July 2025

The Caldwell Collection goes wheels up Oct. 4

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In October, a 1943 military hangar at El Reno Regional Airport will once again come alive with the hum of radial engines and the stories of the golden age of aviation.

The newly established nonprofit, The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field, will officially open its hangar doors to the public Oct. 4, during the city of El Reno’s annual Fly-In event.

Tony Caldwell will open The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field on Oct. 4

Carnegie Library combines fitness and reading together with StoryWalk

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El Reno Carnegie Library helped add a new chapter for the community when it combined fitness and reading. The activities came together last week with the opening of the new StoryWalk at Lake El Reno’s Sunset Trail. 

The project, described as innovative, combines literacy, outdoor exploration and family fun. Pages from a children’s picture book are displayed in a series of weatherproof panels spaced along the walking trail, allowing visitors to read the story together while enjoying the lakefront and engaging in healthy activity.

From left, Leslie Hindman, Bridgette Scheffler, Shae Frierson, Kamerin King and D’Ann Hartpence

Celebrating July Fourth

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The City of El Reno held its annual fireworks display at Lake El Reno.

The show lasted for more than 10 minutes with a variety of color bursts and patterns.

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Art in the Park

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El Reno youngsters are having a colorful summer thanks to the El Reno Arts Council Art in the Park program.

Sue Bear with the Arts Council said children are creating all kinds of colorful works of art.

The next activity will be July 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Frank Knight Park.

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C&A Tribes to host 35th OIN Powwow

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For the 35th year, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes will host the annual Oklahoma Indian Nation Powwow in Concho.

The 2025 edition honors “35 years of tradition and culture,” the Tribes announced. The powwow will be Friday to Sunday, Aug. 1-3 in Concho.

The honorees have been announced for this year’s powwow and will include Elder Cheyenne Ruth Yellowman Brooks; Elder Arapaho Eloise Bushyhead Rice; Senior Miss Yanna Yellowfish; Junior Miss Emily La’Miyah Gray; and Little Miss Parker Blessing.

State space agencies dock into Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics

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OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) welcomed the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) on July 1 as the state’s space industry agency merges into the department.

The move, prompted by passage of SB 912 during the 2025 legislative session, is a signal to the nation that Oklahoma intends to launch into a new frontier of space industry development, not only at the Air and Space Port located in Burns Flat, but also across the state.

Pictured is the sign for the Oklahoma Air and Spaceport located at the Clinton-Sherman Airport near the town of Burns Flat

Behind the Meter legislation sparks industrial park, data center development in Chickasha

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CHICKASHA — Jim Cowan, executive director of the Chickasha Economic Development Council, has spent years promoting tourism in a city best known for its giant leg lamp.

That changed 18 months ago when a private developer joined city and state leaders to transform a mile-long road through a wheat field into the center of what they’re calling the “Oklahoma Land Run 2.0.”

If all goes to plan, the field will soon be home to an industrial park, anchored by a data center with its own power plant.

Public Records - 7/9/25

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LAWSUITS

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Dustin Houston for $4,303.59 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Barclays Bank Delaware vs. Chad Campbell for $7,172.27 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Northwest Arkansas Hospitals LLC vs. Ramsey Grasnick for $4,505.91 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Mariner Finance LLC vs. Kasandra Miller for $3,152.18 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

James Harris Mauldin

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Memorial service for James Harris Mauldin will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9 at Mount Zion Church under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

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Harvest a family affair for some

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Farming, for many, has always been considered a family business.

That’s why it’s all hands on deck as local farmers get creative in ways to cut the final acres of the 2025 harvest of red winter wheat.

“It’s all hands on deck, that’s for sure,” said El Reno farmer Steve Jensen.

Jensen, along with brother, Peter and their sons, Carson, John David and Jack joined forces with family cousin, Mike Crowley. The group, including Crowley’s brother-in-law, Larry Schwarz, swarmed a field southwest of Heaston Church with two harvesters, support trucks and grain haulers.

Peter Jensen guides a harvester through a patch of wheat