July 2025

The Filling Station at 120 S. Choctaw celebrated a “soft opening” the morning of May 3. Two months later, the level of activity at the restored Route 66 attraction has been rather eye-opening. 

Already, the renovated 1950s service station has welcomed visitors from 46 states and more than 30 countries. 

Lyndsay Bayne, El Reno Public Information and Marketing Manager, said the response from in and outside El Reno has been “amazing.”

The Roman Nose sisters, Eryn and Violet prayed the Lord’s Prayer in traditional Native American sign language Wednesday morning at The Filling Station in downtown El Reno.

The sisters helped open the celebration of the 35th Oklahoma Indian Nation Pow-Wow that runs this weekend at Concho.

The event was hosted by the city of El Reno as a way to honor the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

El Reno declared August to be OIN Month in El Reno.

More coverage in Wednesday’s Tribune.

The Power of 100 Canadian County is a group of positive, compassionate, community-minded and generous women dedicated to supporting and making a direct impact in our county.

Through the efforts of the members, they believe that when each one gives a little, together they can make a big difference. 

Canadian County appears to be making a significant difference in the lives of children and families involved in the child welfare system.

Associate District Judge Bob Hughey said over the past year, 70 percent of children who exited Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) custody in Canadian County were successfully reunified with their parents — a rate significantly higher than the state average of just 50 percent.

The El Reno High School Band marched into practice mode this week, gearing up to perform during the upcoming school year.

Band director Shane Johnson welcomed some 70 members, including those who will perform with the Flag Corps. 

The EHS band starts the two-week training period each day at 8 a.m., practicing marching routines at the old Central Field until 11 a.m.

They then break for lunch before playing instruments inside the Band Room at Marsh Memorial Building until 3 p.m. A Thursday night practice is held at Memorial Stadium as well.

Redlands Community College introduced Tara Thomas as the new director of Nursing and Allied Health.

Thomas brings more than two decades of nursing education leadership and clinical expertise to her new role.

She is charged with overseeing the college’s nursing program transformation to better align with current workforce needs.

LAWSUITS

Discover Bank vs. Garrett Rudkin for $26,212.53 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Kenneth Carr for $31,950.39 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Planet Home Lending LLC vs. Jill Fulmer and Robert Fulmer for $255,989.66 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 21, Block 2, Ledgestone Phase I Addition, Oklahoma City.

Stearns Bank N.A. vs. Kalin Dyer for $116,742.72 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Services for Alfred D. Tallbird will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday at the Concho Emergency Response Center.

Burial with military honors will follow at the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Alfred died July 25, 2025, at his home in Clinton. He was born May 30, 1942, in Kingfisher.

Seventeen youth ages 6-10 recently attended a Kids Cooking 101 class in El Reno.

Participants received hands-on cooking experience making pancakes, breakfast burritos, sweet Hawaiian mini-burgers, wild-wrapped wieners, English muffin pizzas and ice cream in a bag.

They also learned about measuring dry/wet ingredients and food safety. The kids received goody bags filled with a recipe booklet, measuring spoons/cups and other items. Some items were donated by the Canadian County Health Department and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. 

Reedy Maples Jr., known affectionately as “Joe” to family and friends, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Arbor House in Mustang. He was 89 years old.

A funeral service celebrating Joe’s life will be held at Huber-Benson Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. with Deacon Louis Nix officiating. He will be laid to rest at El Reno Cemetery.