February 2025

El Reno could see a new car wash built on South Country Club if the city council likes the plan.

The El Reno Municipal Planning Commission sent a 2-2 vote to the council concerning the project proposed by Scott and Rachel Spurger. 

MPC members Gerardo Troncoso, a banker, and Casey Trejo, a realtor, abstained from the vote which requires their actions be cast as a no vote. But neither said they were opposed to the plan. Their professions could simply create a conflict since it’s real estate development. 

Youngsters from Maple School got an up-close look at the Oklahoma Aeronautics Academy at the El Reno Regional Airport this week and folks who operate the flight school said some aviation seeds may have been planted.

“That’s how I got into it,” said Bob Wesner, a flight instructor at the academy. He said his parents introduced him to aviation when he was young and it became part of his life. The same goes for Gabe Goodger, a flight instructor who said he caught the aviation bug after his mother became a flight attendant for American Airlines.

El Reno’s Gemini Industries Inc., an employee-owned manufacturer of innovative wood coating solutions, announced it has acquired Diamond Vogel’s Industrial Wood business unit. 

Gemini officials said the “strategic milestone underscores Gemini’s commitment to advancing quality, innovation and service in the wood coatings industry.”

El Reno High School basketball programs held their annual Pink Out event last week during basketball games against Southeast. Students and supporters helped in the fundraiser event by buying T-shirts or wearing anything pink.

Redlands Community College will host a College and Career Fair, an event designed to help students explore their future academic and career pathways.

The fair will bring together representatives from more than 50 businesses, universities and community resources, offering a valuable opportunity to engage with professionals and learn about various opportunities.

We received the sweetest note via email from Sharon and Jack Dill about the column last week featuring Karen and Larry Nance. They too began their relationship after a meeting at Jobe’s! Here is the story from the Dills.

Memorial service for Tristian Paul Fielder of El Reno will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Party Haven Event Center, 600 Sabra Pass, El Reno.

Tristian passed away Jan. 26, 2025. He was born Oct. 23, 1996, in Denver, Colo. He grew up in El Reno, where he graduated from El Reno High School in 2015 and became a part of his loving community. He often enjoyed his time with nature and family and taught others the joys and practices of fishing and hunting.

He will be remembered for his compassion, sense of humor and loving nature.

There will be a Canadian County Fair Board election after two candidates filed for one seat.

Jason Cooper of El Reno is challenging District 2 fair board member Ken Carpenter of Mustang for the next three-year term on the nine-member board.

Cooper, age 51, filed Jan. 30. The challenger is a cattle rancher and yard foreman at the OKC West Livestock Market.

Carpenter, age 62, filed Jan. 27. The incumbent, an auctioneer and realtor, has served on the fair board since February 2012.

Voters in Canadian County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the March 4 Maple School Special Election should apply now, county election board secretary Allen Arnold said.

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17. Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.

The Canadian County OSU Extension Center will host a free Early Spring Ag Day Seminar. 

The event will be Feb. 14, with the first session starting at 9 a.m. and will focus on Cow Calf Nutrition, presented by Marty New, OSU Extension livestock specialist.

The majority of Oklahoma cow herds are spring calving herds, making this a vital session for cattle producers.

Early spring cropping systems generally have better yields and cash flow for more central Oklahoma farmers.