bulldog, winning the state football championship in 1968, and a lifelong fan of the University of Oklahoma and the Kansas City Chiefs. 

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Houston Akers for $2,062.00 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Merys Jimenez for $1,680.06 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Terry Hubbard for $1,229.35 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Amanda Oburn for $5,522.41 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Just when Noble thought it was brewing a possible upset, El Reno High School’s girls basketball team showed why they are the defending Class 5A state champs and District 5A-1 contender.

Holding a slim 10-7 advantage on the Bears with 2:49 left in the first period, El Reno went on an 11-0 break to close the frame and built a double-digit lead it would never relinquish.

The Indians defeated Noble 52-32 to keep pace with Carl Albert for the District 5A-1 lead. The Titans (11-0) lead the league by a game and a half over El Reno (9-1) but have only two outings left.

Riding a string of basket runs to start each of the first three periods, El Reno High School’s boys basketball team thrashed a Noble zone defense en route to an 88-43 road win over the Bears.

The 43-point win gave El Reno the regular-season sweep of the Bears as the Indians moved to 19-1 on the season.

More importantly, it kept EHS in the driver’s seat of the District 5A-1 standings at 11-0.